 | Introduction |
When used in the right way, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) can be the single biggest way for you to cut industrial or buildings–related energy costs. CHP systems convert more than 70% of a fuel’s energy into electrical power and useful heat - conventional power generation only achieves around 30–45% energy efficiency. CHP also reduces carbon emissions and can attract additional financial incentives.
Engine types
Gas turbines
Gas turbines drive a turbine generator and have a typical output of 1 - 200MWe, although there are small-scale ‘mini turbines’ of between 80kWe and 100kWe in some packaged CHP systems. High grade heat is available from the exhaust gases (at 400–550ºC.)
Reciprocating engines
Reciprocating engines use gas fuels. Spark–ignition engines are available up to 4MWe, although they typically range from 70kWe-1,500kWe in size. Compression–ignition engines (diesel engines) are available up to 15MWe.
- High–grade heat (at about 400ºC) is available from the exhaust gases from reciprocating engines.
- Low–grade heat (at about 80ºC) is available from jacket cooling and lubricating/cooling systems.
Steam turbines
These can use any fuel to generate power and medium–grade heat. Units can be from 0.5MWe upwards. They are often used in conjunction with waste heat boilers and produce medium grade heat. Steam turbines can incorporate several pressure stages and may be fully condensing or pass out intermediate pressure or low–pressure steam for process use.
Combined–cycle systems
These use exhaust gas from a gas turbine in a steam–raising boiler, with the steam generated being used in a steam turbine. Such systems are available from 10MWe upwards and produce medium–grade heat.
Further information
Read about our field work in Micro CHP