Cogeneration: small scale, big gains

Journal Article · Sun Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1984 · Spec. Eng.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6253958

Green, L

Despite its technological history throughout this century in the chemical, petroleum refining, food, metals and mining, and other industries, cogeneration has only recently become economically attractive to a number of users. Rapid energy cost increases during the '70s, coupled with encouraging legislation and court rulings, have spurred development of new, more efficient systems in a wide range of output ratings. Thus, cogeneration has become a feasible alternative for both new and retrofit projects. Until last year, though, only largescale, custom-engineered cogeneration equipment was available on a widespread basis. For smaller users, the initial cost and sheer physical size of such equipment makes them uneconomical and impractical for normal operation. During the past year, however, more manufacturers began offering smallscale pre-packaged cogeneration systems in the 60- to 150-kw range, as well as new financing plans for those systems. A major incentive for the use of cogeneration among smaller users is that they must pay more for utility-supplied electricity, receiving none of the discounts given larger users. As a result, small-scale cogeneration equipment is becoming more familiar in Commercial-IndustrialInstitutional (CII) environments and in schools. Examples are given and discussed in detail.

• OSTI ID: 6253958
• Journal Information: Spec. Eng.; (United States), Journal Name: Spec. Eng.; (United States) Vol. 52:1; ISSN SPEND
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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