Combined Heat and Power

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When both on-site electrical generation and a great deal of heat are required, combined heat and power may produce dramatic energy savings.

Buy One - Get One Free

A Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system is powered by one fuel source (generally natural gas but propane, oil, coal, wood chips, biomass and other fuels may be used). Utilizing this one source of fuel, a CHP system provides two energy outputs - electricity and heat. The electricity can be used for all of the purposes that electricity is used for. And, the heat can be used to heat large quantities of water, or to power air conditioning and space heating, or for a wide variety of industrial processes.

CHP Is An Energy BOGO

Combined Heat and PowerCombined heat and power is like a BOGO (buy one get one free) at the supermarket. Utilizing one source of fuel to produce two sources of power saves a great deal of money.

  • CHP power generation is highly efficient. Compared to fossil fuel powered energy generation (which is typically about 35% efficient) natural gas fired CHP is up to 80% efficient in producing both electricity and process heat simultaneously.
  • CHP systems provide emergency generation capacity.
  • CHP reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions.
  • CHP reduces SO2 (sulfur dioxide) emissions.
  • CHP eliminates release of millions of metric tons of carbon.
  • CHP technologies are becoming less expensive.
  • CHP systems are becoming available for smaller buildings.

Is A Combined Heat And Power Plant In Your Future?

While CHP is a highly promising energy technology, it is inappropriate in a number of situations:

  • A smaller building is involved (CHP is a large scale commercial or industrial project).
  • An affordable source of fuel (generally natural gas) is not available.
  • The building or business cannot take advantage of CHP's heat production.
  • The cost of a CHP, or return on investment, just does not pencil.

The bottom line on CHP is . . . if your Green Energy Roadmap indicates that it is feasible, the return on investment may be very good. Energy cost savings, in combination with tax incentives and rebates, may return the CHP investments in 5 to 8 years.

Combined Heat And Power And
Your Green Energy Roadmap

Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is just one of the several dozen green energy technologies that can reduce your energy bill. While each of these technologies provides unique benefits, no single technology is a "magic bullet."

Getting the best return on your green energy investment requires integrating the most cost-effective combination of technologies possible. Consider Combined Heat and P:ower as just one component of your Green Energy Roadmap.