Senegal’s domestic fuel reserves shall be mainly used to supply electricity. Authorities count on that home gas infrastructure projects will come online between 2025 and 2026, provided there is not any delay. The monetization of these vital power assets is at the basis of the government’s new gas-to-power ambitions.
In this context, the global know-how group Wärtsilä performed in-depth studies that analyse the financial influence of the varied gas-to-power methods out there to Senegal. Two very different technologies are competing to satisfy the country’s gas-to-power ambitions: Combined-cycle gas generators (CCGT) and Gas engines (ICE).
These research have revealed very important system cost variations between the 2 primary gas-to-power technologies the nation is presently considering. Contrary to prevailing beliefs, gas engines are in fact a lot better suited than mixed cycle gasoline turbines to harness energy from Senegal’s new gasoline resources cost-effectively, the research reveals. Total cost variations between the 2 technologies might attain as much as 480 million USD till 2035 relying on situations.
Two competing and really different applied sciences
The state-of-the-art power mix fashions developed by Wärtsilä, which builds customised vitality situations to identify the cost optimal way to ship new generation capability for a specific nation, shows that ICE and CCGT applied sciences current important price differences for the gas-to-power newbuild program operating to 2035.
Although these two technologies are equally confirmed and dependable, they are very totally different in terms of the profiles in which they can function. CCGT is a know-how that has been developed for the interconnected European electrical energy markets, the place it may possibly operate at 90% load factor always. On the other hand, flexible ICE expertise can operate effectively in all operating profiles, and seamlessly adapt itself to any other era applied sciences that will make up the country’s power mix.
In specific our research reveals that when operating in an electrical energy network of limited size similar to Senegal’s 1GW nationwide grid, relying on CCGTs to considerably expand the network capability can be extremely costly in all possible eventualities.
Cost differences between the applied sciences are defined by a variety of factors. First of all, hot climates negatively influence the output of gas generators greater than it does that of fuel engines.
Secondly, thanks to Senegal’s anticipated access to low-cost home gas, the working costs turn into much less impactful than the investment prices. In เกจวัดแรงดันco2 , as a outcome of low gasoline prices decrease operating prices, it’s financially sound for the country to rely on ICE energy vegetation, that are inexpensive to build.
Technology modularity also performs a key role. Senegal is predicted to require an additional 60-80 MW of technology capability annually to have the flexibility to meet the growing demand. This is way lower than the capacity of typical CCGTs crops which averages 300-400 MW that have to be in-built one go, leading to pointless expenditure. Engine energy vegetation, however, are modular, which suggests they can be constructed exactly as and when the nation wants them, and additional extended when required.
The numbers at play are vital. The model shows that If Senegal chooses to favour CCGT vegetation on the expense of ICE-gas, it’s going to lead to as much as 240 million dollars of additional value for the system by 2035. The value distinction between the applied sciences may even improve to 350 million USD in favor of ICE technology if Senegal additionally chooses to build new renewable vitality capability within the next decade.
Risk-managing potential gasoline infrastructure delays
The development of gas infrastructure is a posh and prolonged endeavour. Program delays are not uncommon, causing fuel provide disruptions that can have an enormous financial impression on the operation of CCGT crops.
Nigeria is conscious of one thing about that. Only last yr, significant gas supply issues have caused shutdowns at a few of the country’s largest fuel turbine power vegetation. Because Gas turbines operate on a continuous combustion course of, they require a continuing supply of fuel and a secure dispatched load to generate consistent energy output. If the availability is disrupted, shutdowns happen, putting an excellent strain on the overall system. ICE-Gas vegetation however, are designed to regulate their operational profile over time and improve system flexibility. Because of their versatile working profile, they had been in a place to preserve a much greater degree of availability
The research took a deep dive to analyse the financial impression of two years delay in the gasoline infrastructure program. It demonstrates that if the nation decides to invest into gasoline engines, the price of fuel delay would be 550 million dollars, whereas a system dominated by CCGTs would result in a staggering 770 million dollars in additional cost.
Whichever method you take a glance at it, new ICE-Gas era capacity will decrease the entire value of electricity in Senegal in all possible situations. If Senegal is to satisfy electricity demand development in a cost-optimal method, no less than 300 MW of latest ICE-Gas capability might be required by 2026.
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