Producing electricity and heat simultaneously from a single fuel: efficiency up to 90%.
Cogeneration, or CHP (Combined Heat and Power), is a process that simultaneously produces electricity and useful heat from a single fuel, typically natural gas. Compared to separate production, cogeneration achieves overall efficiencies of 80-90%.
How it works
A gas engine or turbine produces electricity; the waste heat is recovered and used for heating, industrial processes, or steam production. Trigeneration plants also produce cooling through an absorption chiller.
CHP vs separate production
| Parameter | Cogeneration (CHP) | Separate production |
|---|---|---|
| Overall efficiency | 80-90% | 50-55% |
| CO2 emissions | Reduced by 20-30% | Baseline |
| Energy cost | 15-25% lower | Baseline |
| Available incentives | TEE, gas tax relief | None specific |
When it makes sense
Cogeneration is economically advantageous when there is a simultaneous and constant demand for electricity and heat. Ideal sectors include: food processing, chemicals, paper, hospitals, shopping centers, swimming pools, and district heating.
Available incentives
High-Efficiency Cogeneration (CAR) enjoys numerous benefits: access to White Certificates, natural gas tax relief, dispatching priority, and simplified authorization. CAR recognition is issued by GSE based on efficiency parameters achieved by the plant.
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