A New Perspective on Energy

[Bdog]

http://www.bchp.org/

Integrated systems for CHP for buildings improve efficiency of energy utilization to as much as 85% compared to that of about 51% for conventional systems. Increased efficiency of energy utilization decreases the amount of fossil fuel consumed per unit of energy used and leads to 40% reduction in air emissions compared to conventional centralized power plants.

Integrated systems for cooling, heating and power (CHP) for buildings incorporate multiple technologies for providing energy services to a single building or to a campus of buildings. Electricity to such buildings is provided by on-site or near-site power generators using one or more of the many options: internal combustion (IC) engines, combustion turbines, miniturbines or microturbines, and fuel cells. In CHP systems, waste heat from power generation equipment is recovered for operating equipment for cooling, heating, or controlling humidity in buildings, by using absorption chillers, desiccant dehumidifiers, or heat recovery equipment for producing steam or hot water. These integrated systems are known by a variety of acronyms: CHP, CHPB (Cooling, Heating and Power for Buildings), CCHP (Combined Cooling Heating and Power), BCHP (Buildings Cooling, Heating and Power), and IES (Integrated Energy Systems).

CHP systems provide many benefits, including:

reduced energy costs,
improved power reliability,
increased energy efficiency, and
improved environmental quality.