The process for converting the energy in a fuel into electric power involves the

creation of mechanical work, which is then transformed into electric power by a

generator in a "simple cycle", causing efficiency losses in the process. Depending on
the fuel type and thermodynamic process, the overall efficiency of this conversion is
typically around 30 – 40%. This means that a significant amount of the latent energy of
the fuel ends up wasted. Much of this wasted energy ends up as thermal energy in the
hot exhaust gases from the combustion process.
The term “combined cycle” refers to the combining of multiple thermodynamic
cycles to generate power. Combined cycle operation employs a heat recovery steam
generator (HRSG) that captures heat from high temperature exhaust gases to produce
steam, which is then supplied to a steam turbine to generate additional electric power.
In combined cycle mode, power plants can achieve electrical efficiencies of up to 60
percent. The process for creating steam to produce work using a steam turbine is based
on the Rankine cycle.
Generally combined cycles are made up of two cycles. One is gas turbine cycle
and another one is Rankine cycle. This gas turbine cycle may be simple gas turbine or
inter cooling or reheating or regeneration gas turbine cycle and Rankine cycle maybe
simple Rankine cycle or reheat or regeneration Rankine cycle.

In the power generation method characterized by the standalone operation of

a gas turbine, known as the simple or open cycle, releases exhaust gas at
temperatures of around 600℃ into the atmosphere.
Combined cycle power generation improves the general thermal efficiency of
the plant by recovering this high temperature exhaust gas. Many combined
cycle power generation plants adopt a waste heat recovery cycle in which
exhaust gas from the gas turbine is led to the waste heat recovery boiler to
generate steam using recovered heat to drive the steam turbine

Advantages:
High level of thermal efficiency
In comparison with thermal efficiency of about 40% in steam power generation,
combined cycle power generation features a thermal efficiency of at least 60% (with
both figures on the lower heating value basis).
Environmentally-friendly
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is released in smaller quantities into the atmosphere.
Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur oxides (SOx) are released in smaller quantities into
the atmosphere.
High temperature wastewater is discharged in smaller quantities into the sea.

How a combined cycle power plant produces electricity

This is how a combined-cycle plant works to produce electricity and captures waste
heat from the gas turbine to increase efficiency and electrical output.

1) Gas turbine burns fuel:

The gas turbine compresses air and mixes it with fuel that is heated to a very high
temperature. The hot air-fuel mixture moves through the gas turbine blades, making
them spin.
The fast-spinning turbine drives a generator that converts a portion of the spinning
energy into electricity.
2) Heat recovery system captures exhaust:

A heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) captures exhaust heat from the gas turbine
that would otherwise escape through the exhaust stack.
The HRSG creates steam from the gas turbine exhaust heat and delivers it to the steam
turbine.
3) Steam turbine delivers additional electricity:

The steam turbine sends its energy to the generator drive shaft, where it is converted
into additional electricity.

https://power.mhi.com/products/gtcc
https://www.ge.com/gas-power/resources/education/combined-cycle-power-plants
https://www.wartsila.com/energy/learn-more/technical-comparisons/combined-cycle-
plant-for-power-generation-introduction