Episode 24 | Tiny Turbines | Capstone Turbine Corporation
In this week's episode, I wanted to discuss Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems, or the process of using waste heat to increase energy efficiency.
For utilities, power plants have utilized combined cycle processes for years. That is the process by which heat from a turbine creates steam for a smaller turbine. This typically involves a heat exchanger called heat recovery steam generator (HRSG).
Our guest today, Capstone Turbine Corporation, has taken the CHP concept and miniaturized it. Their technology is called a "microturbine" and it is essentially a generator that can run on a variety of fuels, then take waste heat and run water heaters. Capstone also produces Combined Cooling Heat and Power systems which add an absorption chiller to also created cooling.
I first learned about Capstone through a co-worker, who believes microturbines could be an excellent complement to Boilers, allowing them to run more efficiently. Capstone claims their products are 90% efficient vs. 30% efficiency from electric utilities, which the efficiencies gained from the absence of transmission and the heat recovery components.
For our interview, I spoke to Jim Crouse, Capstone's VP of Sales and Marketing. We discussed the role microturbines can play in a "microgrid" environment and how microturbines don't have to necessarily be at odds with electric utilities.
As I have discussed with other guests, I believe these units can serve a useful purpose in areas where utility-fed power is unavailable. These include the developing world, such as Africa, where Capstone has developed projects. It was also refreshing to see Capstone make use of flared natural gas from oilfield operations. This is one of the biggest wastes in our energy policy, and Capstone's solution is a perfect fit. Jim and I also discussed what it means to both design and manufacture these units in Southern California, as opposed to overseas.
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