Commonwealth Edison of Chicago has placed an order for 55 microturbines from Honeywell Power Systems. The units, each of which generates 75 kWe, have total capacity of 4 MWe. They are to be installed primarily in apartment buildings for senior citizens to ensure a power and lighting supply in the event of a blackout but may eventually be used as the primary energy source.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but the retail cost of an unistalled turbine is estimated at $50 000 – $60 000. Honeywell expects to sell some 1500 systems this year, rising to 10 000 in 2001.