Catalyst Power recently partnered with OHA Power, a developer and operator of distributed cogeneration systems, to provide power and thermal energy solutions for commercial and industrial businesses in New York and New Jersey. Learn more about our partnership with OHA Power here.
That’s great news for us and our customers, but you’re probably wondering, what exactly is cogeneration? Cogeneration, also known as combined heat and power (CHP), is a system that produces heat and electricity in one process to save significant amounts of energy. This approach not only saves substantial amounts of energy but also maximizes efficiency. Often referred to as “waste heat recovery,” cogeneration is used to power industrial processes or supply heating and cooling for large buildings, like hospitals, nursing homes, and universities.
How It Works: Harnessing Energy Efficiency
As a system, cogeneration produces electricity and heat all together in a single plant, powered by just one primary energy source. This integrated function guarantees nearly all the thermal energy produced during combustion or generation processes is utilized and not lost to the environment, which typically happens with traditional plants. Instead, the heat that would normally be lost in the power generation process (and dissipated into the environment) is recovered and reused.
Examples of cogeneration look like the Stony Brook Power Plant in Stony Brook, New York, which sells electricity and steam to its nearby State University of New York Stony Brook. The College of New Jersey also owns and operates a cogeneration plant “utilizing one dual-fuel Solar Turbines, Inc. Taurus turbine,” showcasing the versatility and efficiency of this technology.
Cogeneration can use a range of technologies and fuels, including renewable energy, natural gas, diesel, biogas, bio-methane, vegetable oil, or biomass. This offers a flexible and sustainable approach to energy production.
What are the Benefits of Cogeneration?
Cogeneration offers considerable benefits. “CHP technology can be deployed quickly, cost-effectively, and with few geographic limitations. CHP can use a variety of fuels, both fossil- and renewable-based,” according to the Department of Energy. “It is reasonable to expect CHP applications to operate at 65%–75% efficiency, a large improvement over the national average of about 50% for these services when separately provided.”
This is great news for your business if you’re looking to increase your overall efficiency and reduce high energy costs. The cogeneration process also offers environmental benefits by lowering your carbon emissions and turning your business into a more sustainable, cost-effective machine (no pun intended).
Partnering for Success
If you’re looking for an efficient way to streamline your business’ energy management processes and drive cost savings, cogeneration is a great option. Our team of Energy Experts at Catalyst Power is dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of energy optimization and unlock the full potential of cogeneration technology.
