Yhdistelmäkeskuksia

Yhdistelmäkeskuksia, also known as combined heat and power (CHP) units or co-generation plants, are facilities that produce both electricity and useful heat from a single fuel source. This process significantly improves overall energy efficiency compared to separate generation of electricity and heat. The fundamental principle involves utilizing the waste heat that is typically lost in conventional power plants.

In a CHP system, fuel, such as natural gas, biomass, or industrial waste, is combusted to produce hot gases. These gases drive a turbine, which in turn generates electricity. The heat remaining after electricity generation is then captured and used for other purposes. This can include space heating for buildings, industrial process heat, or hot water production. The captured heat is typically transferred via a heat exchanger.

The efficiency of CHP systems can reach up to 80-90%, a substantial increase over the 30-40% efficiency of traditional standalone power plants. This high efficiency leads to reduced fuel consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy produced. CHP is particularly effective in locations with a high demand for both electricity and heat, such as industrial parks, district heating networks, and large institutional buildings. The technology can be implemented at various scales, from small modular units to large industrial installations.