Cogeneration and Trigeneration Technology
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The ultimate guide to cogeneration and trigeneration technology The resource for companies seeking further information on cogeneration and trigeneration technology. [email protected] www.gastoday.com.au Contents Exhaust gas Peak boiler Fuel gas Heat exchanger Heat Buffer consumer Electrical energy 3 10 14 Cogeneration and trigeneration: an explanation 3 The benefits of cogeneration and trigeneration 5 How to choose the right cogeneration and trigeneration technology 8 Cogeneration and trigeneration - which engine to choose? 9 Types of engines available 10 Engines at a glance 11 Cogeneration and trigeneration in action 12 Checklist when purchasing an engine 16 Frequently Asked Questions 17 Featured supplier 18 Directory 19 About the publishers 20 This guide is designed for use by companies operating in Australia’s natural gas industry who are interested in investigating the benefits of cogeneration and trigeneration technology. This technology is growing in popularity due to its economic and production efficiency, and its positive impact on carbon emissions. This free resource includes information on the technology, the many benefits associated with its use, different engine types available, key considerations when deciding which engine to buy, important questions to ask when considering the best application, and a directory of suppliers. The ultimate guide to cogeneration and trigeneration technology 2 Cogeneration and trigeneration: an explanation ogeneration, or combined heat and power (CHP), simultaneously produces useful heat and electricity from a single fuel source. The system consists of a gas engine, Can electricity generator and a heat exchanger. Trigeneration, or combined cooling, heat and power (CCHP), is the production of three useful energies – heat, power and chilled water for air conditioning or refrigeration. An absorption chiller is linked to the CHP to use the waste heat for cooling. This onsite process avoids generation of high levels of greenhouse gas emissions that usually result from centralised coal-fired power generation and transmission inefficiencies. Exhaust gas Peak boiler Fuel gas Heat exchanger Heat Buffer consumer Electrical energy A cogeneration system (courtesy of Clarke Energy). Exhaust gas Peak boiler Fuel gas Cooling tower Absorption chiller Refrigeration Heat exchanger consumer Buffer Heat consumer Electrical energy SUPPORTER A trigeneration system (Courtesy of Clarke Energy). The ultimate guide to cogeneration and trigeneration technology 3 [continued] The gas engine’s hot exhaust gas can also be recycled using an absorption chiller. Up to 80 per cent of the thermal production of the cogeneration plant can then be converted to chilled water, resulting in constant utilisation and the increased efficiency of the cogeneration plant. The majority of cogeneration and trigeneration facilities installed in Australia use natural gas, as it is a cleaner and more efficient use of energy sources. It is readily available, cheaper to source, and is employed for small and large scale, or industrial applications. According to the Clean Energy Council’s (CEC) website, as well as electricity, cogeneration and trigeneration plants can produce: • Hot water • Space heating • Space cooling (with the use of an absorption chiller) • Dry air (with the use of a desiccant) • Hot air and steam for industrial head processes. The CEC’s website also advises that cogeneration and trigeneration are best suited to sites with a large heating and/or cooling load. The CEC lists potential users of cogeneration and trigeneration: • Hospitals • Educational facilities, universities and TAFE • Hotels, cinemas and hospitality venues • Industrial and manufacturing facilities, including breweries and dairies • Government offices of local, state and federal agencies • Residential areas • Airports and public utilities • Data centres. SUPPORTER The ultimate guide to cogeneration and trigeneration technology 4 The benefits of cogeneration and trigeneration ith the increase in use of natural gas in Australia’s short- and medium-term power generation future, cogeneration and trigeneration technologies will play Wa vital role in energy efficiency and emission reductions. These technologies are also important because of their versatility – they can increase the efficiencies of renewable as well as fossil fuel energy sources, and are suited for small, medium and large-scale applications. Distribution efficiency According to the CEC’s website, demand for electricity in Australia is predicted to grow by nearly 50 per cent between now and 2030. As a result, the CEC projects that Australia needs to spend at least $100 billion during the next decade to expand its power infrastructure. To meet these targets, the CEC predicts that in New South Wales and QLD network charges for consumers will increase by up to 66 per cent by 2015, with similar increases likely in other states and territories. Exhaust gas Bypass Fuel gas Hot water Heat User Electricity Distributed energy (courtesy of Clarke Energy). Cogeneration and trigeneration provide distributed power generation at or near the point of consumption, so generation of electricity close to the end user helps to reduce losses associated with transmission. Heat from the combustion process can be captured as hot water and used for heating close to the source of generation. This therefore stabilises the grid by reducing the need for expensive extensions to the grid, and also minimises the impact of rising electricity prices and reduces transmission losses. Energy efficiency Maximising the output of an energy source is essential to improving energy efficiencies, and this is the key principal of cogeneration and trigeneration technologies. The CEC states that cogeneration and trigeneration’s simultaneous production of electrical power SUPPORTER and thermal energy achieves greater energy efficiency (70–90 per cent) than conventional systems producing power and heat separately (35 per cent). The CEC also states that coal-fired power plants are typically only 30 per cent efficient in converting the energy of the fuel into electricity, with the majority of the energy lost as waste heat. However, if the waste heat is used – either for direct use or for energy generation – energy efficiencies of 70 per cent and above are achieved. The success The ultimate guide to cogeneration and trigeneration technology 5 [continued] of cogeneration and trigeneration technology is due to this lowering of energy waste through transmission, as well as the benefit of it being a decentralised energy, (electricity produced onsite or nearby). Costs associated with providing power and heat to a facility is also therefore reduced. Natural gas supply 100% Mechanical energy 42% Thermal energy 58% HE 1 HE 2 HE 3 HE 4 Diagram key: HE 1 – Mixture intercooler HE 2 – Oil exchange heater HE 3 – Engine jacket water heat exchanger HE 4 – Exhaust gas heat exchanger Usable electrical energy Loss Usable thermal energy 40% 10% 50% Electrical efficiency and energy loss in a CHP system (courtesy of Clarke Energy). Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions Not only is the technology an efficient use of energy and lowers electricity costs, it also reduces carbon emissions, which is of significant benefit to companies following the introduction of the carbon pricing scheme, as well as an increased national focus on the environment and Australia’s carbon footprint. The CEC states that cogeneration and trigeneration power plants have a third of the emissions associated with producing electricity from coal power plants, as well as increased energy efficiency. There are also voluntary energy efficiency ratings systems in place in Australia to encourage emission savings in properties, such as the National Australian Built Environmental Rating System (NABERS) and the Green Building Council of Australia’s Green Star system. SUPPORTER Both systems encourage optimal environmental outcomes, however, the difference between the two is that the NABERS system rates the operational performance of existing buildings, whereas the Green Star system evaluates the environmental design, construction and performance of buildings at the design, construction or operational phase. The ultimate guide to cogeneration and trigeneration technology 6 [continued] The Green Star system rewards outcomes, rather than individual technologies – for example, the ‘Greenhouse gas emissions’ credit rewards buildings for operating with reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and many projects have employed cogneration and tri-generation technology to contribute toward this end goal. Another credit is the ‘Peak load reduction’ credit which rewards buildings that reduce peak electrical demand. This can be done through on-site generation which also includes cogeneration and trigeneration systems. Both systems encourage optimal environmental outcomes, however the difference betweent the two is that the NABERS system rates the operational performance of existing buildings, whereas the Green Star program rates the design and construction of planned buildings and can award certifications for the submission process. An economical and environmental alternative to conventional refrigeration Trigeneration, or CHPC, has an absorption chiller that is linked to the CHP to generate chilled water for air conditioning or refrigeration. This means that no harmful chemical pollutants exist, since water is used as the refrigerant, and during the peak summer period there is lower electrical usage. Absorption chillers