Gas turbine CHP systems — CHP units based on gas turbines suitable for medium to large power and heat demand.

Gas turbine CHP systems are a cornerstone of large-scale industrial and utility-grade power generation. These systems use a gas turbine to generate electricity, with the hot exhaust gas from the turbine being a valuable byproduct. Instead of releasing this high-temperature gas into the atmosphere, a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) captures its thermal energy to produce steam. This steam can then be used for a wide range of industrial processes, space heating, or even to drive another steam turbine for additional electricity generation.  This elegant two-stage process makes gas turbine CHP an exceptionally efficient way to produce both power and heat from a single fuel source.

The Advantages of Gas Turbine CHP
Gas turbine CHP systems are chosen for large-scale applications due to several key advantages:

High Power Output: Gas turbines are capable of producing a massive amount of electricity, making them ideal for energy-intensive industrial facilities, large campuses, and even as a source of distributed generation for the public grid.

Operational Flexibility: Modern gas turbines can start up and shut down relatively quickly, allowing them to respond to changes in energy demand. This flexibility is crucial for industries with variable power needs and also for providing grid balancing services that support the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources.

Fuel Versatility: While typically fueled by natural gas, many gas turbines can be adapted to run on a variety of other fuels, including liquid fuels, syngas, and, increasingly, hydrogen and its blends. This fuel flexibility future-proofs the investment and aligns with long-term decarbonization strategies.

Reduced Emissions: Compared to traditional separate heat and power systems, gas turbine CHP produces significantly lower overall emissions per unit of useful energy. The high efficiency reduces the amount of fuel burned, leading to less carbon dioxide (CO 
2
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 ) and other pollutants.

Common Applications
Gas turbine CHP systems are most commonly found in environments where there is a constant and significant demand for both electricity and high-temperature process heat.

Manufacturing and Industrial Plants: Industries like chemical processing, paper mills, refineries, and food and beverage production are major users. The steam produced by the system is used for various processes, from distillation and drying to pasteurization.

Large Commercial and Institutional Campuses: Universities, hospitals, and large office parks use gas turbine CHP to provide a reliable source of power and to heat and cool their buildings, significantly lowering their energy bills and increasing their energy resilience.

District Energy Systems: These systems use gas turbine CHP to produce electricity for a city or neighborhood and distribute the waste heat through a network of underground pipes to provide heating and hot water to multiple buildings, creating a highly efficient and decentralized energy model.

In essence, gas turbine CHP systems are a powerful and versatile technology that provides a foundational solution for industries and communities that require both a reliable source of electricity and a large amount of thermal energy.