Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
Combined heat
and power (CHP), also known
as cogeneration, is an efficient,
clean, and reliable approach
to generating power and thermal
energy from a single fuel source.
CHP systems achieve typical
effective electric efficiencies
of 50% to 70% - a dramatic improvement
over the average efficiency
of separate heat and power.
Since CHP is highly efficient,
it reduces traditional air pollutants
and carbon dioxide, the leading
greenhouse gas associated with
climate change, as well.
Benefits of CHP |
CHP plays an important role
in meeting global energy needs
and reducing the environmental
impact of power generation.
CHP provides numerous benefits
to the energy user, the environment
and the electric grid. |
Economics |
CHP can reduce a facility's
fuel costs, including fuel and
electricity costs. |
Environment |
CHP reduces the amount of fuel
burned per unit of energy output,
and reduces the corresponding
emissions of pollutants and
greenhouse gases. |
Reliability |
CHP systems are a form of distributed
generation (located at the point
of energy use) that provides
reliable electricity and thermal
energy to the user. CHP can
decrease the impact of grid
power outages and can help reduce
congestion on the electric grid
by removing or reducing load
in areas of high demand. |
Resources |
CHP requires less fuel for
a given energy output, so it
reduces the demand for our finite
natural resources, such as natural
gas and coal. |
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