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 heat 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.
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