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To: snopercod
"Your economic analysis includes 100% backup for the co-generated heat, right? You don't want your workers to freeze and all your chemicals to freeze just because you have to take your little cogen plant down for maintenance."

Micro-turbines are far more reliable than any other type of generator (aside from fuel cells, that is), and just like any other power plant, such outages can be and are planned for. One hundred percent backup capacity is NOT required.

And because the electrical grid is the backup for the generated electricity, you still have to pay for that service, too."

Not completely true--you have to pay for AVAILABILITY OF SERVICE, but not for the power you no longer use. And in fact, in some states, any excess power you DON'T need is sold back to the utility to which you are hooked up. In such cases, a "distributed power" generation system will not only pay for the "availability of power" service, but can actually be a profit center during "off-peak" hours.

"Then of course, you have to hire power plant maintenance and operation staff, electricians, chemical techs, and people to file all the EPA emission reports."

Not at all--those are provided by the company supplying the equipment. You "did" check the link and realize that there is a LEASE option available??

Nice "hypothetical" disadvantages---fortunately none of which are true. Try again.

15 posted on 08/21/2003 12:25:34 PM PDT by Wonder Warthog (The Hog of Steel)
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To: Wonder Warthog
Backup is not required...because you say so.

It's completely reliable...because you say so.

No extra hiring is required...because you say so.

I am wondering if you have any experience working around equipment like this, and any experience running a buisiness where electricity and heat are mandatory all the time.

16 posted on 08/21/2003 1:17:07 PM PDT by snopercod
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To: Wonder Warthog
Micro-turbines are reliable but require a new engine or an engine overhaul every 40,000 hours...at least Capstones...

I've evaluated the "lease option" proposals of a company similar to RealEnergy and they are no deal...IMO. The cost to operate outweighs most rate structures...

22 posted on 08/21/2003 4:19:21 PM PDT by Solson (Our work is the presentation of our capabilities. - Von Goethe)
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