The Capstone microturbine is a turboshaft engine with a single coupled shaft carrying the compressor, turbine, and generator. The faster the shaft spins in the magnetic field, the greater the electrical output power. Output power conditioning is obtained using inverter based power electronics.

What is a Capstone microturbine?

The Capstone Microturbine Capstone power generation solutions help to improve operations by putting the end-user in control of their energy costs. Capstone Microturbines operate on a variety of fuels, including natural gas, associated gas, biogas, LPG/propane, and liquid fuels (diesel, kerosene, and aviation fuel).

How much does a Capstone microturbine cost?

Microturbine capital costs range from $700–$1,100/kW. These costs include all hardware, associated manuals, software, and initial training….D. Economics of Microturbines.

What does capstone green energy do?

Capstone Green Energy Corporation is a leading provider of customized microgrid solutions and on-site energy technology systems focused on helping customers around the globe meet their carbon reduction, energy savings and resiliency goals.

What is a MicroTurbine system?

Microturbines are relatively small combustion turbines that can use gaseous or liquid fuels. In CHP applications, thermal energy from micro- turbine exhaust is recovered to produce either hot water or low pressure steam.

How do microturbines work?

In micro turbines, the compressor draws the air into a recuperator, which acts as an air-to-air heat exchanger, recovering the heat from exhaust gas. Heating of the combustion air increases the micro turbine’s electric efficiency. The heated air is passed into the combustor chamber, into which fuel is also injected.

How fast do micro turbines spin?

As a consequence of their small size, micro-turbines and their generators operate at very high rotational speeds, typically between 40,000 rev/min and 120,000 rev/min. Generators rotating at these speeds cannot be connected directly to the grid.

How big is a microturbine?

Microturbines are 25 to 500 kilowatt gas turbines evolved from piston engine turbochargers, aircraft auxiliary power units (APU) or small jet engines, the size of a refrigerator. Early turbines of 30-70 kW grew to 200-250 kW.

How much energy does a microturbine produce?

Since each individual microturbine produces anywhere from 15 to 300 kilowatts (kW) of energy, they are often grouped to produce the required energy for a given application. Most microturbines are about the size of a refrigerator and have very low nitrogen oxide emissions.

What is the range of output power in microturbine?

25 to 500 kW
Electrical efficiency of the microturbine is 20%–30% and the power range is from 25 to 500 kW [2]. Microturbines are often used in large commercial buildings such as hotels, schools, and offices.

What happens when grid frequency drops?

High power demand, low energy availability If we feed in too little to meet demand, the frequency drops. This is because, if the frequency falls too much, the power plants switch off one after another, until there is a complete collapse of the grid, i.e. a power blackout.

Why choose Capstone microturbines?

By integrating an innovative turbine engine, magnetic generator, advanced power electronics, and patented air bearing technology, Capstone microturbines continue to define the standard for clean and reliable energy solutions.

Who is Capstone Turbine Corporation?

Capstone Turbine Corporation® is the world’s leading producer of low-emission microturbine systems. Learn more › As a five-star luxury hotel, the world-renowned Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia utilizes Capstone microturbines to generate the hotel’s own onsite power. View Case Study

What type of lubrication does the Capstone CMT-380 microturbine use?

Capstone Turbine’s CMT-380’s 30kW microturbine features an electric generator and turbine components mounted on a single shaft, which is supported by air bearings – so there are no liquids to lubricate or cool the microturbine.

What is Capstone’s CMT-380 hybrid car?

Capstone Turbine Corporation has shown off its high performance hybrid electric car, the CMT-380, at the LA Auto Show. The car features a 30kW microturbine that extends the range of its traditional EV batteries, and which the company likens to having an ultra-clean and quiet jet engine under the hood.