What is Cogeneration?
5 min read
How to recover waste ? From a single energy source, in a single plant. The aim is to recover the 2nd energy from the 1st, rather than wasting it. Example: The production of electrical energy generates a large quantity of heat, which is often unused. Thanks to a heat recovery unit, this heat can be recovered and transformed into gas or hot water, to supply public buildings, hospitals and industry.
What is ?
Cogeneration = Simultaneous production and use of two different forms of energy from one single energy source and within the same facility.
Goal: use the 2nd form of energy generated as a by-product of producing the 1st, rather than waste it.
Example: electrical energy production generates a large amount of heat, which is often not used. Using a recovery system, heat can be harnessed to raise the temperature of gas or water that can then be used to supply apartment and office buildings, hospitals and factories.
Cogeneration disadvantages:
- Unavoidable energy loss during transportation
Production sites must therefore be close to the places of consumption despite the risk of making the efficiency of the installation less optimal.
Cogeneration advantages:
- Less greenhouse gas.
- Lower production costs than separate generation systems.
- Possibility to produce energy from gas or oil, but also from local energy sources: , or municipal waste .
- Significant improvement in the facility’s
:
Typical facility: energy efficiency: 35% + 65% lost in heat form.
Cogeneration: about half of the available heat is no longer lost.
Summary:
Cogeneration = simultaneous production and use of 2 energy forms from 1 source.
Disadvantages:
- Production sites and places of consumption must be close to one another to ensure optimal efficiency.
Advantages:
- less greenhouse gas,
- lower production costs,
- higher energy efficiency – 50% of heat produced is used.
Our most popular content
See all
