Integrated combined cycle and renewable electrical power generation system

An integrated electrical power plant, comprising:

• an electrical power interconnection point;
• a combined cycle electrical power generation plant configured to provide first electrical power to the electrical power interconnection point;
• a renewable energy electrical power generation plant configured to provide second electrical power to the electrical power interconnection point;
• a thermal energy storage system is configured to provide heat to generate steam to drive a steam turbine of the combined cycle electrical power generation plant;
• a processor, communicatively coupled to the combined cycle electrical power generation plant, the renewable energy electrical power generation plant, and the thermal energy storage system;
• a memory, communicatively coupled to the processor;
• and
• a power adjustment processor, communicatively connected to the processor and the memory, configured to, when operating:
• receive a site power output setpoint for an electrical power interconnection point;
• receive an indication of a total electrical output delivered to the electrical power interconnection point;
• and
• based on a difference between the indication and the site power output setpoint, adjust at least one of:
• the steam generated by the heat delivered from the thermal energy storage system;
• or
• electrical energy delivered by the renewable energy electrical power generation plant to generate thermal energy in the thermal energy storage system.

A method of retrofitting a combined cycle electrical power generation plant, the method comprising:

• providing a thermal energy storage system with a heat exchanger providing heat from thermal energy storage material to steam within a steam circuit of a steam turbine of the combined cycle electrical power generation plant;
• providing a renewable energy electrical power generation plant configured to provide electrical power to:
• the thermal energy storage system configured to store energy received in electrical power as thermal energy in the thermal energy storage material;
• and
• an electrical power interconnection point receiving electrical power from the combined cycle electrical power generation plant;
• providing a controller configured to:
• receive a site power output setpoint for the electrical power interconnection point;
• receive an indication of a total electrical output through the electrical power interconnection point;
• and
• based on a difference between the indication and the site power output setpoint, adjust at least one of:
• the steam generated by the heat delivered from the thermal energy storage system;
• or
• electrical energy delivered by the renewable energy electrical power generation plant to generate thermal energy in the thermal energy storage system.