Monitoring Microturbine Generators Installed in the South Coast Air Basin

Microturbine generators offer an interesting early commercial strategy for implementation of distributed generation. Through a program sponsored by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), 207 microturbines of 30 and 60kW output are deployed or in the process of being deployed at 47 sites throughout the SCAQMD. These units are being monitored for general operational characteristics such as hours operated, number of starts, total output. In addition, several of the sites have been outfitted with additional sensors that facilitate the collection of efficiency information. Performance results from two of these sites are presented along with corresponding economic evaluation. The results indicate that actual performance does not reach the manufacturer’s specifications and that the recent increases in natural gas prices have increased the projected payback period for the equipment.