Bridgestone Associates, Ltd recently completed a detailed study on the economic, technical and environmental feasibility of a 40MW CHP plant with Bryan Power Generation Solutions Group, LLC of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The study examined the suitability of a range of new and used combustion turbine alternatives, balancing overall economic performance and capital costs with cycle efficiency and the ability to meet the host site’s steam and electrical requirements.

The CHP feasibility study was prepared for a large paper mill client of Bryan Power with a 70MW – 80MW electrical load and a high pressure steam load of over one million pounds per hour. The combustion turbine based CHP plant will run in parallel with an existing 40 MW steam turbine based CHP plant already installed and operating at the paper mill.

Based on the balance of initial capital costs, electrical and thermal energy output, and overall efficiency, a fully refurbished used General Electric Frame 6 combustion turbine with new Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) was selected as the best alternative. Bryan Power will provide the refurbished and new equipment and the plant installation on a turnkey basis to their client.

"This has been a very interesting study with the comparison between new and refurbished used equipment playing a significant role in the overall economic performance," said Martin Anderson, President or Bridgestone Associates, Ltd."The host client has large electrical and steam loads, ideally suited for a combined heat and power plant, and Bryan Power’s ability to source, refurbish and re-install a suitable combustion turbine will make this economically viable, even in an electric utility service area where power costs are low" continued Mr. Anderson. "We look forward to working with Bryan Power and their client as this project is developed and implemented."