Actually, the market I was in was ideal for natural gas turbines. The turbine turned a generator and made up to 10 Megawatts of electricity (generally for factory or college campus usage) while the hot exhaust gas was used to heat water in a boiler to make steam for process usage or heating.
I agree. If you have a large enough physical plant and the correct fit of needs, co-generation (steam + electricity) is one of the most effective methods around. It's the Mechanical engineering equivalent of a 2 for 1 and all the costs are contained in-house.
Several midwestern universities are going this route to generate power and steam heat for dormitories. When you combine this with long-term fixed-rate gas contracts, the cost becomes even more attractive.
jriemer