Gas Fired Electricity
Generation
combustion chamber and the hot exhaust gases
produced drive the ‘gas’ turbine. The gas turbine
rotates at a high speed to drive the generator
What makes combined cycle
power stations more efficient?
the electricity is converted down to a safer level of
fridges, toasters, and washing machines.
Gas is a major source of electricity generation.
which creates electricity.
The process of capturing the heat from the hot
There are two main types of gas fired electricity
Combined Cycle Gas Turbine
CCGT power stations very efficient. Capturing and
generation plants. These are:
• Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT)
In a CCGT power plant, the gas turbine cycle
• Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT)
is combined with a steam turbine cycle. The hot
Open Cycle Gas Turbine
exhaust gas from the gas turbine engine is captured
in a type of boiler called a “Heat Recovery Steam
exhaust gases of the gas turbine engine makes
240 volts, which is used to power all our electrical
appliances including televisions, game consoles,
reusing the heat from the hot exhaust gas delivers
EnergyAustralia Gas Fired
Electricity Generation
significant improvements in the power station’s
EnergyAustralia Tallawarra is a a highly efficient
efficiency, as the heat energy is converted to create
‘combined cycle’ natural gas power station located
additional electrical energy.
on the shores of Lake Illawarra in New South Wales.
It commenced operation in January 2009 and is
Like our Hallett station, the OCGT power plant
Generator” (HRSG). The HRSG uses the hot exhaust
consists only of a gas turbine engine to generate
gases from the gas turbine engine to boil water
electricity. A gas turbine engine operates in a
into steam. The steam is then fed into a “steam
similar way to a jumbo jet engine. Air is sucked
turbine” which rotates at high speed to drive a
The electricity generated at a power station is
70% less greenhouse gas than traditional coal-fired
into the engine intake and then compressed.
generator, creating more electricity, in addition
transformed into higher voltages used to transport
power stations.
The compressed air is ignited using fuel in the
to the gas turbine.
electricity to the power grids via the transmission
With a generation capacity of 435MW, EnergyAustralia
lines you see next to our highways and freeways.
Tallawarra generates enough power to supply up to
When it nears our homes, businesses and schools,
200,000 homes.
How do our homes get electricity
from the power station?
one of Australia’s most environmentally efficient,
large-scale gas-fired power station, emitting up to
A Combined Cycle Gas Fired Power Station
A Exhaust stack
H Intermediate pressure steam
B Heat Recovery
I Low pressure steam
C Gas Turbine
J Gas burner
Useful links
D Generator
K Cooling pond
L Condensate
Natural Gas supply Association
E Steam Turbines
F Condenser
G Hig pressure steam
M Feed pump
http://www.naturalgas.org
N Transformer
EnergyAustralia Pty Ltd
ABN 99 086 014 968
Locked Bag 14060
Melbourne VIC 8001
Energy Information Sheets