Gas-Fired Distributed Energy Resource Technology Characterizations

Abstract

As a follow-up, DOE EERE-joined by the Gas Research Institute-is now publishing this document, Gas-Fired Distributed Energy Resource Technology Characterizations. The Gas Research Institute (GRI) has long had a considerable program of R&D aimed at developing commercially viable natural-gas-fired distributed generation systems and transitioning them to commercial partners. Because of this R&D, DOE invited GRI to collaborate on this report, and GRI designated its primary contractor, the Gas Technology Institute, as technical reviewer of the technology characterization chapters. This report describes the current status and future potential of six natural gas-fired distributed energy resource technologies through the year 2030. The six DER power technologies are: Reciprocating engines Small industrial gas turbines (1 MW to 40 MW) Microturbines Small steam turbines Fuel Cells Stirling engines While these technologies are capable of utilizing a variety of fuels in a range of applications, the focus for these characterizations are in electric power and combined heat and power (CHP) applications using natural gas. 1.2 Technology Characterization Approach A three-step approach was used to develop the TCs. In the first step, the best available information was compiled by the authors, based on their knowledge and experience from years of direct involvement in distributed energy, and then reviewed by experts to produce a set of six draft distributed energy TCs. The next step involved extensive peer review of the TCs data. An initial peer review was conducted over the Internet using a password-protected Web site during a three-month period. Invited participants were asked to provide detailed review of one or several TCs based on their areas of expertise. Reviewers included technology manufacturers, equipment

Economic and sensitivity analyses of dynamic distributed generation dispatch to reduce building energy cost

“…However, other commercially available technologies have different performance and financial characteristics [8] that could change the conclusions of economic analysis associated with them. With a need to understand the economics of DG technology in general as opposed to the economics associated with a single generator type, a parametric study was first developed to explore the effects of changing the various performance and financial characteristics of the DG system.…”

“…While the portion of capital cost associated with the purchase price of a specific generator is well defined, the portion of capital cost associated with installation labor, materials, construction management, and other fees can vary depending on the complexity of installation; capital costs can be significantly increased if the installation of the generator is difficult. Similarly, O&M costs may contain additional charges, such as the departing load charge used by Southern California Edison, that increase O&M charges beyond what is required to meet basic O&M costs [8]. The parameter ranges were selected based on reports of current and projected DG capabilities [8,9].…”

“…Similarly, O&M costs may contain additional charges, such as the departing load charge used by Southern California Edison, that increase O&M charges beyond what is required to meet basic O&M costs [8]. The parameter ranges were selected based on reports of current and projected DG capabilities [8,9]. The selected parameter ranges encompass typical gas turbine, microturbine, reciprocating engine and fuel cell system values for these parameters.…”

“…These technologies include small gas turbines (GT), microturbine generators (MTG), and fuel cells (FC) [8]. In addition to electricity, many of these technologies can provide a source of high grade heat for combined heat and power (CHP) [9][10][11].…”

Dynamic distributed generation dispatch strategy for lowering the cost of building energy

“…Distributed generation (DG) technologies that use natural gas are commercially available today, including small gas turbine (GT) systems, microturbine generators (MTG), and fuel cells (FC) [1]. Most of these systems produce electricity and high grade heat for combined heat and power (CHP) applications [2][3][4].…”