Adding Energy Storage to the Combined Cycle

The efficient natural gas Combined Cycle Power Plant (CCPP) has driven a substantial reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, while gas turbine peaking plants also provide backup for variable renewable resources. As more wind and solar generation is added to grids around the world, there is a need for more flexible CCPPs with faster startup and ramping capability, storage of increasingly over-abundant renewable energy, and lower GHG emissions from dispatchable power plants. Novel integration of energy storage with the CCPP can meet these needs at lower cost than alternatives like batteries.