Combustion Turbines

Gas turbines are relatively inexpensive compared with other DER technologies. Capital costs range from $300-$1000/kW and tend to increase with decreasing power output. Compared with reciprocating engines, combustion turbines tend to cost more for smaller sizes and less at the larger sizes. Capital costs have remained fairly stable recently, showing less than a 5% increase over the past 3 years.

Installation costs, Balance of Plant (BOP) equipment costs and other miscellaneous costs increase first costs by 30-50%. Unless a CT can connect directly to a high-pressure pipeline, a natural gas compressor (one example of a BOP device) is needed to meet minimum pressure requirements of the combustion turbine - compressors increase first costs by 5-10%. Adding heat recovery capabilities increases the capital cost by $100-$200/kW. Including other balance-of-plant components, the typical installed cost of a mid-sized gas turbine with a heat recovery unit is in the $1,000-$1,200/kW range.

The pie chart shows an example breakdown of the total installed cost of a 15 MW combustion turbine.

* The values in this chart are representative of a single combustion turbine installation. Individual installation values may vary.