Combined Heat & Power (CHP) Modeling: Advanced 5-Day Training Course

Course Overview

This specialized Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Modeling training program delivers comprehensive expertise for energy professionals across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Oman, GCC countries (UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain), and Africa. The course covers cogeneration fundamentals, thermodynamic cycles, CHP technologies, performance modeling, economic analysis, and optimization strategies essential for designing efficient, sustainable power and thermal energy systems in industrial, commercial, and utility sectors.

With the Middle East and Africa investing over $100 billion in power infrastructure, this training addresses critical competencies for professionals at Saudi Aramco, SABIC, SEC, PDO, ADNOC, DEWA, achieving 70-90% fuel efficiency supporting Saudi Vision 2030, UAE Energy Strategy 2050, and regional decarbonization goals.

Target Audience

• Power Engineers designing CHP systems in Saudi Arabia, Oman, GCC, Africa

• Energy Managers optimizing industrial energy systems

• Process Engineers integrating CHP with facilities

• Utility Engineers in refineries, petrochemical plants

• Project Engineers evaluating cogeneration investments

• Sustainability Managers reducing carbon footprint

• Operations Personnel managing combined cycle plants

Day 1: CHP Fundamentals & Thermodynamic Principles

Morning Session: Introduction to Cogeneration

• CHP definition: simultaneous electricity and thermal energy production

• Benefits: 70-90% fuel efficiency, emissions reduction, cost savings, reliability

• Applications: refineries (Saudi Aramco), petrochemicals (SABIC), desalination (SWCC)

• Power-to-heat ratios for different technologies

• Regulatory framework: Saudi Arabia, Oman, GCC utility policies, grid connection

• Case studies: SATORP cogeneration, Shuqaiq IWPP, African industrial CHP

Afternoon Session: Thermodynamic Cycles

• First and second laws: energy conservation, entropy, exergy concepts

• Rankine cycle: steam cycle fundamentals, reheat, regenerative configurations

• Brayton cycle: gas turbine components, compressor, combustor, turbine

• Combined cycle: gas turbine + steam cycle integration, HRSG configurations

• Performance parameters: thermal, electrical, overall efficiency, fuel utilization factor

• Exergy analysis: identifying irreversibilities, second-law efficiency

• Workshop: Thermodynamic cycle calculations for CHP

Day 2: CHP Technologies & Equipment

Morning Session: Gas Turbine & Steam Turbine CHP

• Gas turbine cogeneration: simple cycle with heat recovery, most common in GCC

• Gas turbine types: Frame, aeroderivative for different applications

• HRSG design: unfired, supplementary fired, multi-pressure configurations

• Combined cycle efficiency: up to 60% electrical + thermal output

• Major suppliers: GE, Siemens, Mitsubishi widely deployed in Middle East

• Steam turbine types: backpressure, extraction, condensing turbines

• Fuel flexibility: natural gas (GCC primary), diesel, syngas for Africa

• Emissions control: DLN combustors, SCR for environmental compliance

Afternoon Session: Reciprocating Engines & Alternatives

• Reciprocating engine CHP: 35-45% electrical efficiency, 100 kW - 10 MW range

• Heat recovery: jacket water, exhaust gas, lube oil cooling

• Microturbines: 30-300 kW, compact, low maintenance

• Fuel cells: SOFC, MCFC for high-efficiency applications

• Waste heat to power: ORC, Kalina cycle for low-temperature recovery

• Trigeneration (CCHP): cooling, heating, power with absorption chillers

• Solar-CHP hybrids: CSP integration, PV + gas turbine

• Case studies: Engine CHP in Nigeria, UAE microturbines, Saudi IWPP

Day 3: CHP System Modeling & Simulation

Morning Session: Modeling Fundamentals

• Modeling objectives: performance prediction, optimization, economic evaluation

• Component modeling: energy and mass balances

• Off-design performance: part-load, ambient temperature effects (45-50°C in GCC)

• Simulation software: Aspen HYSYS, EBSILON, Thermoflex, GT PRO

• Building models: gas turbine, HRSG, steam turbine configuration

• Input parameters: fuel specs, ambient conditions, efficiencies

• Output analysis: power, thermal output, fuel consumption, emissions

• Workshop: Building basic CHP model

Afternoon Session: Advanced Modeling

• Combined cycle modeling: integrated gas turbine-HRSG-steam turbine

• Multi-pressure HRSG optimization

• Part-load curves: characteristic performance throughout load range

• Heat integration: pinch analysis, process integration

• Steam network modeling with headers and letdown stations

• Dynamic modeling: transient behavior, startup/shutdown

• Optimization modeling: efficiency maximization, cost minimization

• Workshop: Advanced combined cycle modeling with optimization

Day 4: Economic Analysis & Feasibility Studies

Morning Session: CHP Economics

• Capital costs: equipment, installation, balance of plant

• Gas turbine costs: $/kW for different sizes (5-300 MW)

• Regional cost factors: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Africa construction

• Operating costs: fuel, O&M, labor, consumables

• Fuel costs: GCC natural gas pricing, African diesel costs

• O&M schedules: combustion inspections (8,000-12,000 hrs), major overhauls (24,000-48,000 hrs)

• Revenue streams: electricity savings/sales, thermal energy value

• Electricity tariffs: Saudi Arabia (18-32 SAR/MWh), GCC, Africa

• Spark spread analysis: electricity price minus fuel cost

Afternoon Session: Financial Analysis

• Financial metrics: NPV, IRR, payback period

• Discount rates: GCC (6-10%), Africa (12-18%)

• LCOE: levelized cost of electricity and thermal energy

• Cash flow analysis: revenues, costs, depreciation, taxes

• Sensitivity analysis: fuel price, electricity price, capacity factor impacts

• Risk assessment: fuel supply, regulatory, technology, market risks

• Feasibility framework: technical, economic, environmental assessment

• Case studies: Saudi Aramco CHP economics, Oman industrial feasibility

• Workshop: Complete economic analysis using spreadsheet models

Day 5: Performance Optimization & Future Technologies

Morning Session: CHP Optimization

• Operational optimization: load dispatch, part-load operation

• Thermal storage: hot water, steam accumulators for load shifting

• Efficiency improvements: inlet air cooling, steam injection (critical for GCC heat)

• 15-20% power loss at 50°C ambient temperature mitigation

• Advanced control: load following, grid synchronization, frequency regulation

• Digitalization: SCADA, optimization software, machine learning, digital twins

• Fuel optimization: switching capability, hydrogen blending readiness

• Retrofit opportunities: repowering, adding HRSG, turbine upgrades

• Case studies: Saudi power plant improvements, ADNOC optimizations

Afternoon Session: Emerging Technologies

• Hydrogen-ready turbines: blending up to 100% hydrogen capability

• Saudi hydrogen economy: green/blue hydrogen integration

• CCUS integration: carbon capture from CHP exhaust

• NEOM hydrogen hub, UAE carbon capture initiatives

• Hybrid renewable-CHP: solar + CHP, wind + CHP with battery storage

• Waste-to-energy CHP: municipal waste, biomass for Africa

• Distributed energy: microgrids, virtual power plants, grid services

• Decarbonization pathways: CHP role in energy transition

• Regional alignment: Saudi Green Initiative (278 Mt CO2 reduction), UAE Net Zero 2050

• Final project: Comprehensive CHP design, modeling, feasibility study presentation

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion, participants will be able to:

• Understand thermodynamic principles underlying CHP cycles

• Select appropriate CHP technology based on application requirements

• Model CHP systems using industry-standard simulation software

• Conduct economic feasibility studies with financial analysis

• Optimize CHP performance for efficiency and cost objectives

• Evaluate integration with industrial processes and district energy

• Assess emerging technologies: hydrogen, CCUS, renewable hybrids

• Develop business cases supporting CHP investment decisions

Course Delivery & Certification

• Format: Technical lectures, thermodynamic workshops, software demos, economic modeling, case studies

• Software: Hands-on with CHP simulation tools (Thermoflex/EBSILON/Aspen HYSYS demos)

• Materials: Manual, thermodynamic tables, cost databases, economic templates, case studies

• Certification: Professional certificate recognized across KSA, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Africa

• Language: English (Arabic support available)

• CPD Credits: Continuing professional development for engineers

• Locations: Riyadh, Dhahran, Jubail (KSA), Muscat (Oman), Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Lagos, Cairo, Johannesburg

Why This Course is Strategic

The GCC industrial sector consumes massive electricity and steam simultaneously—ideal for CHP. Saudi Aramco operates over 10 GW cogeneration capacity. IWPP projects combine power, water, industrial steam. African development requires efficient distributed generation. CHP achieves 30-40% fuel savings versus separate generation—critical for economic competitiveness and meeting carbon reduction commitments.

This training delivers practical expertise incorporating international standards, GE/Siemens turbine technologies, Saudi Aramco practices, addressing extreme ambient temperatures, fuel availability, water-energy nexus, supporting Saudi Vision 2030 energy efficiency targets (13% by 2030) and regional sustainability transformation.

Master cogeneration. Optimize energy. Power the future sustainably.