Taking A Look At Combined Heat And Power Technology

Greenpeace have described CHP as having “enormous potential” in the UK, while the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) say it has “a vital role in helping to meet the UK ‘s targets on reducing carbon emissions”. Modern Builder takes a look at the technology they are talking about.

What is ‘Combined heat andPower’ (CHP)?

Combined heat and power (CHP)is the simultaneous generation ofuseable heat and electricity,within a single process ofcombustion, near to the sitewhere they are to be used. CHPcan be used for commercial andresidential projects. Micro-CHP systems (below 50kWe) are available for thedomestic market and are similarin size and shape to ordinary,domestic boilers.

What benefit has ‘Combined Heat and Power’?

CHP systems can convert morethan 70% of a fuel’s energy intoelectrical power and useful heat,compared to conventional powergeneration where around 30–45% energy efficiency isachieved. CHP systems have the potentialto reduce energy costs andcarbon emissions. In domesticsituations, CHP can potentiallyachieve lower overall carbonemissions than conventionalheating systems. Many European countries arealready using CHP in the home,for example in Denmark, CHPaccounts for 55% of all electricitygeneration.

How do I achieve ‘Combined Heat and Power’?

Micro-CHP systems are suppliedas complete units containing theengine, generator and heatrecovery equipment. Three technologies are availablefor the domestic market; 1) A Stirling engine which is anexternal combustion engine,similar to a steam engine toproduce electricity. The most common unit today is astandard gas boiler that containsa Stirling engine. 2) An internal combustion engine 3) A Fuel Cell system. The FuelCell system can offer much higherelectrical efficiencies but the costof this technology today isprohibitive, negating any financialrunning benefits of transferringfrom traditional heating to thisform of CHP. The Carbon Trust recently carriedout field trials on CHP systems fordomestic situations to assess thebenefits of switching from aconventional condensing boiler toa CHP system. The final report was issued inMarch 2011. The findings showthat carbon savings are directlyrelated to the length of time theMicro-CHP system runs for – theSterling engine literally needs to“warm up” before it starts workingat its most efficient. The CHP technology was foundto be best suited to largerdetached houses that were builtwithout insulation, for examplelarge 1920s houses that require ahigh and consistent heat demandto maintain a comfortableenvironment. Micro-CHP couldtherefore be an appropriateoption for a retrofit system inlarger, older homes.

Baxi Receives Queen’s Award For Micro-CHP Boiler

UK heating manufacturer Baxi is proud to announce that it hasreceived the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Innovation. Theprestigious accolade, bestowed during Her Majesty’s DiamondJubilee year, is for the Baxi Ecogen micro-combined heat and power(micro-CHP) boiler. Managing Director of Baxi’s UK Residential Boiler Division, AndrewKeating, said: “We are really proud of this fantastic achievement. It istestament to the commitment and hard work of the teams in Prestonwho have brought Baxi Ecogen, the first domestic appliance of itskind, to the UK marketplace, and made our facility a centre ofexcellence for this important new technology.”

For further information, visit: Energy Measures www.energy-measures.com/chp Combined Heat and Power Association