Feature On-site energy generation


As well as being challenging to navigate and increasingly expensive, the UK’s commercial energy market demonstrates two challenging traits – inflexibility and unpredictability. For facilities managers, who need dependable suppliers and consistent overheads, finding a viable alternative is top of the agenda.


Alongside renewable technologies, battery storage and carbon- neutral processes, one such solution is the use of CHP technology to generate energy


on-site. Effectively a


but more than twice as efficient, CHP combusts natural gas to generate electricity and thermal energy (which can be used for space heating or hot water).


With gas prices lower and more stable than mains electricity supply, businesses can realise significant cost saving by self- generating power – a payback of typically less than five years. What’s more, CHP offsets carbon and can thus help to meet Part L of the Building Regulations.


While moving from a centralised to a decentralised energy model may seem daunting, success is simple if you plan ahead. For anyone looking to embrace decentralised energy, the following five points are important considerations.


1. Suitability


Using CHP as an alternative to more traditional grid connectivity can save money on your utility bills. However, maximising efficiency relies on equipment running at full capacity, 24-hours a day. As such, it’s essential to undertake a feasibility study well in advance. By doing so, you’ll be able to specify the perfect solution for your energy requirements – precisely matching engine size, dimensions, location and generation outputs to site demands. The greater your energy consumption, the more you could save!


2. Sizing When it comes to specifying your engine, there is no one size fits all solution. Instead, it’s important to take facility size and energy requirements into close consideration. While an oversized engine


gas power station,


will shut down during periods of low demand, an undersized engine will restrict generation capacity. In both situations, incorrect sizing will limit the financial benefits of choosing CHP over grid connectivity. Identifying the perfect balance is therefore a tricky, yet important task.


3. Installation


When it comes to the physical installation of your engine, precision is key. Alongside accurate planning and specification, it’s important to consider the wider design, fabrication, welding, electrical expertise, controls capability and equipment compliance expertise needed. Working in partnership with an installation expert will prevent issues in the long-term.


4. Calibration In the same way that a racing car must be professionally tuned to deliver optimum performance, precise calibration of a CHP engine is essential to ensure the best possible running efficiencies. Incorrect calibration can impact on outputs considerably. As such, getting it right from the outset is essential to ensure long-term financial savings.


5. Maintenance Working at full capability, 24 hours a day, inevitably takes its toll on the performance of any CHP engine. Poorly maintained engines can see efficiencies fall by as much as 20%. It’s important to work with a maintenance provider to support with regular checks and deliver the major intervals outlined by your manufacturer (typically 2,000, 10,000, 20,000, 40,000 and 60,000 running hours).


It’s an inconvenient but unavoidable fact – the National Grid is no longer fit for purpose. A centralised system is not the answer to the UK’s energy future. While hydrogen and renewables may be considered blue sky thinking for the future, we need to address the issue of fluctuating commercial energy costs and embrace solutions to meet today’s escalating demand for mains supply. CHP technology offers an efficient and cost-effective solution to provide controllable, self-generated energy, delivered on-demand.


fmuk 21


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44