Enhancing the reliability of renewable energy systems in telecom applications through closed cycle vapor turbogenerators

Hybrid power systems configured to use such pseudorandom renewable fuel sources and non-renewable fossil fuels have been in operation since the early 1980s in Africa, Antarctica, USA, Argentina and many other places. The authors have been investigating the performance of hybrid systems where the closed cycle vapor turbogenerator (CCVT) is the fossil fuel based electrical generator. The paper describes selected projects with hybrid systems using CCVTs since 1982, such as the hybrid wind generator/CCVT powered telecommunications link between Comodoro Rivadavia and Rio Grande in Argentina and the photovoltaic/CCVT system in the Comoros Islands. The impact on sizing, operating characteristics, maintenance requirements, and life expectancy of the various components is discussed in light of the field experience of the past 20 years. Technical advances introduced in recent years are related to past field experience. Recommendations for the proper configuration of new hybrid systems are presented with reference to the field data.