U. S. utilities missing out on synch mode of operation

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · Gas Turbine World; (United States)

OSTI ID:7223532

Until the last 1 to 2 years few domestic utilities in the United States and even fewer consultants have given much thought to using gas turbine plants as synchronous reactors for power factor correction--even though it's done routinely throughout the rest of the world. The problem U.S. utilities (and others) face is to maintain voltage stability during peaking periods, when the demand begins to exceed system generating capacity, and then during off-peak hours control climbing voltages as the load drops. Utilities with this problem can go to fixed shunt reactors which typically cost around $10 per MVAR and which can be located where needed most in the system--or, if operating gas turbines, in effect temporarily ''disconnect'' some of the units from the generation system to be run as synchronous reactors. In this mode the electric generator of a gas turbine plant can deliver roughly 70 percent of the full load nameplate rating in MVAR's. The feasibility of using single-shaft heavy industrial gas turbines and two-shaft industrialized aircraft derivative machines is discussed.

• OSTI ID: 7223532
• Journal Information: Gas Turbine World; (United States), Journal Name: Gas Turbine World; (United States) Vol. 6:5; ISSN GTWOD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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