Distributed Generation Testing Protocols and Performance Database with an Emphasis on Combined Heat and Power Applications
Distributed Generation Testing Protocols
Distributed generation (DG) systems offer significant benefits such as reduced line losses and improved combined heat and power (CHP) capability. However, the lack of accurate, unbiased performance data impedes their implementation. To address this need, protocols are being developed for laboratory testing, field testing, long-term monitoring, and case studies of microturbines, reciprocating engines (including Stirling engines), fuel cells, and small turbines up to 3 MW.
The laboratory test, field test, and long-term monitoring protocols establish procedures for assessing the electrical, thermal, and environmental performance of DG-CHP systems. In addition to this, field test protocols and long-term monitoring protocols specify procedures to evaluate the operational performance (reliability, availability, maintainability, and durability) of the DG-CHP systems. Case study protocols investigate financial as well as certain qualitative aspects of DG-CHP systems.
Site Use Options
- Download Protocol
- Distributed Generation Performance Database
- Submitting Data and Reports to the Database
- Related Web Sites
- Inquire about this site
- Inquire about this project
Download Protocol
Interim protocols have been developed covering microturbines, reciprocating engines, and small turbines up to 3 MW, and are available for downloading as PDF files. Download Acrobat Reader.
- Interim Laboratory Testing Protocol (PDF 1.37 MB)
- Interim Field Testing Protocol (PDF 1.32 MB)
- Interim Long-term Monitoring Protocol (PDF 443 KB)
- Interim Case Study Protocol (PDF 565 KB)
The Gas Research Institute (GTI) and the Southern Research Institute (SRI) have contributed substantially to the development of these protocols. The SRI report validating the interim field testing protocol is currently available in the database (click here to access the report). The GTI report validating the interim laboratory testing protocol is also available for download (click here to access this report).
Interim versions of the protocols covering fuel cells will be available in late 2006. Final versions of the protocols covering microturbines, reciprocating engines, and small turbines will be available in 2007. Protocol development is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the California Energy Commission, the Energy Center of Wisconsin, the New York State Research and Development Authority, and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. State organizations are working through the Association of State Energy Research and Technology Transfer Institutions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is also providing support through a separate working relationship.
Distributed Generation Performance Database
Click on this link, Go To Database, to gain access to the Distributed Generation Performance Database where you can review and download DG system performance test reports. This resource currently contains data collected utilizing the interim protocols (see the links to the documents above). It will be modified as needed to reflect the final protocols when available. The database also stores sets of high-level data that you can query to view a snapshot of the results of each test, making it easy to select test reports of interest to you. No final reports are available for long-term monitoring sites because they do not have an end date. High-level data for these sites are available and are updated regularly to reflect the latest site operation. For more detailed data about long-term monitoring sites, users are provided a link to a Web site run by the company in charge of continuously collecting and storing data from these sites.
Submitting Data and Reports to the Database
If you have a distributed electrical generation system that has been or is being tested according to one of the Distributed Generation Testing Protocols, you can apply to submit your test data and report to the Distributed Generation Performance Database. Just fill out a short form, and you will be contacted to discuss your test.
Additional Information
Expanded Protocol Descriptions
Laboratory and Field Test Protocols
Laboratory test protocols cover microturbines from 10 to 250kW capacity, and reciprocating engines and small turbines up to 3 MW. The laboratory performance testing is done for a specific set of limited conditions, and allows more efficient fine-tuning and evaluation than is possible in the field. Laboratory data will have inherently greater accuracy than field data, and as a result, and provides the basis against which field protocols can be checked.
Field Testing Protocol
The field test protocol was designed for microturbines as well as reciprocating engines up to 2.5MW capacity. Field test protocols for small turbines up to 7MW capacity as well as fuel cell laboratory and field protocols will be developed in a future effort, as funds are identified. The field performance testing is for a wider set of equipment configurations and operating conditions than laboratory testing, some of which cannot be controlled to the same degree of accuracy as they are in the laboratory.
Long-term Monitoring Protocol
Like field testing, long-term monitoring (LTM) of DG/CHP unit performance is done at real-world applications; unlike field testing, LTM is expected to be in effect continuously without an explicit completion date. The instrumentation stipulated by the protocol is intended to be a permanent part of the system; and so the cost to support LTM is a more important consideration.
Case Study Protocol
Selected LTM sites will be assessed in project case studies. Case studies are unique because their goal is to assess financial measures (e.g. energy cost, equipment cost) and certain qualitative aspects (e.g. major reasons to install DG/CHP, lessons learned from the installation) of DG/CHP performance.
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Content Last Updated: 12/04/2006 |