Power Plant Cycles: Evolution towards More Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Technologies

Andrés Meana-Fernández (), Juan M. González-Caballín, Roberto Martínez-Pérez, Francisco J. Rubio-Serrano and Antonio J. Gutiérrez-Trashorras
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Andrés Meana-Fernández: Department of Energy, Escuela Politécnica de Ingeniería de Gijón, Edificio Departamental Este, University of Oviedo, C/Wifredo Ricart, s/n, 33204 Gijón, Spain
Juan M. González-Caballín: Department of Energy, Escuela Politécnica de Ingeniería de Gijón, Edificio Departamental Este, University of Oviedo, C/Wifredo Ricart, s/n, 33204 Gijón, Spain
Roberto Martínez-Pérez: Department of Energy, Escuela Politécnica de Ingeniería de Gijón, Edificio Departamental Este, University of Oviedo, C/Wifredo Ricart, s/n, 33204 Gijón, Spain
Francisco J. Rubio-Serrano: IMASA, Ingeniería y Proyectos, S.A. Carpinteros 12, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain
Antonio J. Gutiérrez-Trashorras: Department of Energy, Escuela Politécnica de Ingeniería de Gijón, Edificio Departamental Este, University of Oviedo, C/Wifredo Ricart, s/n, 33204 Gijón, Spain

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 23, 1-27

Abstract: The scarcity of energy and water resources and rising temperatures due to climate change has set the focus on improving the energy efficiency of power plant thermodynamic cycles to adapt to higher heat sink temperatures and use fewer resources for energy production. In this work, a review of power production thermodynamic cycles is presented: from Brayton to Rankine and combined cycles, alongside particular cycles such as Organic Rankine Cycles, Kalina, Goswami or the more recently developed Hygroscopic Cycle. The efficiency of these cycles and their possible improvements are considered, as well as their environmental impact. Costs associated with existing power plants found in the literature have also been included in the study. The main existing facilities for each cycle type are assessed, and the most sustainable options in terms of resource consumption (fuel, water, etc.) and future perspectives to ensure both their energy efficiency and sustainability are identified.

Keywords: power cycles; thermodynamic cycles; energy sustainability; water consumption; energy efficiency; energy generation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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