Operating Experience With a 240 kW Microturbine Combined Heating, Cooling and Power System

Abstract

A 240 kWe integrated microturbine chiller/heater power system was installed on the campus of the University of Toronto at Mississauga (UTM) in 2005 to provide heating or cooling in combination with electric power generation. The system consists of four 60 kWe microturbines fueled by natural gas and a 110 refrigeration ton (389 kW) lithium bromide absorption chiller that utilizes waste heat from the microturbines. The chiller can be operated in cooling mode to supply chilled water in summer for cooling, or in heating mode to supply hot water (140°F or 60°C) in winter for heating. Campus requirements for electrical power, heating and cooling are presented. Results from operating experience over a two year period 2005–2006 are presented. Recommendations are provided to guide future installations to make full use of the equipment’s potential.

Trigeneration: A comprehensive review based on prime movers

“…Studies where only energy analysis has been conducted were presented by [71][72][73][74][75]77]. A plant design of a novel trigeneration microturbine combined cycle for ice production was proposed by Lear et al [71].…”

“…Ja¨a¨skela¨inen and Wallace [77] investigated a trigeneration plant that used a 240 kW microturbine as a prime mover. The economical analysis of this plant revealed that it was not attractive to utilize due to high natural gas prices and low electricity rates.…”

“…Energy and economical analyses studies were carried out by [76][77][78][79][80][81][82]. Ja¨a¨skela¨inen and Wallace [77] investigated a trigeneration plant that used a 240 kW microturbine as a prime mover.…”