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The key to closing Spark gap


n line with what industry has experienced for many years, the gap between electricity prices and gas prices – often referred to as the spark gap - continues to widen. However, implementing a CHP system offers an antidote to this inequality. Gary Stoddart, technical sales director at Remeha CHP explains how it works. According to the the Department for Business,


Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the price of gas for non-domestic customers fell slightly between Q2 and


Q3 last year, while electricity experienced an increase. The average cost per kW/h for electricity was 10.39 pence while gas was 2.37 pence. Energy costs are often one of the main overheads for any business, large or small. And, according to the Carbon Trust, firms are wasting on average 20% of their annual spend through energy inefficient equipment. As energy prices continue to be a pain point for many UK businesses, the


Highlights include a discussion on challenges and opportunities for construction in the UK in light of Brexit


attend a daily session around ‘Modelling for Performance and not Compliance’. Other sessions and topics include


‘Improving energy efficiency in non-domestic buildings’, and ‘How technology, data and digital disruption will transform non-domestic buildings’.


Focus on District Energy


Ecobuild 2017 will also give HVAC contractors and consultants access to a special showcase on district energy, the result of a brand new partnership between Ecobuild and the UK District Energy Association (ukDEA). The ukDEA District Energy Town


Square will act as a focal point for visitors who want to learn about the advantages of local heating and cooling networks. Reflecting growing interest in the sector, each day of the show will focus on a different sector, ranging from private and public sector housing developers to universities and campus-style networks.


The Arena


The Arena will be home to the Ecobuild Conference, sponsored by Skanska, staging a range of keynote speeches


www.heatingandventilating.net


from industry thought leaders and innovators across the three days. Day one of the conference


programme will feature sessions exploring how the industry can best deliver high quality, sustainable and affordable homes while seamlessly integrating them into existing communities. It will also include a debate on the benefits of offsite construction. Key speakers on the day will include Lord Kerslake; Professor Tim Broyd, President at ICE, and Paul Westbury, group technical director at Laing O’Rourke.


Sessions on the second day will include industry leaders’ debate solutions to the housing crisis, featuring a panel including Jules Pipe, Deputy Mayor, Planning Regeneration and Skills, Greater London Authority. On the third day, highlights include a discussion on challenges and opportunities for construction in the UK in light of Brexit, particularly evaluating how this will impact construction products and construction design and methodology. Key speakers on the day include Dr Diane Montgomery, chief executive, Construction Products Association and Brian Berry, chief executive, Federation of Master Builders, amongst others.


Exhibitors


Notable exhibitors present at the show include manufacturer of water management and stormwater control systems, ACO; heat pumps manufac- turer, Hitachi; BRUGG piping systems and manufacturer and supplier of domestic and commercial extract fans, EnviroVent.


www.ecobuild.co.uk February 2017 19


case for CHP grows stronger. CHP systems burn natural gas to generate heat, while providing electricity to supplement or replace the grid supply. By generating electricity on site, energy bills can be reduced by around 20%. By using a CHP system, businesses can produce electricity at gas prices, which is cheaper than buying it directly from the grid as electricity is ap- proximately 8 pence more expensive per kW/h. Also, in comparison to pur- chasing from the grid, CHP electricity doesn’t suffer losses resulting from moving power over large distances, resulting in a more efficient process. At the same time, where heat from the generation process is lost at gas power stations, the heat generated by on-site CHP can be reused in the heating/hot water systems. This is especially effective when CHP is designated as the lead heat source. It can help to achieve carbon reduction either as part of a standalone heating system, or as part of a heat network. In the latter instance, up to £320m of Government funding is available as part of the ‘central heating for cities’ fund which was announced last year. Initially restricted to local authorities and public sector bodies, it will eventually be opened up to a wider set of applicants. To be eligible, projects must meet heat source requirements such as 75% of the heat is to be provided from non-renewable fuelled CHP. By generating heat and power simultaneously, CHP can reduce carbon emissions by up to 30% compared to the separate means of conventional generation via a boiler and power station. Typical payback periods are around seven to 10 years, but five is possible. However, to maximise the predicted efficiency and savings, it is essential


to first consider whether CHP is appropriate for the building in question, look at the usage requirements and size the CHP system accordingly. Oversized CHP units will not run if the heat demand is not present, and as a


result the anticipated electricity will not be generated, leaving building owners with higher operating costs and ultimately disappointed with the performance of their equipment. This is why getting the size right matters because it is key to optimising efficiency, lowering bills and reducing emissions. The golden rule for CHP is actually to keep it as small as possible. Sizing


the system so that the base load heating requirements can be met largely by the CHP unit alone will result in the continuous generation of low cost, low carbon electricity as a by-product of producing base load heating. To achieve maximum efficiency, CHP units should be considered in conjunction with condensing boilers, so that additional heat demand can be met by the latter during peak periods when required. When calculating the size of the system, the Building Regulations state that CHP must be sized to provide ‘not less than 45 per cent of the annual total heating demand’, which includes space heating and domestic hot water. A cascade arrangement can be a way to meet fluctuating demands, as this can respond quickly to changes in usage patterns. The case for CHP is clear, particularly for energy-intensive buildings such as hospitals. And if the spark gap continues to widen as it has in recent years, this case will only grow stronger.


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