As renewable energy generation continues to integrate into the grid, the demand for flexible operation in coal-fired power plants has significantly increased. However, increasing flexibility often results in decreased economic efficiency. In order to improve the operational economy of coal-fired power plants, a mechanism-driven, data-driven digital twin model for direct air-cooled units was established. Real-time data was utilized to identify key dynamic parameters in the twin model, and an optimal backpressure calculation method was proposed based on this model. This method leveraged a high-precision twin model to correct key parameters in the backpressure optimization process through historical data regression. Correlation analysis was employed to estimate the existing range of optimal fan speeds under different conditions, and an adaptive particle swarm optimization algorithm was used to optimize the net power fitness function. This enabled rapid optimization of optimal backpressure and corresponding fan speed based on the physical action laws of the system. The proposed optimal backpressure calculation method was applied to a 600 MW direct air-cooled unit. Research results show that the application of digital twin technology enhances model accuracy, reducing the average relative error of output results to below 2% compared to traditional fitting methods, with a Pearson correlation coefficient exceeding 0.9. It is concluded that the optimal backpressure and corresponding fan speed obtained through the above methods provide operational guidance for power plants, contributing to reduced fuel consumption and improved economic efficiency of the units. It is estimated that 6.82 tons of standard coal are saved daily.
CHEN Wei-wei, HAN Xiao-ming, GUO Zhi-peng, WEI Long-fei.
Back Pressure Operation Optimization of Direct Air-cooled Units Based on Digital Twins[J].
Science Technology and Engineering, 2026, 26(10): 4201-4211 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2505699
所提出的冷端数字孪生过程如图1所示。首先,通过传感器与可编程逻辑控制器(programmable logic controller,PLC)采集现场数据,利用用于过程控制的对象链接与嵌入协议(object linking and embedding for process control,OPC)实现实时数据通信,采集到的数据进行预处理后存储至电厂数据库中。
ZhaoJunhua, BaiYan, WangZhidong. Key issues and prospects of low-carbon operation and dispatching in new power systems from the perspective of electricity-carbon coupling[J]. Electric Power Construction, 2025, 46(7): 133-149.
ZhaoWenqing, LiXuehan, KongDean, et al. Wind-fire-storage cooperative frequency regulation strategy based on multi-objective optimization and active disturbance rejection control[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2025, 25(27): 11651-11662.
HanHengda, LongYan, XuJun, et al. Construction of flexibility standard system for coal-fired power generation[J]. Clean Coal Technology, 2024(9): 26-32.
GaoTengfei, LuFuping, MenFengchen, et al. Analysis of energy-saving potential for cold end optimization of 600 MW units[J]. Steam Turbine Technology, 2021, 63(5): 369-372.
AnLiuming, AnJizhen, LiuYifan, et al. Research on variable operating conditions characteristics of 600 MW direct air condenser[J]. Power Generation Technology, 2022, 43(6): 935-941.
GuanShuo. A calculation method for the operating back pressure of steam turbines in direct air-cooled systems[J]. Science Technology and Engineering, 2019, 19(29): 124-129.
ZhangBo, ChangXueming, SunXiandong, et al. Operation optimization of cold end system of waste incineration power generation unit[J]. Thermal Power Engineering, 2025, 40 (10): 150-161.
[15]
常刘平. 直接空冷发电机组冷端优化[D]. 南昌: 南昌大学, 2020.
[16]
ChangLiuping. Cold end optimization of direct air cooled generator set[D]. Nanchang: Nanchang University, 2020.
[17]
LiX, WangN, WangL, et al. A data-driven model for the air-cooling condenser of thermal power plants based on data reconciliation and support vector regression[J]. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2018, 129: 1496-1507.
ZhaiYongjie, MiLu, LiuJinlong. Calculation method and application of optimal back pressure of direct air cooling unit[J]. Chinese Journal of Power Engineering, 2016(7): 575-582.
AnLiuming, NieChunming, ChenHeng, et al. Back pressure operation optimization of 600 MW direct air-cooled unit based on random forest[J]. Thermal Power Generation, 2021(7): 100-107.
ZhangBei, MaHuan, SiFengqi, et al. Research on economic back pressure of direct air-cooled units considering cluster effect[J]. Proceedings of the CSEE, 2018(19): 5779-5786.
ZhouXiang, HeXing, ChenYun, et al. Design and practice of digital twin framework for virtual power plants in super-large cities[J]. Power Grid Technology, 2024, 48(7): 2681-2690, 3673.
YanXingyu, GaoCiwei, ChenTao, et al. Framework design of digital twin virtual power plant system and its practical prospect[J]. Proceedings of the CSEE, 2023(2): 604-619.
[28]
ZhaoG, CuiZ, XuJ, et al. Hybrid modeling-based digital twin for performance optimization with flexible operation in the direct air-cooling power unit[J]. Energy, 2022, 254. DOI: 10.1016/J.ENERGY.2022.124492.
[29]
XuB, WangJ, WangX, et al. A case study of digital-twin-modelling analysis on power-plant-performance optimizations[J]. Clean Energy, 2019, 3(3): 227-234.
[30]
JingX, CuiZ P, MaS X, et al. Data based digital twin for operational performance optimization in CFB boilers[J]. Energy, 2024, 306: 132532-132532.
[31]
ChenC, LiuM, LiM J, et al. Digital twin modeling and operation optimization of the steam turbine system of thermal power plants[J]. Energy, 2024, 290. DOI: 10.1016/J.ENERGY.2023.129969.
[32]
GrievesM. Digital twin: manufacturing excellence through virtual factory replication[J]. White Paper, 2014, 1(2014): 1-7.
[33]
TaoF, XiaoB, QiQ, et al. Digital twin modeling[J]. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 2022, 64: 372-389.
[34]
YuW, PatrosP, YoungB, et al. Energy digital twin technology for industrial energy management: classification, challenges and future[J]. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2022, 161. DOI: 10.1016/J.RSER.2022.112407.
[35]
张怡. 基于经济模型预测控制的直接空冷机组冷端系统优化研究[D]. 南京: 东南大学, 2020.
[36]
ZhangYi. Research on optimization of cold end system of direct air-cooled unit based on economic model predictive control[D]. Nanjing: Southeast University, 2020.
HuangYihan, HaoLing, ChenLei. Mathematical model of extraction condensing steam turbine applicable to multiple primary frequency modulation techniques and operating conditions[J]. Proceedings of the CSEE, 2024(15): 6065-6078.
SunYuzhen, LiKang, GuoHaowen, et al. Model identification of load control system for ultra-supercritical units based on improved particle swarm[J]. Thermal Power Engineering, 2019(8): 71-79.