Plant Location
The location of the CHP plant needs to be considered carefully as there are several factors that affect the choice of its position:
- The plant must be sited where it can remain for a long period of time without disrupting or obstructing normal site use, either initially or in the future. There must be sufficient space to allow access for maintenance purposes and also to house any auxiliary equipment.
- The plant must be sited on foundations that are suitable for the loads imposed by the plant; this may require the construction of a concrete base.
- The plant must be located in a position from which the recovered heat can be passed into the site heating systems. This will usually involve installing some new hot water pipework, but it is preferable to keep the length of this pipework to a minimum.
- The plant must be connected to the site electrical distribution and fuel supply systems. These connections influence plant location, although the routing and installation of fuel pipework and electrical cabling are usually less complex and expensive than the pipework for the hot water connections.
- The CHP plant may require the installation of a new chimney, and this should be taken into account when choosing the plant location.
- Although most CHP engines and gas turbines are supplied with acoustic enclosures, noise is produced by the plant and its auxiliary equipment. Since the plant may operate almost continuously, its location should, where possible, minimise the impact of the noise emitted.
- The location should allow provision to be made for storing additional fuel (e.g. additional boiler backup fuel), lubricants and other items necessary for effective plant operation.
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