Modern Building Services

16 MODERN BUILDING SERVICES SEPTEMBER 2021 FEATURE HEATING HEATING C ombined heat and power (CHP) is an energy- efficient system that creates electricity from traditional fuels and captures the heat that is generated to reuse it for space heating, domestic hot water, or industrial processes. The latest government statistics show that continued fuel costs and increasing interest in climate change are both contributing to the continuedmassive growth in the CHP sector. With the forthcoming COP26 climate change conference is highlighting sustainability and reducing carbon emissions is an increasingly high-profile challenge. There are a massive number of companies providing CHP systems which are highly efficient, making use of the heat which would otherwise be wasted and allowing the need for heat to be met that would otherwise require further fuel to be burnt. For many commercial projects, CHP offers the best and most significant, single opportunity to reduce energy costs and to enhance environmental performance. Though not seen as truly sustainable by some, because they are mainly fuelled by natural gas, unless they can be used with renewable fuels such as biogas. CHP can still provide a welcome reduction in carbon emissions. CHP creates electricity and valuable heat together in one single process, allowing organisations to reduce energy costs, whilst also encouraging amore sustainable alternative to traditional boilers. These CHP systems can be increased in scale to suit large commercial requirements as well as well as “micro” units for domestic use, which are becoming increasingly popular. Avoid Climate Change Levy Another aspect whichmakes CHP very attractive is that it can help new build projects avoid the Climate Change Levy, which affects industrial, commercial, agricultural and public service sectors and applies to electricity, gas and solid fuel consumption. The inclusion of CHP sites also means that site can be eligible for a range of financial support measures including: – Enhanced Capital Allowances and Business Rates exemptions as well as the Climate Change Levy. Mike Byrne , Director at Flue Liner Solutions gives an overview of CHP. Combined Heat & Power – where are we now with it?