CHP/ Combine Heat Power Unite

[LazyDog]

Overkill had a great post regarding large power generation. If you happen to miss it, here is the title

PowerGen pros and cons - an honest discussion​

In a smaller scale for a home owner, small town or even a manufacturing facility can used a CHP unite. Think of it this way, for home owners an appliance the size of a refrigerator that runs on any fuel and produces electricity like a generator but uses the heat to provide hot water for showers or for heating the house.
The CHP is smart enough to transfer any excess energy/ power into the grid or to a battery bank system.

 

[paqza]

My building during grad school ran on a CHP unit with a solid oxide fuel cell running off natural gas. Seemed to work really well in that application though it was way larger than what you'd need for a standard (or even large) home.

 

[LazyDog]

There is no reason that the size can not be adjusted to the needs, the article that I read was a home owner running one in the country side/ England.

 

[PimTac]

I think this is a great idea.

 

[OVERKILL]

Thanks for bringing this up

Yes, I've seen a few different designs, I believe Shannow shared a really promising one at one point that was being marketed in the UK?

There's of course large-scale CHP as well. China is doing that with two of their AP1000's:
https://www.powermag.com/china-starts-up-first-nuclear-cogeneration-project-at-ap1000-plant/

Though they are a little light on the details.

 

[OVERKILL]

Found the one I discussed with Shannow!

https://www.solidpower.com/en/bluegen/

 

[LazyDog]

Found the one I discussed with Shannow!

https://www.solidpower.com/en/bluegen/

Gracias, thanks for the link.

 

[OVERKILL]

Gracias, thanks for the link.

You are quite welcome!

 

[Rmay635703]

https://global.honda/innovation/technology/power/cogeneration-picturebook.html

Japan has had 1kw MICRO CHP for home use for over a decade, mainly due to their weak electrical grid but also because the Japanese need to live more efficiently to survive

 

[PandaBear]

Will this be cheaper than HVAC based heating? Also the noise level of a 4 stroke engine may be a bit much for a residential unit. For large scale system a fuel cell based unit may help reduce peak electricity use in the grid but unless it is used as an absorption based cooling + cogeneration it won't be the best IMO.

 

[LazyDog]

Will this be cheaper than HVAC based heating? Also the noise level of a 4 stroke engine may be a bit much for a residential unit. For large scale system a fuel cell based unit may help reduce peak electricity use in the grid but unless it is used as an absorption based cooling + cogeneration it won't be the best IMO.

The system can actually be place outside the house or in a garage location.

 

[PandaBear]

The system can actually be place outside the house or in a garage location.

It would be too expensive and takes a lot of space for doing partial workload. Expensive system like this typically need all day operation to justify, which is why CHP are mostly industrial scale so far.