Microturbines

Commercial microturbines used for power generation range in size from about 25 kW to 500 kW. They produce both heat and electricity on a relatively small scale. The fuel-energy-to-electrical-conversion efficiencies are in the range of 20 to 30%. These efficiencies are attained when using a recuperator (a device that captures waste heat to improve the efficiency of the compressor stage). Cogeneration is an option in many cases as a microturbine is located at the point-of-power utilization. The combined thermal electrical efficiency of microturbines in such cogeneration applications can reach as high as 85% depending on the heat process requirements. Unrecuperated microturbines have lower electrical efficiencies at around 15%.