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Is Combined Heat
and Power right
for your site?
Discover the questions that need
to be asked when looking into the
feasibility of a Combined Heat
and Power installation.

In order to determine whether a Combined Heat and Power system is

technically and financially viable for your site, you need to carry out an
initial scoping study.
Here are 8 points which the Carbon Trust suggests you consider prior to carrying out a more
detailed cogeneration feasibility study.

1. Have I evaluated other

energy efficiency measures?
Before looking into cogeneration, its important to have
carried out an energy audit. By making sure that any energy
saving measures have already been implemented, you
will be able to calculate the size of the potential CHP unit
accurately according to the baseload consumption.
Implementing energy saving measures after installing
Combined Heat and Power could result in an oversized unit,
compromising the benefits of the installation.

2. Is there sufficient basic

infrastructure in place?
Fuel supply:
Youll need to make sure you can get a secure and steady
supply of your chosen fuel which is adequate to produce
your sites heat requirements.

2. Is there sufficient basic

infrastructure in place?
Gas pipework:
For gas CHP youll need to check your pipework is the right
size and has enough pressure for the increased rate of gas
the unit will require. A lack of pressure may cause need
for a compressor, which will cost more in terms of capital
outlay and running costs.

2. Is there sufficient basic

infrastructure in place?
Electrical infrastructure:
If the CHP is connected to the grid, youll need to check
with the electricity supplier that the network can support
the connection. The control system must also meet legal
requirements, such as the safe disconnection of the CHP
unit in the event of a power cut.

3. Is the site physically

suitable?
Cogeneration requires additional equipment and pipework
to be installed. Youll need to ensure that the existing boiler
house is spacious enough for these requirements. Its also
worth assessing whether or not any areas of the site which
arent connected to the current boiler house would need to
be connected up to the new system.

4. Is the boiler plant

scheduled for replacement?
Combined Heat and Power could be considered as a partial
replacement, which would offset some of the capital costs
of the installation.

5. Will there be changes

to site size or production
levels?
If there are any planned changes such as site expansion
or an increase or decrease in production levels, the sites
energy demand will be affected. As a result, your CHP
project will need to take these changes into account in
order to be future-proofed.

6. What energy contracts are

currently in place?
If you are currently committed to long-term energy supply
contracts for gas and electricity, you need to understand
the impact of cogeneration on these contracts, as when
CHP enters operation you will be buying more gas but
consuming much less electricity.

7. What building
management or control
systems exist?
There may be an opportunity to upgrade the system in
order to integrate CHP into the existing plant control
system. You should assess the feasibility of integrating the
cogeneration system with your existing controls. Modern
CHP systems can include enough energy management
capacity to look after additional plant and building
operation. So if you dont currently have a BEMS system,
CHP could solve two problems at once.

8. Is there sufficient demand

for Combined Heat and
Power?
Combined Heat and Power only makes savings while
running, meaning there must be a constant outlet for
heat. According to the Carbon Trust, a rule of thumb is
that for CHP to be viable there must be a heat load for
at least 4,500 hours a year, which equates to an average
heat demand of about 17 hours a day for five days a week.
However, cogeneration may still be viable for sites with a
lower heat demand.

Takeaways
Before carrying out a detailed feasibility study, ask yourself:
Have I evaluated other energy efficiency measures?
Is there sufficient basic infrastructure in place?
Is the site physically suitable?
Is the boiler scheduled for replacement?
Will there be changes to site size or production levels?
What energy contracts are currently in place?
What building management or control systems exist?
Is there sufficient demand for Combined Heat and Power?

Find out more about understanding cogeneration cost.

Calculating CHP: A Guide

to Capital Costs

Download now your free eGuide now

www.energ.co.uk/chp
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Download your free eGuide now:

Calculating CHP: A Guide to Capital

Costs