Thursday, March 28, 2024

EPA: Combined heat and power systems offer energy savings, emission reductions

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently highlighted the benefits of combined heat and power (CHP) systems, which offer energy savings and help protect the environment.

It further encouraged organizations to take advantage of its CHP Partnership.

As the effects of climate change become more and more apparent, such as a rise in droughts, heat waves and hurricanes, it is increasingly important that companies do their part to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

CHP, which is also called cogeneration, is a good way to accomplish reduction goals, allowing businesses, government and other entities to reduce pollutant emissions by 40 percent or more. These systems also do not use water resources. On a larger scale, CHPs help local energy infrastructure by easing the burden carried by the electricity grid, which can even stave off costly improvements to generating plants and energy infrastructure.

CHPs create power, either electrical or mechanical, onsite, meaning that facilities employing them save costs through bypassing utility companies. The waste-heat from the power generation is also used, which is then converted into heating, cooling, dehumidifying or process applications. CHPs are adaptable to new and existing building systems and can be used with fuel types ranging from biomass to coal.

The EPA’s CHP Partnership program works with organizations looking to implement cogeneration systems, helping them develop those projects.