MicroCHP
A Micro-CHP unit is a miniature CHP unit designed to provide heat and power to a small building such as a dwelling, in place of a conventional boiler.
Most Micro-CHP products use Stirling engine technology. Micro-CHP systems are normally ‘heat-led' and only generate electricity when there is a demand for heating or hot water. A Carbon Trust trial has demonstrated that the carbon and cost savings from Micro-CHP are generally better for buildings where they can operate for long and consistent heating periods. It was also found that in small commercial applications Micro-CHP systems can provide typical carbon savings of 15 to 20 per cent when installed as the lead boiler in appropriate environments.
Summary
-
small scale CHP for individual dwellings
- capacity factor: 50-70 per cent
- constraints: heat demand, still at development stage
- advantages: efficient use of natural gas
- typical lifetime: is not yet tested but likely to be 10-15 years
Examples
There are numerous trial installations for testing and development but no case studies have yet been published.
Links
- Carbon Trust Field Trials
- CT Micro-CHP Accelerator - Interim report (exec. Summary), 2007
