Cogen, or as it is commonly known as combined heat and power (CHP), is a process of simultaneous generation of electrical energy and usable heat from one primary source of energy, most often the natural gas or biofuels. With several explanations and definitions, it still mostly defines the scientific process wherein a single source of fuel or energy is producing two or more variations of energy. This process of cogeneration is also called recycled energy sometimes.
The workings of a cogen plant are intricate and distinctive because, apart from generating energy, it is also generating usable biofuels simultaneously. A cogen plant differs from a normal power plant, wherein, it generates electricity and releases the heat into the environment as exhaust, wastage of energy. A biomass cogeneration system then is what repurposes this released heat into a useful form of energy.
A typically efficient cogeneration process can be quite energy efficient, with systems that range from 65 to 90 percent. Business houses that employ a cogeneration process can significantly decrease their operational costs while improving their self-sufficiency. Meanwhile, they also add to the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants.
While we’re talking about how employing a cogen plant reduces environmental distress, there are many other significant benefits of using cogeneration. One of the main reasons to use cogen is to save energy and costs by reducing fuel consumption. This is because, when you use cogen, the fuel energy is converted into mechanical or electrical energy, which leads to almost no wastage of the bulk of the heat that’s released in the process. Hence, less fuel is needed to generate the same amount of useful work that a typical power plant would produce.
Other benefits of cogen include lower fuel costs, reduced fuel storage, and transportation needs, reduced emissions, and less wear and tear on the machinery due to the reduced exposure to pollutants. One very important benefit of cogeneration is security, as cogen is considered a secure power supply as it provides stand-alone power which isn’t dependent on a municipal power grid. Hence, a business that uses cogen is independent in its power needs and can operate off-grid too, to meet a surge in power demands.
A typical cogen plant comprises an electricity generator and a heat-recovery system. Apart from that, a variety of fuels can be used in a cogen plant-like natural gas, diesel, gasoline, coal, and biofuels.
