Combined Heat and Power
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is the on-site generation of electricity and the utilisation of the heat that is a by-product of the generation process. For a wide range of buildings, CHP can offer an economical method of providing heat and power which is less environmentally harmful than conventional methods.
If your annual combined energy costs for electricity and heat are in excess of £15,000 per annum, you have a three phase supply and you are looking to make a significant reduction in your CO2 footprint, but in a cost effective way, then a gas or bio-fuel CHP system may be a suitable technology for your building.
Heat engines in general, do not convert all of their available energy into electricity. In most heat engines, a bit more than half is wasted as excess heat. By capturing the excess heat, CHP uses heat that would be wasted in a conventional power plant, potentially reaching an efficiency of up to 89%, compared with 55% for the best conventional plants. This means that less fuel needs to be consumed to produce the same amount of useful energy. Also, less pollution is produced for a given economic benefit.
An exact match between the heat and electricity needs rarely exists. A CHP plant can either meet the need for heat (heat driven operation) or be run as a power plant with some use of its waste heat.
CHP is most efficient when the heat can be used on site or very close to it. Overall efficiency is reduced when the heat must be transported over longer distances. This requires heavily insulated pipes, which are expensive and inefficient; whereas electricity can be transmitted along a comparatively simple wire, and over much longer distances for the same energy loss.
In many buildings, CHP is often the single biggest measure for reducing buildings-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and running costs. Where applicable, building designers, specifiers and operators should consider the option of CHP as an alternative means of supplying energy.
Enviko provides technical expertise across all areas of energy in buildings and industry. We work with public and private sector clients to deliver value for money and high-quality, innovative solutions. We offer specific technical solutions and whole business strategies involving a range of services, including: energy policy, strategy development, management of statutory obligations and opportunities, development of energy management services, technical and economic feasibility studies, Life Cycle Analysis, engineering design and management.
We deliver design advice and solutions on energy centre development including the use of CHP, community heating and cooling, and absorption chilling; and provide strategic advice on: CHP Q application and management, energy legislation change management, Climate Change Levy (CCL) exemption agreements, Emissions Trading (EUETS) management and grant funding applications. Enviko has extensive experience of CHP in relation to industry, commercial and domestic applications. We can provide consultancy in a range of areas tailored to meet the more specialised needs of individual customers, from policies/strategies to feasibility and implementation.
- Supporting government in developing CHP policy and incentive schemes.
- Development and implementation of grant programmes.
- Assessment of community heating/community cooling schemes.
- Absorption chilling and waste heat recovery.
- Preparation of performance specifications, tender documents and management of tender process.
- CHP in EU-Emission Trading Scheme (ETS).
- EU policies on CHP/CH.
- CHP and CH feasibility studies/option appraisals.
- Energy from waste and renewable CHP.
- Mathematical modeling and potential studies.
- Economic factors associated with CHP.
- CHP training.
Please feel free to get in contact with us by email or call 0845 189 9894 to discuss any of your requirements.
