Development of models for analyzing the load-following performance of microturbines and fuel cells

Utility restructuring, technology evolution, public environmental policy, and expanding power demand are providing the opportunity for microturbines and fuel cells to become important energy resources. Deregulation has begun to allow for the provision of various ancillary services, such as load-following. In order to investigate the ancillary services ability of these units in distribution systems, new simulation tools are needed. This paper presents simplified slow dynamic models for microturbines and fuel cells. Their stand-alone dynamic performances are analyzed and evaluated. A distribution system embedded with a microturbine plant and an integrated fuel cell power plant is used as an example. The control strategy and load-following service in this distribution system are simulated. It is illustrated that microturbines and fuel cells are capable of providing load-following service, significantly enhancing their economic value. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.