COMPONENTS OF THE ENERGY WEB

Combined-Cycle Turbines.

Combined-Cycle Turbines. One of the best reasons to choose distributed power over traditional grid-supplied power is the ability to recover heat from power generation. In this process, engines, turbines or microturbines are coupled with "boilers, absorption chillers, desiccant equipment and communication and control systems." The heat from the generation of power is used to "operate heating, cooling and humidity control devices or to maximize the production and concentration of methane in biogas, overcoming the limitations of conventional digestion methods." (Steve Blankenship, March 2003, Distributed Generation. Power Engineering Magazine, p. 26-31) These factors, along with a readily available supply of cheap natural gas and low capital costs, have helped combined-cycle plants become the leading source of new electric capacity in the United States and abroad.

LINKS

Distributed Energy Resources — Combined Cooling, heating and power microsite of the EERE.

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