COMBINED HEAT & POWER

INCREASING EFFICIENCY AND REDUCING EMISSIONS

Combined Heat & Power (CHP), also called cogeneration, captures energy that would otherwise have been lost during power generation, to provide both electric power and thermal energy (heat) from a single fuel source.

Generating heat and power from the same fuel source

CHP is an energy efficient technology that generates electricity and captures the waste heat from that generation process to provide thermal energy — such as steam or hot water — for space heating, cooling, domestic hot water and industrial processes. CHP can be located at an individual facility or building, or be a district energy or utility resource.

BENEFITS

EFFICIENT DUO-ENERGY PROVIDER

Cogeneration uses one fuel source to provide two different forms of energy to the facility.

}

PREDICTABLE AND RELIABLE RESOURCE

Cogeneration often operates at all times to provide heat, consequently providing a constant flow of electricity as well.

CAN DIVERT WASTE FROM LANDFILL

Some waste that is sent to landfill could act as fuel in the incinerator of a CHP facility. Doing this would divert waste otherwise intended for landfills while also introducing a low-cost fuel source.

Considerations

NOT ALWAYS EMISSIONS FREE

Cogeneration usually burns fossil fuels, unless biofuels are used, to produce heat and electricity.

UNUSABLE EXCESS HEAT

Lack of heating demand makes cogeneration a very inefficient way of producing electricity as the excess heat must be disposed of and cannot be used.

LOCATION IS IMPORTANT

If an incinerator is used, finding a suitable site for the CHP project may be difficult as nearby occupants are often opposed to the incineration of waste due to its smell.