CHP applications can operate at about 75% efficiency, a significant improvement over the national average of about 50% for these services when provided separately.
Combined heat and power (CHP), also known as cogeneration, is:
The concurrent production of electricity or mechanical power and useful thermal energy (heating and/or cooling) from a single source of energy.
A type of distributed generation, which, unlike central station generation, is located at or near the point of consumption.
A suite of technologies that can use a variety of fuels to generate electricity or power at the point of use, allowing the heat that would normally be lost in the power generation process to be recovered to provide needed heating and/or cooling.
CHP technology can be deployed quickly, cost-effectively, and with few geographic limitations. CHP can use a variety of fuels and has been employed for many years, mostly in industrial, large commercial, and institutional applications. CHP may not be widely recognized outside industrial, commercial, institutional, and utility circles, but it has quietly been providing highly efficient electricity and process heat to some of the most vital industries, largest employers, urban centers, and campuses in the United States. It is reasonable to expect CHP applications to operate at 65%–75% efficiency, a large improvement over the national average of about 50% for these services when separately provided.
CHP R&D Program
As energy systems evolve, there is a need to develop new CHP technologies to provide solutions to emerging challenges. A major focus of the current CHP R&D Program is the development of flexible CHP systems that can provide support services to the modern electric grid to keep it stable and secure. The R&D portfolio is also developing more efficient turbines for CHP, high power-to-heat ratio CHP systems, and tools and analysis for CHP in microgrids and district energy systems.
CHP in Onsite Energy Program
Onsite energy refers to electric and thermal energy generation and storage technologies that are physically located at an end-user site and provide energy services directly to the end user. The U.S. Department of Energy's Onsite Energy Program provides technical assistance and resources to industrial facilities and other large end users interested in onsite energy and engages with stakeholders to facilitate more widespread adoption of onsite energy technologies, including CHP. Explore CHP deployment resources, including databases, fact sheets, reports, and issue briefs.