TABLE OF CONTENTS Southern California Edison (SCE) has been testing microturbine generators (MTG) since 1996 and has tested, or has in test, 13 different MTGs with more than 68,000 hours of testing. SCE has direct experience with this emerging technology and has examined its maturation. Following is some of what SCE has learned.
The emergence and evolution of new technology for the energy industry is one of the most valuable opportunities in which an electric utility can lead and participate. SCE has a long history and a successful track record of recognizing and participating in the development and application of new technologies having the potential to improve customer service and electrical grid performance.
For example, near the beginning of the 20th century, SCE was the inventor of improved high voltage transmission capabilities and is currently testing the world's first hybrid fuel cell-microturbine. SCE leads a program to assess the performance, product quality, and capabilities of MTGs. Such work has provided SCE with a historical perspective on the technology as well as giving it a view as to how the technology can be improved and advanced in a variety of functions and markets.
With the help of organizations like SCE, MTG manufacturers have been advancing their products since the first MTGs emerged in 1996.
Early on, SCE recognized the emergence of MTGs and wanted to understand how these small generators would perform, how they might impact SCE's grid operations, and how customers might use them for self-generation or as backup generators.
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