Hybrid Heat Engines: The Power Generation Systems of the Future

A hybrid heat engine results from the fusion of a heat engine with a non-heat-engine based cycle (unlike systems). The term combined cycle, which refers to similar arrangements, is reserved for the combination of two or more heat engines (like systems). The resulting product of the integration of a gas turbine and a fuel cell is referred to here as a hybrid heat engine or “Hybrid” for short. The intent of this paper is to provide, to the gas turbine community, a review of the present status of hybrid heat engine technologies. Current and projected activities associated with this emerging concept are also presented. The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is collaborating with other sponsors and the private sector to develop a Hybrid Program. This program will address the issues of technology development, integration, and ultimately the demonstration of what may be the most efficient of power plants in the world — the Hybrid System. Analyses of several Hybrid concepts have indicated the potential of ultra-high efficiencies (approaching 80%). In the Hybrid, the synergism between the gas turbine and fuel cell provides higher efficiencies and lower costs than either system can alone. Testing of the first Hybrid concept has been initiated at the National Fuel Cell Research Center (NFCRC).