cogenerationin

Cogeneration, or combined heat and power (CHP), is the simultaneous production of electricity and useful heat from a single energy source. This approach captures heat that would otherwise be wasted in electricity generation, increasing overall energy efficiency and reducing operating costs and emissions.

Most CHP systems use a prime mover such as a gas turbine, a reciprocating internal combustion engine, or a steam turbine. Electricity is produced while the exhaust heat or jacket cooling is recovered to provide space heating, process heat, or district heating. Some configurations include absorption chillers for cooling, enabling year-round use.

Applications include industrial plants, hospitals, universities, and district energy networks. CHP is advantageous where there is a consistent demand for both electricity and heat, offering resilience and potentially lower energy costs. Economics depend on load matching, capital costs, fuel prices, and policies or incentives.

Efficiency and environmental aspects: CHP can achieve total system efficiencies of about 70-90 percent when heat is fully utilized, compared with 30-45 percent electrical efficiency for stand-alone power generation. Emissions reductions are possible, particularly with natural gas or renewable fuels, but depend on the local grid mix and technology.

Implementation considerations include heat-load planning, maintenance requirements, and integration with heat distribution networks. Part-load performance, regulatory approvals, and incentives influence adoption. Developments in micro-CHP and fuel-cell CHP extend options for buildings and campuses.