Combined Heat & Power

Micro-CHP uses the consumption of fuel to produce heat and electricity at the same time. It increases the efficiency of the electricity generation process and thus saves fuel and carbon. ‘There are 5 main types of Micro CHP systems including: ‘internal combustion (IC) engine, stirling engine, fuel cell, organic rankine cycle (ORC) and gas turbine.' [1]

The market for this technology is still very young, and so far limited field trials have been undertaken in the housing sector, however Micro CHP for domestic use is being considered as a technology for future investment through government funding to secure a reduction of carbon emissions in buildings.

As the low Carbon agenda picks up its pace this technology will become increasingly desirable in the building sector to reduce and save carbon emission in dwellings. The technology has most benefit for developments with a high heating demand and works particularly well for community heating schemes.

The Carbon Trust's downloadable publications include a useful guide to the technology.

Combined Heat and Power Association (CHPA)
CHPA is the association for Combined Heat and Power who work to promote the wider use of combined heat and power, as well as community heating
www.chpa.co.uk

The Carbon Trust
The Carbon Trust is one of the best sites for finding information on Low Carbon building. They can provide you with design advice to help you design your buildings more efficiently. They have a free design advice help line and depending on the size of your development you may be able to get free consultancy support. The Carbon Trust have a whole range of Low Carbon technical reports and publications that can be downloaded. To find out more have a look at their website.
www.carbontrust.co.uk

To access some of the reports you will need to register which is free

The Carbon Trust (Nov 2007) Micro- CHP Accelerator, Interim report
This comprehensive report includes an overview of Micro-CHP technology with information about core field trials on ten different designs of Micro CHP with detailed ‘real-life' monitoring of 87 Micro-CHP installations at a variety of different sites across the UK. Of these sites, 72 are domestic installations and the remaining 15 are in the commercial/ non-domestic sector. www.carbontrust.co.uk/Publications/publicationdetail.htm?

Action Energy for the Carbon Trust (April 2004) Combined heat and power for buildings, selecting, installing and operating CHP in buildings - a guide for building services engineers

This document provides and overview of CHP technologies and applications, integrating CHP with the site, financing options, implementing and operating CHP and further sources of information.
http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/Publications/publicationdetail.htm?

National House Building Council
The NHBC have produced two reports which review the opportunity for microgeneration and renewable technologies. The documents include guides to, technology overview, cost effectiveness and local impact.
http://www.nhbcfoundation.org/Portals/0/NF7%20-%20A%20Review http://www.nhbc.co.uk/NHBCpublications/LiteratureLibrary/

[1]The Carbon Trust (Nov 2007) Micro- CHP Accelerator, Interim report