Success Stories / Case Studies

Oberoi Hotel Case Study

First Hotel CHP Application in india Uses ASET8 Gas Turbine-generator Sets

A savings of 35% to 40% compared to grid-supplied electricity is what the owners of the Oberoi Hotel in Agra, India realized with a new combined heat and power (CHP) plant. Based on two ASE8 gas turbines, this is the first CHP installation for a hotel application in India.

Operational in September 2000, the CHP plant provides 1,000 kilowatts of power for hotel operations, up to 9,000 pounds per hour of steam (unfired), as well as 925 gallons per hour of hot water for hotel operations (i.e., kitchen, laundry, etc.). Propane is the primary fuel for the ASE8 gas turbines.

The rationale behind selecting the ASE8-based CHP plant came after the management of this upscale hotel investigated the cost of electricity from the unreliable utility grid and steam produced by propane-fired boilers. This owner's research indicated that the ASE8 CHP plant was the most effective way to optimize energy costs. In fact, the overall plant efficiency is 84%, with a 90% plant utilization rate. Plant owners anticipate seeing a three-year return on investment.

The ASE8 gas turbine-generator sets were sold and packaged by Triveni Engineering & Industries, Ltd., Bangalore, India. Triveni, a Vericor Power Systems packaging partner for the Asia region. Triveni is a leader in the small gas and steam turbine and high-speed industrial gearbox markets in India with a strong customer base and experience in executing gas turbine CHP packages on a turnkey basis. Triveni's ASE8 packages are in a highly automated package, which can be situated on a roof or ground and easily connected to most of the major plant energy systems. This design helps reduce piping; only electrical, inlet air and gas connections are needed.

Over the past 25 years, more than 900 of the ASE8 gas turbines have been operating at stand-by, remote power and small-scale cogeneration projects accumulating more than 13 million hours of service. This strong track record demonstrates the reliability, ruggedness and durability of the engine.

This 520-kilowatt engine uses a three-stage combination gas generator and drive turbine to provide 20.5% thermal efficiency (simple cycle). The ASE8 is capable of operating on natural gas, diesel, propane, and jet fuel and comes with a low Btu fuel option. It includes its own power gearbox that can be started electrically or pneumatically. Gearbox output speeds are 3600 rpm, 1800 rpm or 1500 rpm, depending on the applications.

Construction of the CHP plant at the Oberoi Hotel began in early 1999. Triveni delivered the gas turbine packages to the site in July 2000.