The main objective of the PUMP-HEAT H2020 project is the Development of an integrated, flexibility-oriented Combined Cycle Balance of Plant concept, the PUMP-HEAT Combined Cycle (PHCC). This innovative plant layout is based on the integration of heat pumps and thermal energy storage, to un-tap combined cycle potential flexibility through low-CAPEX balance of plant innovations. In order to assess the added value of using thermal energy storage in the combined cycle, different layouts will be defined at the early stage of PUMP-HEAT. Some will include cold, warm or even hot thermal storage and some will include the latest phase change material (PCM) technologies. To manage this kind of plant, a control algorithm to achieve the best thermo-economic performances considering market requirements, plant efficiency, thermal storage level and operational constraints is mandatory. For this reason, project partners are investigating and developing different control algorithms for the PHCC integrated systems, focusing on flexibility enhancement and power grid operability. Within this framework, Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm for real-time supervision and management of the PHCC is being investigating and will be prototyped, virtually tested at simulation level, verified in hardware-in-the-loop and implemented in the demonstration site. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the global objectives of the project and to give details of control approaches, as well as to present the first results.
