Assessment of integrated gasification combined cycle technology competitiveness

In this work, a parametric cost-benefit analysis concerning the use of integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) technology (with and without carbon capture and storage) is carried out. For the analysis, the IPP optimization software is used in which the electricity unit cost from various power generation technologies is calculated. For comparison purposes, the Rankine cycle (with heavy fuel oil or coal as fuel) and the combined cycle (with natural gas or gasoil as fuel) technologies are also examined. The parametric study carried out, using a range of load factors from 50% to 90% and a range of efficiencies for IGCC technology between 40% and 55%, yields encouraging results for the viability of this emerging technology.