Cogeneration Rising (Distributed Energy Magazine)
The January-February 2007 issue of Distributed Energy Magazine includes two case studies of successful on-site generation projects that capture heat from power generation and put it to productive uses.
February 27, 2007
"DE Grows in Brooklyn"
The author describes a combined heat and power (CHP) generation project for a cooperative apartment building in New York. The residents own the building's grid-tied microturbines, have lower utility bills, and keep power during brownouts. Microturbines are becoming popular in Asia, where it's not uncommon to find a small unit humming away under the kitchen sink. I'm looking forward to seeing them reach the U.S. residential market.
"Twenty-Two Floors of Energy Efficiency"
The author describes a cogeneration project for a commercial high-rise. Waste heat from on-site power generation is used to chill the water for the building's air conditioning system. Air conditioning is a major source of summer peak power demand. At this southern California location, an on-site system that can both generate and save energy could be a real asset.