Combined Heat and Power Plants

What is a combined heat and power unit?

CHP units are modular systems for the combined generation of electrical energy and heat (combined heat and power). CHP units can be used wherever there is a corresponding demand for heat (preferably all year round).

Is a CHP also interesting for me?

The right design is crucial for the economic efficiency of CHP units. A sound analysis of the heat demand of your connected consumers is therefore a prerequisite.

The rule of thumb for calculating the size of the CHP unit is a design amounting to 30 % of the peak heat output. With this dimensioning, the CHP unit can cover 60 to 80 % of the annual heat requirement for 4,000 to 6,000 annual hours, depending on the characteristics of the heat consumers.

Biogenic fuels

In addition to natural gas as a fuel, biogenic fuels such as biogas, sewage gas or landfill gas as well as wood gas can also be used in a CHP unit. This is particularly suitable where the corresponding fuels are available locally.

BIOGAS AND BIOMETHANE

An economical alternative to natural gas CHP plants (especially for biogas producers) can be the construction and operation of a dedicated biogas CHP plant or even a dedicated biogas network. Biogas can be used directly in biogas CHP plants after purification of water and hydrogen sulphide; carbon dioxide separation is not necessary.

WOOD GAS

Wood gasifier CHP units offer an interesting option for combined heat and power generation in the small and medium output range. After initial teething troubles, a number of manufacturers have been able to establish themselves on the market with a large number of successfully operated systems.

As with natural gas or biogas-fuelled CHP units, the optimum system size in relation to the existing heat consumers is also of decisive importance for wood gasifier CHP units. In addition, with wood gasifiers, the fuel specification must be precisely matched to the requirements of the respective gasifier type and, if applicable, with regard to the EEG remuneration classes.

Both pellets and wood chips of different grain sizes and qualities are used as fuel. The tried and tested wood gasifier CHP units cover an output range of 70 to 250 kW thermal and 30 to 180 kW electrical. The high electrical efficiencies of 20 to 30 % are noteworthy in this small output range. The manufacturers guarantee up to 7,500 full load hours per year. With these performance data, extremely attractive heat generation costs can be realised when using wood gasifier CHP units to cover the base heat load.

What can we do for you?

We would be happy to assess whether the use of a CHP unit to cover your heat and electricity requirements is of interest given your general conditions.

We support you from the feasibility analysis through project planning and approval to implementation.