Thermal Energy Storage and Inlet Air Cooling for Combined Cycle

The paper will discuss the application of Thermal Energy Storage (TES) using ice and inlet air cooling at the Fayetteville (North Carolina, USA) Public Works Commission (PWC) Butler-Warner Generation Plant. The Butler-Warner Generating Plant consists of eight General Electric Frame 5 combustion turbines and a single steam turbine. Six of the combustion turbines exhaust through three Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG). The project consisted of modifying the inlets of all eight combustion turbines to accommodate plate fin cooling coils and new air filters; and the design and construction of the TES ice production and storage facilities. A feasibility study was completed in June 1992. Detail designed began in August 1992. Initial operation was June 1993. The modifications have been completed and the plant has experienced a 29% capacity increase as a result of the project.