Combined heat and power (CHP), also known as cogeneration, is the concurrent production of electricity or mechanical power and useful thermal energy (heating and/or cooling) from a single source of energy. Typically, CHP is sited at or near the point of consumption, such as a manufacturing or wastewater treatment plant, and can be deployed quickly, cost-effectively, and with few geographic limitations. A number of technology options exist for CHP; a variety of fuels can be used to generate electricity or power, allowing the heat that would normally be lost in the power generation process to be recovered to provide needed heating and/or cooling. It has been employed for many years, mostly in industrial, large commercial, and institutional applications.
CHP may not be widely recognized, but it has quietly been providing highly efficient electricity and process heat to some of the most vital industries, largest employers, urban centers, and campuses in the United States. Numerous Better Plants partners use CHP to supply heat and power to some of their key plants. It is reasonable to expect CHP applications to operate at 65-75% efficiency, a large improvement over the national average of ~50% for these services when separately provided.
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Subject Matter Expert - Paul Lemar
Paul has over 30 years of experience in engineering, economic and environmental analysis of combined heat and power technologies and distributed generation. He advises the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Partnership, as well as individual manufacturers and research organizations on the feasibility of CHP and other energy efficiency technology, and has published numerous CHP studies. Paul has directed numerous economic feasibility analyses and market studies of onsite power systems, facility energy costs, and energy storage technologies. He is currently serving his sixth term as the Treasurer of the Combined Heat and Power Association (CHPA). Paul holds a B.S., Mechanical Engineering and an M.B.A., both from the University of Maryland.
You can reach Paul with CHP-related questions at pll@rdcnet.com.