Turbo compressor is one from a family of dynamic compressors; these machines are widely used to compress air and gas. Compression is affected by spinning the air at high speed, imparting kinetic energy to the air. The turbo compressor is driven via a gearbox at 6000 to 40000rpm with a pressure rise up to 160Kpa in a single-stage configuration. The turbo generator has the ability to turndown the flow using inlet guide vanes or a throttle valve.

A turbo generator is a turbine directly connected to an electric generator for the generation of electric power. Smaller turbo-generators with gas turbines are often used as auxiliary power units. Diesel generators offer much better fuel-efficiency, so these are usually preferred for base loads.