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Regional Resource Center - Distributed Technology Comparison
The distributed technology comparison allows a user to compare fuel cells to other distributed technologies including microturbines, combustion turbines, reciprocating engines, photovoltaic systems, and wind turbines. Fuel cells feature the highest efficiency, exceptional heat rates, flexible fuel sources, and low to no emissions. Fuel cells using hydrogen generated from renewable resources are emission free and offer superior efficiency when used in combined heat and power applications.
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Capstone MicroTurbine |
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| Distributed Technology Comparative Analysis |
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Fuel Cells |
Microturbines |
Combustion Turbines |
Reciprocating Engines |
Photovoltaic Systems |
Wind Turbines |
| Size Range (kW) |
100 - 2,400 |
25 - 500 |
300 - 10,000 |
1 - 10,000 |
< 1 - 100 |
0.2 - 5,000 |
| Fuel |
Natural gas,
hydrogen,
landfill gas,
digester gas |
Natural gas,
hydrogen,
propane, diesel |
Natural gas,
landfill gas |
Natural gas,
diesel, landfill
gas, digester
gas |
Sunlight |
Wind |
| Average Efficiency (%) |
45 |
39 |
31 |
36 |
12 |
30 |
| Combined Heat and Power Efficiency |
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| Average Installed Cost ($/kW) |
5,500 |
1,000 |
1,125 |
1,000 |
10,000 |
2,000 |
| Average Heat Rate (Btu/kWh) |
7,693 |
12,200 |
11,000 |
9,100 |
N/A |
N/A |
| Average O&M Cost ($/kWh) |
0.03 |
0.014 |
0.024 |
0.025 |
0.002 |
0.01 |
| Average Nox Emissions (lb/kWh) (1) |
0.000015 |
0.00049 |
0.0012 |
0.0097 |
0 |
0 |
| Average CO2 Emissions (lb/kWh) (1) |
0.85 |
1.19 |
1.15 |
1.21 |
0 |
0 |
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(1) Nationwide utility averages for emissions from generating plants are 0.005 lb/kWh of NOx and 1.2 lb/kWh of CO2.
Although the electric conversion efficiency of the prime mover does not change, CHP significantly improves the fuel utilization efficiency of a DG system with some efficiencies up to 89 percent.
Sources:
Federal Emergency Management Plan: Regional Reliability Plan for Mission Critical Facilities in Southwestrn Connecticut (2009), Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc.
California distributed energy resource guide http://www.energy.ca.gov/distgen/equipment/energy_storage/energy_storage.html
UTC Power
FuelCell Energy, Inc
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Photographic Information Exchange:
Capstone MicroTurbine NREL PIX 08130
Reciprocating Engine NREL PIX 15756
Spire Solar Panels NREL PIX 13785
Minnkota Wind Project NREL PIX 12302
Siemens SGT5-800H Gas Turbine
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