What is a cogeneration system?
Cogeneration is the simultaneous production of electricity (for supplying different equipment) and thermal heat (used as technological steam, heat or warm water), with the same facility, both types being used as utility.
In other words, by cogeneration, the waste heat, remained after the process of production of electricity, is used to supply other technological processes.
The basic principle of cogeneration is that, in order to maximize the benefits offered, the system should be sized according to heat demand of the location (which can be a building, a plant or a city).
Cogeneration offers energy savings between 15 and 40%, compared to the classical version of acquiring electricity from a supplier and producing heat in a steam power plant.
Through cogeneration increases the efficiency of energy production processes (electricity and heat) increases, because energy is no longer lost in the environment through cooling towers or chimneys flue, as happens in the case of a conventional thermal power plant.
Thus, due to the low cost of energy production compared to the classical, the investment in a cogeneration system becomes very attractive.
Generally, cogeneration works based on fossil fuel (coal, oil, methane), biomass or solar energy.
Why Use a Cogeneration System?
- Optimize energy use and costs;
- Reduce CO2 emissions (GES emissions are reduced up to 30% for fossil fuels or completely when used renewable energy sources, such as biomass, biogas etc);
- Safety in power supply (you have available a backup generator in case of interruptions in power supply) and improvement of overall energy efficiency;
- Reduce electricity losses because it generates electricity at, or near the point of use and is not transmitted over long distances;
- Become independent from the power grid;
- Is a solution compatible with solar panels, so it can become a complementary source for solar panels systems to cover energy needs in winter and at night;
- The cogeneration plant can deliver heat at high temperature (> 80°C) efficiently.
- Servelect offers you technical consultancy to implement feasible cogeneration solution at your site;
- You benefit from non-refundable financing through the Operational Program Large Infrastructure (POIM), axis 6.4.
When the cogeneration system is feasible?
- When you use the system more than 5000-6000 hours/year.
- The price of electricity is 2,5-3 times higher than the methane or other fuels.
- The energy invoice has a major share in the costs of your operations.
- When you wish to increase the production capacity.
You are not sure if the implementation of a cogeneration system is feasible for your location?
As a first step of our collaboration, we propose you a short free energy assessment performed by Servelect specialists. This assessment involves a technical and economic feasibility analysis, for the purpose of studying the opportunity of the implementation of cogeneration solution of high efficiency at your location.
