Combined Heat and Power
Combined Heat and Power
(CHP) is the simultaneous generation of usable heat and power (usually electricity) in a single process. CHP is a highly efficient way to use both fossil and renewable fuels and can therefore make a significant contribution to the UK’s sustainable energy goals, bringing environmental, economic, social and energy security benefits.
CHP systems can be employed over a wide range of sizes, applications, fuels and technologies. In its simplest form, it employs a gas turbine, an engine or a steam turbine to drive an alternator, and the resulting electricity can be used either wholly or partially on-site. The heat produced during power generation is recovered, usually in a heat recovery boiler and can be used to raise steam for a number of industrial processes, to provide hot water for space heating, or, as mentioned above with appropriate equipment installed, cooling.