Assessment of the Emissions due to Cogeneration Microturbines under Different Operation Modes

The increasing diffusion of small-scale cogeneration technologies such as Microturbines (MTs) requires a careful assessment of the energy efficiency and the environmental impact of the plant solutions, especially if installed in urban areas with strict air quality standards. This paper deals with the local and global emission characteristics from clusters of MTs in different operation modes. The analysis is carried out on a set of specific MTs following various electrical loads. The outcomes show that the operational regulation strategy within a cluster of a given MT typology has a strong impact on the resulting emissions, with significant differences depending on the type of pollutant and on the relevant MT emission profiles.