|
The U.S. Department of Energy is developing advanced, natural gas-fired reciprocating engine systems for distributed energy (DE) applications in industrial, commercial, and utility settings.
A mission of the program is to lead a national effort to design, develop, test, and demonstrate a new generation of reciprocating engine systems for DE applications that are cleaner, more affordable, more reliable, and more efficient than products commercially available today.
Planned activities focus on the following performance targets for the next generation of reciprocating engines:
- High efficiency
The target for fuel-to-electricity efficiency (low heating value) is 50% by 2010—a 30% increase over today's average efficiency.
- Environment
Engine improvements in efficiency, combustion, strategy, and emissions will substantially reduce overall emissions to the environment. The NOx target for the advanced natural gas reciprocating engine is 0.1g/hp-hr, a 95% decrease from today's NOx emissions rate with no deterioration of other criteria or HAPS emission.
- Fuel flexibility
Natural gas-fired engines are to be adaptable to future firing with dual-fuel capabilities. Dual-fuel options may be considered in the design.
- Cost of power
The target for busbar energy costs, including operation and maintenance costs, is 10% less than current state-of-the-art engine systems while meeting new projected environmental requirements.
- Availability, reliability, and maintainability
The goal is to maintain levels equivalent to current state-of-the-art systems.
|
