Technology Research Area:

Advanced Low-Temperature Power Cycle Technology

What is advanced low-temperature power cycle technology, and what has it got to do with TVA's mission?

Industrial processes often produce waste heat from which businesses could generate electricity. But this waste heat may not be hot enough or consistent enough to be used cost-effectively with conventional generating technology.

TVA has developed and patented a new technology specifically designed to solve these problems. Advanced Low-Temperature Power Cycle enables small amounts or low intensities of heat (between 290 degrees and 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit) to be converted into electricity relatively inexpensively.

ALTPC is economical to use in small operations or with low waste-heat temperatures because it is simple, compact, modular and comparable or superior to steam generation in the amount of power it can generate from the heat available.

ALTPC delivers higher efficiency than steam with lower capital cost, smaller size and much less operating labor. This makes it ideal for conserving energy and lowering the power bills of some TVA industrial customers.

What is TVA doing about it?

In 2006, TVA licensed Facilities Management Company, Inc., of Boston to operate and market ALTPC in the United States. TVA is evaluating ALTPC at a TVA customer’s facility and providing project development support to FMC.

What are the possibilities for ALTPC?

ALTPC has the potential to provide economical, clean energy from industrial waste heat. ALTPC is particularly well-suited for small, unusual or low-temperature applications where conventional steam power generation would be uneconomical or impractical.