Chapter 3 - Microturbine application and performance

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the application and performance of microturbines. Microturbines are well suited for a variety of distributed generation applications due to their flexibility in connection methods, ability to be arranged in parallel to serve larger loads, ability to provide reliable power, and low emissions profile. Commercial/institutional buildings and light industrial facilities whose electrical loads and space heating, hot water, or other thermal needs occur at the same time are usually best suited for microturbine combined heat and power (CHP) applications. Primary applications for microturbine CHP in the commercial/institutional sectors are those building types with relatively high and coincident electric and hot water demand, such as colleges and universities, hospitals and nursing homes, and lodging buildings. Office buildings and certain warehousing and mercantile/service applications also may be economic applications for microturbine CHP systems because noise and emissions are often siting and permitting issues Primary CHP applications in the light industrial market include food processing, chemicals manufacturing, and plastics-forming plants with hot water or low-pressure steam demands. Heat-activated cooling, refrigeration, and desiccant technologies that are now being developed for use with engine-driven systems will broaden microturbine CHP applications by increasing the thermal energy loads in certain building types such as restaurants, supermarkets, offices, and refrigerated warehouses. Potential microturbine applications include premium and remote power, as well as grid support. The target customers for microturbine system applications are in light industrial facilities and in financial services, data processing, telecommunications, health care, lodging, retail, offices, schools, and other commercial or institutional buildings.