Electrical performance characteristics of a new micro-turbine generator

This paper presents the results of an investigation regarding the electrical performance characteristics of a new, three-phase, 480 V (L-L), 30 kW, micro-turbine generator and its suitability as an electrical power source for applications at the electrical power distribution voltage level. This unit is fueled by natural gas and may be used as a dispersed generation source. The unit was purchased by the local utility company and given to the University of Nevada, Reno, USA, for the investigation. The Electrical Machine and the Power System Laboratory was used to perform the study. Testing was performed at several load set-point levels. The investigation includes the turbine behavior under a weak system that consists of the micro-turbine, a variable three-phase load, and a three-phase 15 kVA synchronous machine in the laboratory. The speed of this machine is controlled by a fuzzy logic algorithm. Conclusions are made regarding the suitability of the unit as a distributed generation source.