Does Combined Heat and Power fit into the future low carbon world?

Currently CHP remains the more carbon friendly approach in nearly all regions within the United States (and globally); the current sole exception is the NYUP region with Niagara Falls hydro power. However, Clean Power Plan or not, the grid is becoming cleaner with renewable energy making up over 60 percent of new US generation capacity in 2015. The future is even brighter with speculation that 80 percent of electricity produced in 2050 will be from renewable sources. Extrapolation of this trend will see eGRID emission rates dropping to that of NYUP and below. The inflection point where the grid turns the story of CHP from an efficient carbon saver to an unsustainable fossil fuel approach is likely well within the typical 30+ year lifespan of new installations.

EnergyMatthew YamatinMarch 3, 2016CHP, cogeneration, low carbon, carbon tax, renewable energy, sustainabilityComment