Many companies dont realize that they can generate their own power on-site and in a cleaner and more cost-effective way.
The Importance of Fuel Flexibility
Darren Jamison | Capstone Turbine
Please tell us a bit about Capstone microturbines and why they are important in the energy mix of the future?
Why is fuel flexibility critical as we continue to use nonrenewable resources?
Capstone microturbines can run on many types of fuels including natural gas, propane, diesel, methane, butane, kerosene and associated gas—almost anything with a BTU content that burns. In an age of diminishing natural resources, the kind of fuel flexibility presented by microturbines is critical because many different kinds of businesses, in order to maintain and grow their bottom line, must be able to generate power in the most efficient and financially prudent manner. Many companies don’t realize that they can generate their own power on-site and in a cleaner and more cost-effective way. Some companies assume that when they move into a building or facility they must purchase power from the local utility. The reality is that Capstone microturbines can often generate power at a significantly cheaper price per kWh than what businesses pay their utility.
Is adapting to one type of renewable energy an important step toward improving the environment and encouraging the population to decrease its carbon footprint?
What are some of the best applications for microturbines? How much power can they provide?
What is a typical payback / cost for a microturbine installation?
- The Ritz-Carlton San Francisco, which installed a combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) system several years ago. The four Capstone C65 microturbines generate electricity and heat to provide power and air-conditioning to support much of the hotel. By doing so, the hotel has reduced its power consumption by 20 percent and saved about $120,000 annually in energy costs.
- The den Dulk Dairy in Michigan, which installed a Capstone CR30 microturbine capable of converting manure from 1,000 of its cows into 30kW of clean, green electricity. In addition, heat from the process is reused to heat the farm’s 700-square-foot concrete liquid/ solid separator building.
- The Giant Company’s Ramon Station located between Roswell and Vaughn, New Mexico, at a 5,300-foot elevation. Capstone installed 15 65kW standalone microturbines. Fueled by propane, the microturbines are providing primary power for three 200-horsepower pumps capable of pumping 55,500 barrels of oil per day.
- The Villa Olmi Resort in Florence, Italy, which utilizes three 65 kW Capstone microturbines with integrated heat recovery for hot water production. The system provides heat to the building and swimming pool, and utilizes an absorption chiller for cooling in the summer. The onsite power system is also able to operate independently of the utility grid to provide backup power for the resort in case of a power outage.
How can converting free fuels from landfills, wastewater treatment facilities and food processing facilities create clean and reliable electricity?
The unreliable nature of some alternative energy sources has led to slow adoption. Is there a way to change this?
How can technologies such as microturbines enable consumers and businesses to decrease their environmental impact while also saving money?
The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of AltEnergyMag
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