trigeneration
Trigeneration, also known as tri-generation or CCHP (combined cooling, heating and power), is an energy system that simultaneously produces electricity, heating, and cooling from a single energy source. It typically uses a prime mover—such as a natural gas–fired turbine, internal combustion engine, microturbine, or fuel cell—to generate electricity and to drive a heat recovery system that captures waste heat. The recovered heat is used to supply hot water or steam for heating and to power an absorption chiller or another cooling technology, providing air conditioning without a separate cooling plant.
Operation and energy flow: Fuel is burned to generate electricity; waste heat is recovered to produce thermal
Efficiency and benefits: Trigeneration improves overall energy efficiency by utilizing on-site electricity, heat, and cooling from
Applications and challenges: Common in large commercial buildings (hospitals, universities, data centers) and district energy networks.