Gas turbines produce electricity using a combustible fuel and generator. In addition to producing electricity, useful heat can be recovered from the exhaust gas using a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), or heat recovery system for hot water, and this recovered "waste" heat can be provided to a heating load. In this case, the gas turbine power plant would be operating in a Combined Heat & Power (CHP) or cogeneration mode. The energy performance of a gas turbine is influenced by a number of factors such as the type of fuel, the gas turbine power capacity, minimum capacity, availability, heat rate and heat recovery efficiency. Refer to the Gas Turbine Schematic for more information.

Software & Data
The RETScreen Software Gas Turbine Model can be used worldwide to evaluate the energy production and savings, costs, emission reductions, financial viability and risk for central-grid, isolated-grid and off-grid gas turbine projects, ranging in size from large scale natural gas-fired multi-turbine power plants, to distributed power systems located on institutional and commercial buildings and at industrial facilities, to residential micro-turbine systems. The model addresses both land based gas turbines namely, heavy frame engines and aero derivative engines. In addition, landfill gas production can be estimated using an advanced landfill gas tool, and a biogas tool is provided to calculate the amount of biogas produced by the biological decomposition of various wastes. The software (available in multiple languages) also includes product, project and climate databases, and a detailed user manual.

Click here to download RETScreen 4 (36 MB).

e-Textbook / Guides
Compressors and Turbines - Guide (4.52 MB)

Case studies / Templates
Cooling, heating & power - Gas turbine - Desiccant - 30 kW - Natural gas / USA
Combined heating & power - Gas turbine - 30 kW - Biogas / USA
Combined heating & power - Gas turbine - 3,630 kW - Natural gas / UK
Combined heating & power - Gas turbine - Apartment building