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CHP run on LPG
 You will have probably seen and heard the term CHP (Combined Heat and Power) a lot over recent
years, and if you are commercial installer you might have even installed some units. Simultaneously generating electricity and producing heat at the point of use, CHP is an important element in the Government's energy policy, as set out in the Energy White Paper. The Government believes that CHP has an important role to play in its aim to reduce UK CO2 emissions by 60 per cent by 20501 – so it could be worth learning more.
The Government recognised CHP’s potential in the early 1990s, and in the year 2000 set a new target to achieve at least 10,000 MWe of installed Good Quality CHP (defined as CHP generation that is energy efficient in operation) by 2010. This remains a key element of the Government’s revised Climate Change Programme, issued in March 2006. To give you an idea of how achievable that target is, the latest Government statistics used by the Combined Heat and Power Association (up to 31 December 2005) show that 5,792 MWe of CHP capacity is operating in the UK.
In very simple terms, a CHP unit generates electricity from a single fuel, for example Calor LPG, and uses the heat produced in the generation process as thermal energy for space and/or water heating. In conventional centralised power generation this heat would normally be discharged to the atmosphere and wasted, leading to low overall plant efficiencies. There would also be additional electricity transmission losses.
When installed, integrated and controlled correctly, CHP solutions can offer energy cost savings and significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. When compared to electricity generated from a centralised power station and the use of conventional heat-only boilers, a 30 per cent reduction in primary energy needs can be achieved. Some units can deliver overall fuel efficiencies of around 90 per cent.
CHP forms an important part of Calor’s renewables/low carbon strategy. In particular, we feel that small scale CHP offers a very promising ‘green’ solution for leisure and commercial premises. Originally, CHP was designed for properties with large thermal and electrical demands, with traditional applications including hospitals, industrial plants and large hotels. However, in more recent years smallerscale CHP technology has been developed, which is suitable for a wider variety of commercial and public sector buildings. There may even be some units that are appropriate for domestic dwellings available soon.
And, with the technology being suitable for a wider range of properties, more organisations – and potentially homeowners – will be able to gain access to the benefits of CHP and make a positive contribution towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Sources
1. www.defra.gov.uk Defra (Department for Food and Rural Affairs)
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