Generate heat and power simultaneously with micro-CHP technology
Micro-CHP systems have been used industrially since the 1970s, and are expected to become more commonly used domestically in the coming years as the technology develops and more products enter the market.
How does micro-CHP technology work?
Micro combined heat and power systems tend to be powered by mains gas or liquified petroleum gas. These are fossil fuels, meaning micro-CHP technology isn’t free from carbon or considered a renewable energy system, like a heat pump.
However, the technology is still considered sustainable because it’s more efficient and generates less emissions than other fossil fuel-powered forms of heating - such as a conventional boiler, which cannot generate electricity at the same time as heat. It’s also more efficient because micro-CHP generates electricity on site, rather than taking it from the grid, where some is always lost on its way to your home.
Three different kinds of micro-CHP technologies
Stirling engine
A Stirling engine is an external combustion engine that’s attached to a normal boiler, and heats up when the boiler is turned on. This causes gas to expand, pumping a piston and generating electricity. Because it relies on the boiler’s heat to operate, a Stirling engine can only produce electricity when the central heating is on.
Internal combustion engine
These systems work similarly to vehicle engines, but are adapted to run on natural gas or heating oil. They’re connected to a generator, and as the engine runs it produces waste heat which can be harnessed for heating. Since the engines are very noisy and large, they aren’t ideal for home use, and are usually only installed in commercial settings.
Fuel cell CHP technology
Instead of burning fuel, this technology takes energy from it at a chemical level. It converts the methane in gas into carbon dioxide and hydrogen. This hydrogen then reacts with the oxygen in the fuel cell to create electricity, and waste heat from this process is captured and used for heating.
Can you save money with micro-CHP technology?
While a micro-CHP system is a straightforward and more sustainable replacement for a conventional boiler, and will cost the same to maintain, it’s more expensive to set up.
However, this technology can kill two birds with one stone by producing electricity and heat simultaneously, so it’ll save you money on your energy bills. The amount of electricity it can produce is limited - up to 1kW - so it likely won’t meet all of your household’s needs or spur significant savings, but all the same, you’ll need to buy less electricity from the grid. Plus, through the Smart Export Guarantee, you can get paid for any energy you create but don’t use.
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