dena GmbH - German Energy Agency
Go directly to: Main navigation | Content area | Search function | Furter information, contact persons and links | Service functions
Go directly to: Main navigation | Content area | Search function | Furter information, contact persons and links | Service functions
You are here:Home > Topics > Energy Systems > Projects > Combined Heat and Power Generation
The cogeneration of electricity and heat (combined heat and power, or CHP) improves the efficiency of power stations. CHP can also reduce costs in both the industrial sector and private households.
The use of highly efficient technologies for electricity generation becomes more and more important considering the necessary renewal of German power plants, the agreement on the structured phase-out of the utilisation of nuclear energy for the commercial generation of electricity and the rise of energy prices.
By the cogeneration of electricity and heat (combined heat and power, or CHP) more primary energy is converted to useful energy. CHP thus plays an important role in the improvement of energy efficiency at the generation site. Additionally, CHP contributes to resource conservation, environmental protection and the mitigation of climate change.
CHP can be applied to central power plants for district heating but is also suitable to provide process heat in the industrial sector and to supply individual properties with thermal energy and electricity.
dena supports decision makers in politics by taking up a position on laws and ordinances related to CHP (CHP Act (KWKG), Energy Industry Act (EnWG), Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV), Energy Tax Act (EnStG)) and develops strategies for the further expansion of CHP. Also the demand of potential operators of decentralized CHP-plants for information and consultancy services can be satisfied by dena’s expertise.
Mini and micro CHP facilities are often applied to energy efficiency projects coordinated by dena concerning refurbishment of buildings and energy supply services (contracting).The customer generation of electricity and heat decreases not only costs but also saves primary energy.
dena also provides tools for property management companies which help to evaluate, plan and implement CHP units.
