What is CHP? It is commonly referred to as Combined Heat and Power; or Cooling, Heating and Power; or simply as Cogeneration. All of these terms are really interchangeable and refer to an integrated, onsite energy system that serves both the electrical and thermal needs of a building, facility or campus.

A CHP system serves the electrical load of a facility using combustion turbines, micro turbines or reciprocating engines. The waste heat is then recovered from this electrical generation equipment and is used to serve the thermal loads of the facility, such as space cooling, hot water, dehumidification, and/or process heat.

A CHP system differs from a traditional energy system for a facility, which typically consists of grid supplied electricity and stand-alone HVAC or process heat equipment, which require their own fuel source (e.g. electricity for electric centrifugal chillers, natural gas for boilers). By making use of the waste heat, a CHP system reduces or even eliminates the additional fuel requirement for the HVAC and process heat equipment, increasing energy efficiency and reducing operating costs.

Who should consider installing a CHP system? Any facility owner/manager whose facility has a coincident electrical and thermal load and who would like to increase the efficiency of their energy usage, improve the reliability of their energy supply and reduce their operating costs. Prime candidate facilities include: Hospitals, Universities, District Heating and Cooling Systems, Ethanol Plants, Data Centers, Office Complexes, and Utilities.