Apparatus for starting up combined cycle power systems and method for assembling same

A steam conduit heating system comprising:

• at least one electric heating element coupled to at least a portion of a steam conduit;
• and
• at least one conduit heating controller operatively coupled to said at least one heating element and programmed to vary a rate of temperature change in the portion of the steam conduit, wherein said at least one controller is further programmed to vary the rate of temperature change in the portion of the steam conduit as a function of at least one of:
• a mass of the portion of the steam conduit;
• and
• a shape of the portion of the steam conduit.

A combined cycle power generation system comprising:

• a gas turbine coupled to a first generator;
• a steam turbine coupled to a second generator;
• a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) coupled to said steam turbine and said gas turbine, said HRSG coupled in flow communication to said steam turbine via at least one steam conduit;
• a conduit heating system coupled to a portion of said at least one steam conduit, said conduit heating system comprising:
• at least one electric heating element;
• and
• at least one controller operatively coupled to said at least one heating element and programmed to vary a rate of temperature change in said portion of said at least one steam conduit.