MID-SIZED NEW GENERATION: RECIPROCATING INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES OR COMBUSTION TURBINE?

摘要

Abstract For any new natural gas-fired power generation project, a developer or owner must wrestle with the question “what is the right technology?”. For very small projects, the answer often defaults to reciprocating engines. For very large projects, it is combustion turbines in a combined cycle configuration. But for the facilities in between, the right answer is not always so clear. This paper compares reciprocating engines to simple cycle combustion turbines for a nominal 50 MW gas-fired plant in the Midwest, connected to the electric grid. It evaluates capital costs, operating costs, reliability, operational flexibility, system responsiveness to dispatch requirements, and site considerations.