What are the various applications of a Turbo Generator ?
Turbo generators are basically turbines connected to electric generators to generate electricity and these turbo generators can also be used as auxilary power units.
Turbo Generators are engine driven alternators (engine generators)typically using diesel fuel to run the engine right on site. They are typically used where emergency and standby power is needed in case of utility power failure. Places like hospital require on site standby power in case of normal power failure and you will see them used there and any other place that can’t afford power loss.
As the name implies Turbo-Generators are turbine driven generators. There are in reality at least three different classes of turbo-generators based on the motive that drives them. They include:
1. Gas Turbines drive the smallest class of turbo-generators. The motive force for these turbines is the burning of gaseous fuels. Because they can be started and stopped easily, they are used for a variety of intermittent applications including emergency power
2. Steam Turbines drive much bigger turbo-generators. The steam is generated by a variety of methods including burning coal, nuclear power and geothermal energy. These types of turbo-generators supply the bulk of the electrical power in the US and other countries.
3. The third class of Turbo-generator are powered by water turbines. Invented in the 19th century water turbines are very efficient devices for extracting energy for moving water. They are used in virtually all hydro-electric power plants world wide.