Combined
Heat and Power and Distributed Generation
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems, also known as cogeneration, generate electricity and thermal energy in a single, integrated system. CHP is not a technology, but an approach to applying technologies. CHP is more energy efficient than separate generation of electricity and thermal energy. Heat that is normally wasted in conventional power generation is recovered as useful energy for satisfying an existing thermal demand, the heating and cooling of the building and water supply, thus avoiding the losses that would otherwise be incurred from separate generation of power. CHP systems provide three general categories of benefits—environmental, economic, and transmission and distribution.
Activities
ACEEE Reports
- Combined Heat and Power
A complete listing of Industry and Agriculture Program reports related to CHP and DG
- Also, by special arrangement:
Important Resources and Links
- U.S. Combined Heat and Power Association (USCHPA)
ACEEE was a founding member of the USCHPA which is the national association for the promotion of CHP both technically and through the market. There is an annual conference to discuss the progress of CHP, as well as the growing list of manufacturing, industrial, and political supporters of CHP in the U.S.
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
The DOE's Distributed Energy Program established eight CHP Regional Application Centers (RACs) covering the entire U.S. to facilitate the deployment of CHP technologies. They provide education for regional players on the benefits of CHP technologies, project-specific support, feedback to DOE and industry regarding R&D needs, and they interact with states to encourage a favorable policy environment for CHP. The RACs web page includes links to the eight application centers as well as contact information for each.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The
EPA CHP Partnership is a voluntary program that seeks to reduce the environmental impact of power generation by promoting the use of CHP. Through the Partnership, EPA enagages the CHP industry, state and local governments, and other stakeholders in cooperative relationships to expand the use of CHP.
- Western Governors' Association
The Western Governors' Association's Clean and Diversified Energy Initiative released an excellent Combined Heat and Power White Paper in January 2006. Also see the completed work of the WGA's Clean and Diversified Energy Advisory Committee.
- Energy Information Administration (EIA)
The Energy Information Administration is a statistical agency of the U.S. Department of Energy. Their mission is to provide policy-independent data, forecasts, and analyses to promote sound policy making, efficient markets, and public understanding regarding energy and its interaction with the economy and the environment. The following two reports on CHP were prepared for the EIA:
- New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)
NYSERDA's Distributed Generation and Combined Heat and Power Program supports the development and demonstration of distributed generation systems and combined heat and power applications in industrial, municipal, commercial, and residential sectors. Their report, Combined Heat and Power Market Potential for New York State was released in 2002.
- International District Energy Association (IDEA)
The International District Energy Association is a non-profit trade association for district energy technologies. Members include manufacturers, managers, salespeople, heating and cooling executives, and equipment suppliers. Their website includes information on current technologies, the Campus Program, and updates on the market.
- The World Alliance for Decentralized Energy (WADE)
The World Alliance for Decentralized Energy was launched by a group of major companies and national industry associations to accelerate the development of high efficiency CHP and decentralized renewable energy systems which will deliver substantial economic and environmental benefits worldwide.
For more information contact:
R. Neal Elliott, Program Director
Vanessa McKinney, Research Staff
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