The use of sustainable combined cycle technologies in Cyprus: a case study for the use of LOTHECO cycle

In this work, a cost–benefit analysis concerning the use of the low temperature heat combined cycle (LOTHECO cycle) in Cyprus is carried out. Also, the expected main emissions from the LOTHECO cycle are compared with existing commercial technologies. In particular, the future generation system of Cyprus power industry is simulated by the independent power producers optimization algorithm and by the long-term expansion software Wien Automatic System Planning. Various conventional generation options are examined and compared with LOTHECO cycle parametric studies. The economic analysis, based on the assumptions used and the candidate technologies examined, indicated that in the case of conventional technologies the least cost solution is the natural gas combined cycle. Additional computer runs with the various LOTHECO cycle parametric studies indicated that for efficiencies greater than 60% and capital cost between 700 and 900 €/kW, LOTHECO cycle is the least cost generation technology. Furthermore, the current state and future improvements of the environmental indicators of the power industry in Cyprus are presented. It is estimated that by the use of LOTHECO cycle instead of the business as usual scenario, the principal environmental indicators would be reduced by the year 2010 by approximately −23% instead of −8%. Further, the carbon dioxide environmental indicator will be reduced by +24% instead of +68%.