A micro turbine is a small combustion turbine that can produce 25KW to 500KW of electricity.

These turbines are built around the same turbo charger technology that is incorporated in the turbines of aircraft and large trucks. The most common model of micro turbines is a single stage radial flow device that has a rotating speed of a astonishing 90,000 to 120,000 revolutions per minute .

*Very high power-to-weight ratio, compared to reciprocating engines. *Smaller than most reciprocating engines of the same power rating. *Moves in one direction only, with far less vibration than a reciprocating engine. *Low emissions. *Low operating pressures. *High operating speeds. *Low fuels cost and consumption. *Can run on wide variety fuels.

*Cost is very high. *Less efficient than reciprocating engine at idle speed. *Longer start up than reciprocating engines. *Less responsive to changes in power demand compared to reciprocating engines. *The technology is new and untested.

( $/KW )