Baxi-Senertec - CHP comes of age
The market for combined heat and
power (CHP) is set for dramatic growth over the next
five years, according to David Shaw*.
Rising energy prices and the need for convenient
retrofit solutions to help buildings meet the
requirements of the revised Part L of the Building
Regulations are driving up demand for Combined Heat and
Power in the UK.
Discerning owners are also creating a fashion for
microgeneration as they seek to prove their green
credentials. CHP could well become ‘the new Aga’ – the
must-have purchase for aspirational home owners looking
to invest in their properties and reduce their carbon
footprint.
Britain has lagged behind many other European countries
in the uptake of co-generation technologies, but this
irresistible combination of the pragmatic and the
fashionable is finally stoking our market.
CHP was always an attractive option for applications
with high heating loads, but it is proving even more
popular now because it can be adopted to complement
conventional boiler plant without a need to reconfigure
existing pipework and internal heat emitters.
It is a convenient and cost-effective way of improving
your carbon footprint without the major expenditure and
upheaval required to integrate renewables.
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is the simultaneous
generation of usable heat and power (usually
electricity) in a single process. It can be employed
over a wide range of sizes, applications, fuels and
technologies. The engine at the heart of the unit drives
a generator to produce three-phase electricity.
The principle is similar to a car in many ways. While
driving the generator, the engine produces heat that is
captured from its cooling system and diverted to provide
space and water heating in a building. The engines are
designed to be robust and reliable so will run for
thousands of hours, delivering up to 450,000 kWh of
electricity and 1.2 MW of usable heat.
Some or all of the electricity can be used on site and
any surplus fed back into the Grid via the building’s
electrical distribution panel. In a number of
applications, the CHP unit can be used as the lead
‘boiler’ in a modular set-up with heating-only equipment
as back-up and only used sparingly.
On-site microgeneration is widely regarded at the UK’s
best opportunity to reduce carbon emissions in line with
the tough goals we have been set since Kyoto.
Currently we derive more than 90 per cent of our energy
from gas-fired power stations, which waste more than 65
per cent of the energy they produce in rejected heat and
transmission losses. At a time when the UK has become a
net importer of natural gas, this is a criminal waste of
an increasingly finite and precious resource.
“We are literally throwing away over two thirds of the
energy we produce,” says Mike Malina, energy expert at
M&E Sustainability1. “Just 32 per cent of the energy
produced by central power stations actually ends up as
usable power – the rest is lost.
“These losses mean large central generation strategies
are doomed to failure – and that includes the new
generation of nuclear stations planned by the
Government. We must move towards a distributed energy
strategy with the majority of our energy generated
closer to the point of use by microgeneration systems if
we are to have any chance of meeting our carbon
reduction targets.
“CHP is an ideal solution as it is relatively easy to
adopt, is extremely flexible and can solve an end user’s
power and heating needs at a stroke,” adds Mr Malina.
Rather than throwing away the heat produced by the
electricity generation process, a CHP unit like Baxi
SenerTec’s Dachs SE, for example, can provide between
12.5kW and 15kW of heat output, while simultaneously
producing 5.5kW of electricity at an overall efficiency
of up to 92 per cent. With central power stations
operating at around 35 per cent efficiency and
conventional heating at around 80 per cent, at best, you
are looking at an overall efficiency for modern,
well-maintained conventional systems of just 60 per
cent.
In other words, two thirds of your electricity bill is
paying for heat that is thrown away up the cooling
towers of power stations. With CHP, the heat is not
thrown away it is turned into valuable heating and you
get the electricity very cheaply. At a time when
electricity costs are rising steadily, being able to
produce your own and keep your costs transparent is
proving increasingly attractive.
The latest CHP models are also designed to reduce
installation and commissioning time because they are
delivered to site as complete packages. For example, the
Dachs SE comes complete with a buffer vessel and all
heating system components including an integrated
control unit.
Buildings with high heating and energy demand are ideal
for CHP. Leisure centres and swimming pools, hotels,
hospitals, sheltered housing, fire stations, schools and
many others with either long running hours or periods of
intense demand will keep the CHP unit working almost
continuously.
This is when CHP is at its most efficient as all the
time the engine is running it is producing electricity.
The buffer tank will absorb and store excess heat for
release into the heating system when required and
importantly reduces the frequency of on/off cycling that
can be so damaging to engines.
The CHP unit can be easily integrated with existing
services and controlled via an integral controls module
that monitors the condition of the system and ensures
optimum operating efficiencies. CHP systems can also
form the heart of a trigeneration system that will
provide cooling as well as heating thanks to the
addition of a chiller.
SenerTec has also developed a G83 compatible connection
interface for the Dachs unit to ease the process of
transmitting electricity back to the Grid. It also has a
condensing option to drive up thermal efficiencies.
The Government has had a long-term target for doubling
CHP capacity in the country to 10,000 MW by 2010, but
until the revisions to Part L there were no practical
regulatory instruments for supporting this aim and no
grants were available because CHP is not a renewable.
So, despite its proven high efficiency, the technology
has had to stand on its own two feet.
Yet, the Government’s own statistics show that every 1
MW of CHP operating in the UK helps reduce carbon
emissions by between 510 and 760 tonnes every year. That
means the existing 5,792 MW installed, provided by about
1,500 sites across the UK, is already reducing the
country’s carbon emissions by over four million tonnes a
year.
There are some fiscal incentives available to encourage
wider take up of CHP. For example, the fuel used to
power good quality CHP and the electricity produced is
exempt from the Climate Change Levy, and purchases of
CHP systems will qualify for Enhanced Capital Allowances
(ECAs). They also attract a lower rate of VAT.
The EU Cogeneration Directive aims to double the amount
of electricity generated by CHP to 18 per cent of the
total market by 2010 through a series of incentives and
promotional measures. This would cut Europe’s carbon
emissions by 65 million tonnes a year.
Energy watchdog Ofgem has also ensured that small
electricity generators should now receive a fair price
for the electricity they sell back to the Grid under the
latest revisions to the New Electricity Trading
Arrangements (NETA).
Previously, this has proved a major stumbling block to
the uptake of micro-generation as major utilities did
not make it easy or economically attractive for small
generators to sell their electricity. However, Energy
Minister Malcolm Wicks has committed to a new system of
‘feed-in tariffs’, which will be the subject of a major
consultation later this year.
The Government has undertaken for its own departments to
receive 15 per cent of their energy from CHP generated
electricity; and will encourage other parts of the
public sector to adopt similar targets.
The UK still remains a long way behind many of our
European partners in the uptake of microgeneration
technologies. In Germany, for example, CHP is a common
sight and SenerTec alone has sold over 17,000 units –
there is even an ‘Owners Club’ for CHP enthusiasts.
It would be surprising if that level of enthusiasm were
to be replicated here, but the tide has definitely
turned. Sales of the Dachs unit have trebled in just
over a year in the UK, admittedly starting from a low
base. The combination of rising energy costs, growing
awareness of the need to reduce carbon emissions and
legislation that is now starting to bite is creating an
irresistible momentum for change.
1M&E Sustainability is a joint campaign created by the
HVCA and its sister trade body the Electrical
Contractors’ Association to promote the uptake of
sustainable design across the mechanical and electrical
contracting sector.*David Shaw is business manager of
Baxi SenerTec UK.
Email:
Chloe.gibsen@baxigroup.com
HYDRO INTERNATIONAL Rainwater Harvesting News 210408
AUDLEY Retirement community living News 210408
T.I. Dynamic Facades Façade and cladding systems News 210408
The Sash Window Workshop Timber Windows and Doors News 210408
Leach Rhodes Walker Commercial architecture practices News 210408
Britannia Kitchen Ventilation Ventilated ceiling system News 210408
SAS International Architectural Steelwork News 210408
Armitage Shanks Washroom Equipment Services News 210408
ISG Jackson Construction Services Specialists New Builds News 210408
Emirates Glass LEAF Awards Architectual Design Awards News 210408
Miller Construction Construction Company Housebuilding Property Development News 210408
Housing Units Independent furnishing store News 220408
Kurawood PLC Organically modified softwood News 220408
Carillion Construction, planning and architecture News 220408
The Wood Awards Premier award for wood in buildings and furniture News 220408
Arup Designers, engineers and business consultants News 220408
Bachy Soletanche Geotechnical Specialists Structural Retaining Walls News 220408
Underwood Carpenter Project and Construction Management Company News 220408
Arup Planning and project management News 220408
Hamptons International International residential agents News 220408
Persimmon Homes Essex Planning,construction and architecture News 220408
L.B. Plastics Window systems company News 230408
Icopal Roofing and construction membranes News 230408
Britspace Modular construction industry News 230408
HKR Architects Architecture, planning and development News 230408
Knauf Drywall Plasterboards Plasters Drylining Wall Linings News 230408
Weatherite Building Services Air Movement Fans Supply Extract Units News 230408
Monodraught Natural Daylighting Sundomes Natural Ventilation News 230408
Kingspan Off-Site Timber Frame Systems Engineered Flooring News 230408
SPG Heat & Power (CHP) Technology News 230408
Jackson Building Centres Building Products News 230408
AICO Fire and smoke saftey products News 230408
Aico Ltd Smoke and heat alarm systems News 230408
Aico Ltd Fire and smoke saftey News 240408
Kent Fire & Rescue Service Safer with Sprinklers News 240408
Trevi Shower valves and kits News 240408
ISG Plc Construction Services Specialists New Builds News 240408
British Gypsum Plaster Plasterboard and Drylining Systems News 240408
Kawneer Systems Curtain Wall Systems Door systems News 240408
Imperial Bathrooms Free Standing Wash Stations News 240408
Gleeds International Management and Construction Consultancy News 240408
Advanced Ergonomic Technologies Ltd Underfloor air conditioning Access Flooring News 250408
Joint Contracts Tribunal Standard forms of contracts News 250408
Inbuilt Sustainable buildings, communities and construction News 250408
Toshiba Air Conditioning Systems Chilled Beams Splits News 250408
Bison Precast concrete products News 250408
Honeywell International Valves Pipework Systems Motorised Valves News 250408
Oventrop Heating and domestic hot water systems News 250408
Harlequin floors Dance floor specialists 250408
Gleeds Management and Construction Consultancy News 250408
Knauf Drywall Plasterboards Plasters Drylining Wall Linings News 250408
MITA Cable management systems News 280408
Senior Hargreaves Sheet metal products for building ventilation systems News 280408
British Woodworking Federation Joinery proffesional and woodworking industry News 280408
RMJM Architects International firm of architects News 280408
Stormsaver Rainwater harvesting systems News 280408
SSQ Slate products for construction industry News 280408
Corus Panels and Profiles Panels and Profiles News 280408
Tarkett Fully Flexible Sheet and Tiles News 280408
ISG Jackson Construction Services Specialists New Builds News 280408
Ward Insulated Panels Metal Roof Cladding Systems News 280408
Miller Construction Property development and construction News 280408
SPACIOTEMPO Modular temporary or permanent buildings News 280408
Spectrum Industrial Signs, cigarette litterbins and smoking shelters News 280408
Enact Energy National Home Energy Conference News 290408
Marshalls Hard landscaping transformation company News 300408
CMS Specialist Geotechnical Solutions News 300408
Clark Contracts Construction, planning and development News 300408
Isover Glass Mineral Wool Insulation News 300408
Lowry Homes Architecture, planning and construction News 300408
Marshalls Hard landscaping transformation company News 300408
Simmtronic Lighting Control Management Systems Dimming News 300408
DLG Architects Architecture, planning and development News 300408
Optex Europe Indoor Infrared Sensors CCTV Security News 300408
DGT Steel and Cladding Steel and Cladding News 300408
GROHE Tap and shower manufacturer News 300408
McKean & Company Construction company News 300408
Armstrong Valves Pipework Systems News 300408
English Partnerships National regeneration agency News 300408
WindowMaster Natural ventilation and smoke detection solutions News 300408
Silverdell (UK) Ltd Asbestos Removal Contractors News 010508
CONNAUGHT Construction planning and development News 010508
Kawneer Curtain Wall Systems Door systems News 010508
Kingspan Insulation Premium and high performance insulation products News 010508
Alpha Rail Fencing Railing Designs News 010508
Monodraught Car Park Ventilation Natural Daylighting Sundomes News 010508
Polyflor Sports Surfaces Safety Flooring News 010508
Westgate Joinery Timber and joinery products News 020508
Marshalls Street Furniture Hard landscaping transformation company News 020508
Eaton Williams Climate control solutions News 020508
The National Lottery Love UK campaign News 020508
Baxi-Senertec Combined heat and power News 020508
Kalzip Innovative aluminium roof and wall cladding system News 020508
Arundel Jones Associates Ltd
Hill Farm, Linton Hill, Maidstone, Kent ME17 4AL
Tel : 01622 745333
news@buildingdesign.co.uk
Registered in England and Wales No.
07334149
copyright all rights reserved
News Categories : Combined heat and power
|
Combined
heat and power
