Site Heat & Power Demands
A good understanding of current and future heat and power demands is the best basis for CHP plant selection and design.
CHP units produce heat and power simultaneously. A good CHP system will, in theory, aim to use all the heat and power produced. In practice, however, a larger CHP plant in which not all of the heat is used may provide better economics and enhanced environmental benefits.
A good understanding of site heat and power demand is required before an appropriate unit can be selected. Site demand information will show how normal (average) demand profiles vary with:
- Time of day, e.g. early morning and early evening peaks
- Day of the week, e.g. different demand profiles at weekends
- Season of the year, e.g. demands for heating or cooling in certain months.
When a CHP plant has been sized, it is always wise to compare the economics and environmental benefits with those for a plant that is one size larger and one size smaller than that proposed. This gives considerable insight into the sensitivity of the proposal to changes in energy use.
An indication of daily heat and power demand profiles for hospitals and hotels can be obtained using CHP sizer software.
CHP plant represents a capital-intensive investment which provides cost savings only if there are sufficient heat and power demands throughout the forecast life of the plant, consideration should also be given to likely future demand patterns:
- Are any energy efficiency measures planned which, when implemented, will reduce the current demand for heat and/or power?
- Are there any planned changes to the business activity, the process, the building or the occupancy that will increase or reduce energy demand?
For example, in a sports centre, is a swimming pool planned? Will more electrical sports equipment be installed? In a hotel, will the fabric of the building be insulated, or will double-glazing be installed?
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