Hybrid unit for Denver oilfield

Williams Distributed Power Services is providing its Energy Conversion Unit (ECU) system for an oilfield near Denver.

The ECU is a hybrid energy conversion system that incorporates Capstone microturbine generators and Powercell Corporation’s PowerBlock energy storage device. The system is a 100 kWe module. The microturbines allow the ECU to operate in stand-alone mode or connected to the power grid.

The test installation is in an oilfield near Denver, and the microturbines will convert untreated wellhead waste gas into power. The power is transferred to a Powercell PowerBlock system which stores, conditions and delivers the power to the pump-jacks.

The Capstone MicroTurbine is a compact generator that produces power from a variety of fuels. The PowerBlock is an integrated electrical energy storage system for multi-mode dispatch.

The PowerBlock solves power quality problems that typically require multiple vendors and individual pieces of equipment. It is capable of correcting both incessant and transient current and voltage disturbances as seen by the load, as well as providing momentary and extended outage protection, peak shaving, and energy management dispatch options.

Meanwhile, Capstone Turbines has announced agreements with Meidensha and Sumitomo Corporations, both of Japan, in which they will jointly distribute Capstone’s microturbines and package them into CHP systems. Sumitomo and Meidensha have also made a joint equity investment in Capstone Turbine Corporation.

Under the agreement, Meidensha will develop stationary applications for the microturbine in Japan and provide systems integration and comprehensive maintenance for its customers. Sumitomo will import the Capstone microturbine and build a national maintenance network.

In addition, Capstone has signed a strategic marketing alliance with the Takuma Company of Japan. Takuma will act as system integrator and distributor for the Capstone microturbine. Takuma has engineered a CHP package, the Takuma TCP-30, that uses the hot exhaust air of the microturbine for heat recovery and water heating. The TCP-30 is based on the Capstone Model 330 microturbine.

Also in Japan, GE MicroGen has signed an agreement with Kubota Corporation for Kubota to act as the latest international distributor for GEMG’s fuel cells, manufactured by Plug Power.

The initial GEMG product, the GE HomeGen 7000, provides 7 kWe of continuous power and up to 15 kWe of surge capacity. The system is due to be commercially available in 2001.