Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...
Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ... Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...
Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative Renewable Energy Technology Assessments 3.0 Renewable Energy Technology Options Applications Simple cycle combustion turbines are the power generation technology of choice for peaking service in the current domestic power industry. Simple cycle technology provides many of the same positive attributes as reciprocating engines, including rapid startup and modularity for ease of maintenance. In addition, combustion turbines have several advantages over reciprocating engines, including lower emissions and lower capital cost. Fuel Flexibility Like the reciprocating engine, simple cycle turbines are a conventional technology that can be adapted to burn renewable fuels. Simple cycle turbines can burn natural gas, diesel, propane, biogas and some bioderivative fuels such as biodiesel, ethanol and bio-oil. It should be noted, however, that manufacturers of combustion turbines do not necessarily encourage such fuel flexibility, and burning of alternative fuels may void warranty coverage. Performance and Cost Characteristics Generic performance and cost estimates for small simple cycle combustion turbines are listed in Table 3-36. For reference, the price of fuel is assumed to be $12/MBtu, which is equivalent to diesel at $1.66/gallon. Table 3-36. Simple Cycle Combustion Turbine Technology Characteristics. Commercial Status Commercial Performance Net Plant Capacity, kW 300-10,000 Net Plant Heat Rate, Btu/kWh, 11,000 Capacity Factor, percent 30-70 Economics Capital Cost, $/kW 700-2,000 Variable O&M, $/MWh 20-33 Levelized Cost, $12/MBtu Fuel, $/MWh 217-256 Kauai Outlook There is significant potential to utilize combustion turbines with renewable fuels in Kauai. Like engine generators, the simple cycle turbine is a versatile power conversion machine that is well suited for use with a variety of renewable fuels. 21 March 2005 3-80 Black & Veatch
Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative Renewable Energy Technology Assessments 3.0 Renewable Energy Technology Options Combustion turbines have been successfully used in a number of landfill gas, digester gas, and alternative fuel applications around the world. The decision between engine generators and combustion turbines usually comes down to size. Combustion turbines are often preferred for applications greater than 5 MW, and engine generators for smaller sizes. 3.10.3 Microturbine The microturbine is essentially a small version of the combustion turbine. It is typically offered in the size range of 30 to 60 kW. These turbines were initially developed in the 1960’s by Allison Engine Co. for ground transportation. The first major field trial of this technology was in 1971 with the installation of turbines in six Greyhound buses. By 1978, the busses had traveled more than a million miles and the turbine engine was viewed by Greyhound management as a technical breakthrough. Since this initial application, microturbines have been used in many applications including small scale electric and heat generation in industry, waste recovery, and continued use in electric vehicles. Operating Principles Microturbines operate on a similar principle to that of larger combustion turbines. Atmospheric air is compressed and heated with the combustion of fuel, then expanded across turbine blades which in turn operate a generator to produce power. The turbine blades operate at very high speed in these units, up to 100,000 rpm, versus the slower speeds observed in large combustion turbines. Another key difference between the large combustion turbines and the microturbines is that the compressor, turbine, generator, and electric conditioning equipment are all contained in a single unit about the size of a refrigerator, versus a unit about the size of a rail car. The thermal efficiency of these smaller units is currently in the range of 20 to 30 percent, depending on manufacturer, ambient conditions, and the need for fuel compression; however, efforts are underway to increase the thermal efficiency of these units to around 40 percent. 21 March 2005 3-81 Black & Veatch
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Kaua’i <strong>Island</strong> <strong>Utility</strong> Cooperative<br />
<strong>Renewable</strong> <strong>Energy</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> <strong>Assessments</strong> 3.0 <strong>Renewable</strong> <strong>Energy</strong> <strong>Technology</strong> Options<br />
Combustion turbines have been successfully used in a number of landfill gas, digester<br />
gas, and alternative fuel applications around the world.<br />
The decision between engine generators and combustion turbines usually comes<br />
down to size. Combustion turbines are often preferred for applications greater than 5<br />
MW, and engine generators for smaller sizes.<br />
3.10.3 Microturbine<br />
The microturbine is essentially a small version of the combustion turbine. It is<br />
typically offered in the size range of 30 to 60 kW. These turbines were initially<br />
developed in the 1960’s by Allison Engine Co. for ground transportation. The first major<br />
field trial of this technology was in 1971 with the installation of turbines in six<br />
Greyhound buses. By 1978, the busses had traveled more than a million miles and the<br />
turbine engine was viewed by Greyhound management as a technical breakthrough.<br />
Since this initial application, microturbines have been used in many applications<br />
including small scale electric and heat generation in industry, waste recovery, and<br />
continued use in electric vehicles.<br />
Operating Principles<br />
Microturbines operate on a similar principle to that of larger combustion turbines.<br />
Atmospheric air is compressed and heated with the combustion of fuel, then expanded<br />
across turbine blades which in turn operate a generator to produce power. The turbine<br />
blades operate at very high speed in these units, up to 100,000 rpm, versus the slower<br />
speeds observed in large combustion turbines. Another key difference between the large<br />
combustion turbines and the microturbines is that the compressor, turbine, generator, and<br />
electric conditioning equipment are all contained in a single unit about the size of a<br />
refrigerator, versus a unit about the size of a rail car. The thermal efficiency of these<br />
smaller units is currently in the range of 20 to 30 percent, depending on manufacturer,<br />
ambient conditions, and the need for fuel compression; however, efforts are underway to<br />
increase the thermal efficiency of these units to around 40 percent.<br />
21 March 2005 3-81 Black & Veatch
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