Exploring the impact of pulse loads on the performance of micro power generation gas turbine coupled with flywheel energy storage

This study investigates the impact of rectangular and triangular pulse loads on a 100kW micro gas turbine power generation system integrated with a flywheel energy storage system for naval applications. A MATLAB/Simulink model, validated against experimental data from a DC microgrid platform, analyses key performance parameters including compressor outlet pressure, combustor temperature, turbine speed, and DC bus voltage under varying duty cycles (40 %, 60 %, 80 %) and peak power conditions (32 kW, 70 kW). Results demonstrate that the triangular pulse loads induce gentler transient impacts under the impact of triangular wave and rectangular wave pulse loads with the same energy. The maximum fluctuation rates of the compressor outlet pressure, combustor outlet temperature, turbine speed, and DC bus voltage caused by triangular wave pulse loads were reduced by 0.33 %, 1.81 %, 0.14 %, and 1.31 %, respectively, compared to the rectangular wave pulse loads. Significant reductions are observed in the maximum fluctuation rates of key parameters under a six-pulse triangular wave pulse load with a peak power of 70 kW when the flywheel energy storage system is integrated into the gas turbine generator system. Specifically, compared to the scenario without the flywheel energy storage system, the maximum fluctuation rates of compressor outlet pressure, combustor outlet temperature, turbine speed, and DC bus voltage are reduced by 3.11 %, 8.15 %, 0.73 %, and 3.51 %, respectively. This work provides critical insights for optimizing gas turbine control strategies in marine power systems under pulsed loads, highlighting the synergy between thermal inertia management and the dynamic characteristics of flywheel energy storage system.