Discover how you can overcome some of the pitfalls associated with planning cogeneration projects

1. www.energ-group.com/chp
Step by step CHP:
The pitfalls to avoid
between planning
and design

2. Cogeneration can save money, conserve
energy, and reduce emissions - but
specifying the right unit for the site in
question has its pitfalls.
Find out how to avoid these common mistakes
when taking your CHP project from planning
through to design.

3. Risks to the viability of a CHP project

4. Risks to the viability of a CHP project
Poor site energy
efficiency
Mis-sizing plant Site-specific issues

5. Risks to the viability of a CHP project
Poor site energy
efficiency
Mis-sizing plant
The wrong choice of fuel
Site-specific issues
The finance model

6. Risks to the viability of a CHP project
Poor site energy
efficiency
Mis-sizing plant
The wrong choice of fuel
Site-specific issues
The finance model
None of these problems, however, are insurmountable.

7. Poor site energy efficiency
Greater and longer term benefits are available if energy saving measures are implemented and
poor performing plant are improved before sizing a CHP system.

8. Poor site energy efficiency
Greater and longer term benefits are available if energy saving measures are implemented and
poor performing plant are improved before sizing a CHP system.
So check:
Building insulation
Lighting
Power factor
Existing boiler
efficiency

9. Poor site energy efficiency
Greater and longer term benefits are available if energy saving measures are implemented and
poor performing plant are improved before sizing a CHP system.
So check:
Building insulation
Lighting
Power factor
Existing boiler
efficiency
Every 1°C
of site
overheating
adds 8%
to heating
costs

10. Mis-sizing plant
Detail is vital when sizing CHP.

11. Mis-sizing plant
Detail is vital when sizing CHP.
Calculate hourly consumption of power
and gas during the working day, the
week and season to season.

12. Mis-sizing plant
Detail is vital when sizing CHP.
Calculate hourly consumption of power
and gas during the working day, the
week and season to season.
Economical viability typically requires
a heat demand all year of at least 17
hours a day, 5 days a week.

13. Mis-sizing plant
Detail is vital when sizing CHP.
Calculate hourly consumption of power and
gas during the working day, the week and
season to season.
Economical viability typically requires
a heat demand all year of at least 17
hours a day, 5 days a week.
The ratio of heat to power should
govern the choice of CHP technology and
size. Mismatch could dramatically reduce
potential CHP gains.

14. Future-proofing

15. Future-proofing
What are the prospects of fuel
and electricity cost changes?
Are energy efficiency measures in
place?

16. Future-proofing
What are the prospects of fuel
and electricity cost changes?
Does the business have plans to
expand?
Are energy efficiency measures in
place?
Will the site’s heat and power
demands change?

17. Site-specific issues
Overlooking the detail in the crucial connections of the CHP system can lead to costs over
running during installation.

18. Site-specific issues
Overlooking the detail in the crucial connections of the CHP system can lead to costs over
running during installation.
Check the exact siting of:
The gas network
connection
The power network
connection
A connection to local
heat network where
available
A heat rejection outlet
where needed

19. Site-specific issues
Overlooking the detail in the crucial connections of the CHP system can lead to costs over
running during installation.
Check the exact siting of:
Are there planning requirements
or noise abatement issues to be
considered?
The gas network
connection
The power network
connection
A connection to local
heat network where
available
A heat rejection outlet
where needed

20. Site-specific issues
Overlooking the detail in the crucial connections of the CHP system can lead to costs over
running during installation.
Check the exact siting of:
Are there planning requirements
or noise abatement issues to be
considered?
Can the gas pipework
accommodate the increased
volume of gas?
The gas network
connection
The power network
connection
A connection to local
heat network where
available
A heat rejection outlet
where needed

21. Site-specific issues
Overlooking the detail in the crucial connections of the CHP system can lead to costs over
running during installation.
Check the exact siting of:
Are there planning requirements
or noise abatement issues to be
considered?
Can the gas pipework
accommodate the increased
volume of gas?
Will the power network support
your connection?
The gas network
connection
The power network
connection
A connection to local
heat network where
available
A heat rejection outlet
where needed

22. Fuel Selection and Procurement

23. Fuel Selection and Procurement
Check the duration and
volumes in your gas and
electricity supply contract -
there could be exit fees.

24. Fuel Selection and Procurement
Do you have biogas available?
Some biogases can contain
corrosive components, so the
choice of CHP plant is crucial
as is the choice of lubricant.
Check the duration and
volumes in your gas and
electricity supply contract -
there could be exit fees.

25. Finance model

26. Finance model
Invest your own money to get all
the cost benefits but take on all
the risk.

27. Finance model
Invest your own money to get all
the cost benefits but take on all
the risk.
Utilise third party financing to
share the benefits and minimise
the risks.

28. Check out the incentives

29. Check out the incentives
CHP can attract tax and other benefits that can
boost the economy...

30. Check out the incentives
CHP can attract tax and other benefits that can
boost the economy...
...especially when specified to meet the
requirements of ‘good quality’ CHP under the
CHPQA scheme.

31. Checklist
To avoid the pitfalls in cogeneration, detailed design is the only design. Remember to:

32. Audit energy
efficiency measures.
Correctly size the
plant based on heat
and power demands.
Manage your fuel
selection and cost.
Checklist
To avoid the pitfalls in cogeneration, detailed design is the only design. Remember to:

33. Audit energy
efficiency measures.
Correctly size the
plant based on heat
and power demands.
Mitigate any site specific
issues that might affect
installation.
Manage your fuel
selection and cost.
Select a finance
model that suits the
project.
Checklist
To avoid the pitfalls in cogeneration, detailed design is the only design. Remember to:

34. 01
CHP Project Planning: How
to Plan CHP Equipment
Installation
www.energ.co.uk/chp