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Micro CHP (micro Combined
Heat & Power) is the simultaneous production of heat and
electricity in individual homes. Effectively the micro CHP unit
replaces the gas central heating boiler and provides heat and hot water as
usual, but additionally provides the majority of the home's electricity
needs. Although individual units produce, by definition, relatively
small amounts of electricity, the significance of micro CHP lies in the
potentially huge numbers of systems which may ultimately be installed in the
millions of homes in the UK and other European countries where natural gas is
currently the dominant heating fuel. It is anticipated that, ultimately, micro CHP may provide 20%
or so of the UK's electricity generating capacity, more than is currently
obtained from nuclear power.
This site is provided as an
information source for the general public and students interested in micro CHP. Click on the links above (or below) to access
papers, product information and news about forthcoming and past micro CHP
events as well as links to related sources of information. |
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For a simple introduction to what micro CHP is and how it works, click
on the title above. In 2004, the first
true micro CHP units became available in the UK; products are now
available in Germany, UK, Netherlands, Japan and USA. |
Micro and mini CHP products which are available now
and under development.
Information on
so-called "enabling technologies" which enhance the performance and value
of the micro CHP products themselves is also included. |
As
interest in micro CHP grows, numerous conferences and similar events are
continuously taking place.
The list
is not exhaustive; please send details of any events you think should
be included. |
This section includes links to international energy related sites, with
particular focus on Distributed Generation and micro CHP. Links to
manufacturers and developers of micro CHP can now be found within the
relevant product sections. |
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Micro CHP offers
significant economic, social & environmental benefits. However,
before investing in micro CHP, you may want to undertake a simple economic payback
calculation. Just download the excel spreadsheet and insert the
relevant data for your home. |
A number of the papers on this site have been
published as parts of books on the subject of micro CHP.
The books included on this page include papers
by other authors and may be ordered from the publishers. |
An archive of papers relating to micro CHP.
Although papers will be added on an ongoing basis, please note that individual
papers will not be changed, so check the publication date to see how
relevant they are...and to see how wrong my predictions were!
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You may also be
interested in other types of microgeneration. This links to a
partner site containing basic information on other microgeneration technologies as well as links to
additional information sources. |