ABSTRACT:
Capital cost estimates have been prepared for oil-fueled, high efficiency combined gas turbine/steam turbine power plants in five regions of the United States: Great Lakes, Southwest, Western (at two locations), Northeast, and Southeast. These plants are designed to burn liquid fuels, either distillate (kerosene and No. 2 distillate) or ash-bearing (blended residuals, crudes, and heavy residuals).

Plants have either a nominal net combined power output of 250 MWe for a single unit installation or 500 MWe for a two unit installation consisting of two 250 MWe units. All plants are designed to meet present day environmental regulations, EPA New Source Performance Standards; and in addition, one of the Western plants--located in the Southern California Metropolitan Area (Los Angeles)--is designed to meet the special pollutant limitations in that area.

Capital costs for the 250 MWe plant expressed in 1976 dollars range from $306/kW for a Southwestern plant burning distillate fuel to $417/kW for a remote Western plant burning residual fuel. The costs in $/kW for the 500 MWe plants are about five percent lower. Cost estimates were based on information from recent and current construction projects for both conventional and combined cycle plants, and incorporate present day criteria regarding releases to the environment. The costs also include an allowance for funds during construction and other owner costs.

Trends in future development of combined cycle plants are also discussed.