Decentralised energy solutions
The majority of countries worldwide are striving to achieve climate neutrality over the coming two or three decades. The role of combined heat and power generation is shifting away from constantly seeking to replace coal-based electricity generation to becoming a generator which produces residual load using renewable gases. Decentralised joint use of heat pumps and combined heat and power plants in particular can play a beneficial role in the overall system.
By integrating electricity and heat supply, both generation systems can contribute to a networked energy supply across sectors, directly enhancing the overall system’s efficiency and supply reliability.
Sector coupling
CHP – Back-up for unpredictable electricity generation
The basic prerequisite for energy transition is the expansion of renewable energy usage for electricity generation on a massive scale, especially wind and photovoltaic systems.
This poses new challenges for the energy system. The unpredictable nature of electricity generation calls for a backup system for times when the sun doesn't shine sufficiently and there is little wind, to provide what is known as residual load.
Decentralised combined heat and power units are also the ideal reserve in a renewable energy supply system, given that the need for flexible electricity generation is on-going, especially during colder, sun-deprived winter months.
Combined heat and power units – Decentralised CHP systems
A prime example of decentralised cogeneration, combined heat and power units based on motor technology can fully exploit their technological advantages of maximum efficiency, rapid availability and total flexibility.
Positioned decentrally, block heating power units reduce the costs of the energy transition directly and reinforce the electricity distribution grid. In the process, the potential high condensing heat utilisation ensures excellent overall efficiencies.
Moreover, the units are already designed for use with renewable gases, which will allow fully carbon-neutral operation in the future as hydrogen and biogenic gases become increasingly available.
“In 2035, gas power plants will produce 86 TWh of electricity. (...) Power plants with high electrical efficiencies and CHP systems with high overall utilisation ratios accumulate markedly more operational hours throughout the year than peak-load power plants.”
Provision of electricity in Germany – Forecast for 2045
CHP unit and heat pump
The combination between heat pumps and combined heat and power units brings technical, environmental and financial benefits in many cases.
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