Optimal operation of a 30kW natural gas microturbine cluster

This paper discusses optimal operation strategies of a 30 kW natural gas microturbine (MT) cluster for electrical load-following applications. The cluster operation assures a good operational flexibility, but, at the same time, also the aspect of the partial-load MT characteristics, in terms of energy efficiency and pollutant emissions has to be taken into consideration. In particular, the experimental results show that the NOx and CO emissions are higher when the MT is operated below its rated capacity. Under these circumstances, the Evolutionary Algorithm has been employed in order to optimize the operation of this cluster from the point of view of the pollutant emissions and fuel consumption.