Combined heat and power (CHP) systems are uniquely qualified to provide cleaner, reliable energy close to where it is consumed, supporting our communities and making them more resilient in the face of a changing climate. The report examines the current state of the electric grid and gas system in the U.S., the future of each, and how CHP will continue to work with these systems to provide cleaner, reliable energy that will support our communities and make them more resilient in the face of a changing climate.
The electric grid of the future will connect more distributed resources, will include more microgrids, and will be less carbon intensive. CHP systems are an integral part of the grid of the future, providing energy close to where it is consumed, enhancing resiliency, and reducing emissions.
The gas system of the future will be greener as well, incorporating more clean fuels such as renewable natural gas (RNG) and clean hydrogen. CHP systems are an important part of this system too, as they can use these clean fuels efficiently, requiring less fuel inputs to achieve the same energy outputs.
Attributes of CHP systems make this technology uniquely qualified to provide cleaner, reliable, and more resilient electric and thermal energy resources, including:
- In almost all regions of the U.S., CHP systems installed through 2035 and operating through 2050 are expected to cause a net reduction in carbon emissions over their system life.
- Properly designed CHP systems typically operate with an overall efficiency of 65-85 percent.
- CHP systems require less fuel inputs for the same energy outputs, saving money and reducing emissions.
- CHP can be integrated with other clean resources, including as part of a net-zero energy facility.
- CHP is the backbone of many microgrids, and used in 67% of continuously operating microgrids in the U.S.
- Flexible CHP systems can provide generating capacity to the utility electric grid when demand increases or intermittent renewable resources are not available.
- Renewable and lower-carbon fuel technologies such as RNG and hydrogen can serve as the primary fuel source for CHP systems.
We want to give a special thanks to the report sponsors: Caterpillar Inc., Martin Energy Group, Northeast-Western Energy Systems, Siemens Energy Inc., INNIO Jenbacher, and AB Energy.