Why Choose Combined Heat and Power?

CHP is first and foremost an energy efficiency technology. It provides a means to substantially reduce fuel, or ‘primary energy’, consumption without compromising the quality and reliability of the energy supply to consumers. Consequently it provides a cost-effective means of generating low-carbon or renewable energy.

Direct benefits of CHP include:

• A minimum of 10% energy and carbon dioxide savings required by the CHP Quality Assurance scheme with many installations delivering markedly more
• Cost savings of between 15% and 40% over electricity sourced from the grid and heat generated by on-site boilers (see explanation)
• High overall efficiency – up to 80% or more at the point of use
• A proven and reliable technology with numerous successful installations throughout the world

These in turn deliver a range of beneficial outcomes:

• A reduction in the cost of energy can improve competitiveness of industry and business, help to alleviate fuel poverty and lower cost in delivery of public services
• Enhanced security of supply, makes energy go further, through more efficient use of fuel
• Increased flexibility and reliability of energy supply, both nationally and locally – as CHP can complement and enhance other forms of energy generation
• Flexible and responsive heat supplies – the thermal energy (heat or cooling) produced by CHP can be easily stored and later delivered to meet demand as required by the user
• Reduced overall demand on centralised power supply, such as large scale coal or gas fired power stations – which reduces stress on the electricity grid; more and more important as the UK’s ageing power stations are decommissioned