Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...
Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...
Renewable Energy Technology Assessments - Kauai Island Utility ...
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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 />
Performance and Cost Characteristics<br />
Microturbine costs are often discussed as being about $1,000 per kilowatt.<br />
However, this is typically just the bare engine cost. Auxiliary equipment, engineering,<br />
and construction costs can be significant. Table 3-37 provides performance and cost<br />
characteristics for typical microturbine installations. For reference, the price of fuel is<br />
assumed to be $12/MBtu, which is equivalent to diesel at $1.66/gallon.<br />
Table 3-37. Microturbine <strong>Technology</strong> Characteristics.<br />
Commercial Status Early Commercial<br />
Performance<br />
Net Capacity per Unit, kW 15-60<br />
Net Plant Heat Rate, Btu/kWh 12,200<br />
Capacity Factor, percent 30-70<br />
Economics<br />
Capital Cost, $/kW 1,100-2,000<br />
Variable O&M, $/MWh 13-26<br />
Levelized Cost, $12/MBtu Fuel, $/MWh 234-266<br />
<strong>Kauai</strong> Outlook<br />
Microturbine technology is in early commercialization. Successful demonstration<br />
of the technology has taken place, and there are currently a number of commercial<br />
facilities in operation using this technology. Microturbines are often not selected as the<br />
power generation technology for landfill gas, digester gas, and renewable fuel<br />
applications because of the high capital cost, lower efficiency relative to other conversion<br />
technologies, and specialized O&M requirements. There is potential to use this<br />
technology on <strong>Kauai</strong> in the near-term, although other technologies would likely be more<br />
economic. In the long-term (10-20 years), if R&D efforts yield efficiency gains and<br />
reductions in capital cost, this technology could become a competitive power generation<br />
technology.<br />
3.10.4 Fuel Cell<br />
Fuel cell technology has been developed by government agencies and private<br />
corporations. Fuel cells are an important part of space exploration and are receiving<br />
considerable attention as an alternative power source for automobiles. In addition to<br />
these two applications, fuel cells continue to be considered for power generation for<br />
21 March 2005 3-83 Black & Veatch
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