The Zero-Carbon House by Martin Godrey Cook

Author:Martin Godrey Cook [Martin Godfrey Cook]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781847973313
Publisher: Crowood
Published: 2011-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Micro-Combined Heat and Power (CHP)

Combined heat and power (CHP) uses the heat from the generation of electricity for space-heating purposes, and is cost-effective in building types such as hospitals, because they are continuously occupied with a consequent need for continuous space heating in the heating season. Micro-CHP units for domestic use are now available and give each household the potential to become mini-power stations, also potentially eliminating the large transmission losses usually associated with supplying electricity from large power stations. Micro-systems are usually powered by gas and produce electricity and heat from the single fuel source. Many micro-CHP units are based on the Stirling external combustion engine (patented in 1816), which has a sealed system and uses an inert working fluid, such as helium or hydrogen. They are dissimilar to internal combustion engines and are no noisier than an ordinary boiler.

Domestic CHP units vary in size from half a kilowatt upwards and currently cost a few thousand pounds. As electricity is only generated when there is a demand for heat, other supplies of electricity are usually required – unless linked to batteries or fuel cells to store electricity for use when the CHP unit is not running. Mass-produced CHP units should reduce in price in due course, and are worth considering when replacing boilers – payback periods of a few years are possible.

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