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Gas turbines can be used in a variety of configurations. These include:
- Simple-cycle operation, in which a single gas turbine produces power only
- Cooling, heating, and power (CHP) operation, in which a simple-cycle gas turbine with a heat recovery heat exchanger recovers the heat in the turbine exhaust and converts it to useful thermal energy, usually in the form of steam or hot water
- Combined-cycle operation, in which high-pressure steam is generated from recovered exhaust heat and used to create additional power using a steam turbine.
Some combined cycles extract steam at an intermediate pressure for use in industrial processes and are combined-cycle CHP systems.
Gas turbines of 1-20 MW will play a critical role in the field of distributed energy. After phasing out the Advanced Turbine Systems Program (1992-2000) and the potential introduction of the Mercury 50 product, the program has two primary research areas: advanced materials and low emissions.
On July 3, 2000, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded $13 million to nine industrial partnerships for research and development on turbines used in distributed power generation. Five projects were awarded $6 million over 2 years for research in low-emission gas turbines. Industrial partners will share nearly 40% of the cost. Four projects received $7 million for research and development in advanced materials for industrial gas turbines. Industry cost share is nearly 50%. The awards focus on research and development intended to be commercialized.
For more information, see:
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