5. Starting systems

Due to its architecture, a combustion turbine cannot start up independently. It is the turbine that provides the mechanical work needed to drive the compressor and alternator. But for this to be possible, the gases must first have been compressed. A combustion turbine can't start on its own. It has to be brought up to around 80% of its rated speed, so that the driving torque developed by the combustion gases is greater than the resisting torque of the compressor.

To solve this problem, there are several types of device, depending on the power output of the combustion turbines.

On low-power installations, the diesel engine launch solution is often chosen. For more powerful machines, an asynchronous or DC motor can be used. A 1 MW motor is all that's needed to start a 123 MW type 9E machine (TAC), and the alternator of combustion turbines...