Subtask 3.12 - Small power systems. Semi-annual report, July 1--December 31, 1996

One of the overall goals of the US Department of Energy (DOE) is the development of the technology necessary to provide for a secure, reliable, affordable, and environmentally sound source of energy. This technology is important to ensure economic stability and growth in the next century as well as to reduce current and minimize future environmental impact associated with power generation in the US and the world. Throughout the world, coal will play an expanded role in the production of affordable energy necessary to meet the demands of economic development and growth. The development of more efficient and environmentally sound technology in the US may present export market opportunities throughout the world. For coal to play a key role in the energy mix, it will be necessary to develop and commercialize technologies capable of producing electricity at significantly higher overall system efficiencies with minimum emissions. A number of demonstration projects addressing these needs for large utility plants are being performed under the Clean Coal Technology Program. A need also exists for smaller (20-kW to 20-MW) systems to satisfy the needs of remote-site markets. Many of these markets are in areas where a small increment of power is needed to meet demand, and the installation of transmission lines to bring in the power is not practical or economical. Diesel engines have traditionally filled this market niche; however, some of the advanced power systems currently under development could provide power more economically and with reduced environmental risk. Innovative solutions to barrier issues that are in some measure common to all advanced power system processes can be developed and demonstrated more economically and effectively in small-scale systems.