Gas Fired Electricity Generation

Gas is a major source of electricity generation. There are two main types of gas red electricity generation plants. These are: Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT)

combustion chamber and the hot exhaust gases produced drive the gas turbine. The gas turbine rotates at a high speed to drive the generator which creates electricity.

What makes combined cycle power stations more efficient?

The process of capturing the heat from the hot exhaust gases of the gas turbine engine makes CCGT power stations very efficient. Capturing and reusing the heat from the hot exhaust gas delivers signicant improvements in the power stations efficiency, as the heat energy is converted to create additional electrical energy.

the electricity is converted down to a safer level of 240 volts, which is used to power all our electrical appliances including televisions, game consoles, fridges, toasters, and washing machines.

Combined Cycle Gas Turbine

In a CCGT power plant, the gas turbine cycle is combined with a steam turbine cycle. The hot exhaust gas from the gas turbine engine is captured in a type of boiler called a Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG). The HRSG uses the hot exhaust gases from the gas turbine engine to boil water into steam. The steam is then fed into a steam turbine which rotates at high speed to drive a generator, creating more electricity, in addition to the gas turbine.

EnergyAustralia Gas Fired Electricity Generation

EnergyAustralia Tallawarra is a a highly efficient combined cycle natural gas power station located on the shores of Lake Illawarra in New South Wales. It commenced operation in January 2009 and is one of Australias most environmentally efficient, large-scale gas-red power station, emitting up to 70% less greenhouse gas than traditional coal-red power stations. With a generation capacity of 435MW, EnergyAustralia Tallawarra generates enough power to supply up to 200,000 homes.

Open Cycle Gas Turbine

Like our Hallett station, the OCGT power plant consists only of a gas turbine engine to generate electricity. A gas turbine engine operates in a similar way to a jumbo jet engine. Air is sucked into the engine intake and then compressed. The compressed air is ignited using fuel in the

How do our homes get electricity from the power station?

The electricity generated at a power station is transformed into higher voltages used to transport electricity to the power grids via the transmission lines you see next to our highways and freeways. When it nears our homes, businesses and schools,

A Combined Cycle Gas Fired Power Station

A Exhaust stack B Heat Recovery C Gas Turbine D Generator E Steam Turbines F Condenser G Hig pressure steam H Intermediate pressure steam I Low pressure steam J Gas burner K Cooling pond L Condensate M Feed pump N Transformer

Useful links
Natural Gas Supply Association
http://www.naturalgas.org

EnergyAustralia Pty Ltd

ABN 99 086 014 968 Locked Bag 14060 Melbourne VIC 8001

Energy Information Sheets