As the June Energy Efficiency Directive transposition deadline approaches, COGEN Europe reminds Member States that micro-CHP[1] is part of the toolbox of measures established by this directive.

In a Position Paper published today, COGEN Europe highlights the opportunities for Member States to more effectively harness the benefits of micro-CHP technologies.

These advantages include reducing primary energy use in both existing and new buildings, helping energy suppliers to meet their requirements under the Energy Efficiency Obligation Schemes, and empowering consumers to efficiently produce their own energy.

The Energy Efficiency Directive creates opportunities for Member States to revise and improve national legislation impacting the micro-CHP market, and requires them to make a comprehensive assessment of micro-CHP’s potential to further close the gap towards achieving Europe’s 20% energy savings target for 2020.

Micro-CHP products, mostly based on Stirling and Internal Combustion Engines, are now present on the European market and are moving towards mass scaling. Newer technologies like fuel cell micro-CHPs are just being launched in European markets.

Please click here to read the Position Paper.

[1] Micro-CHP, also known as micro combined heat and power or micro-cogeneration, is defined in the EED as a cogeneration unit simultaneously producing process heat and electricity, with a maximum capacity below 50 kWe.

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About cogeneration: 

Cogeneration (also known as CHP or Combined Heat and Power) involves the simultaneous production of heat and electricity from a single plant which results in massive savings to the economy of primary energy and consequential reductions of GHG emissions.

Today, a significant 11.2% of Europe’s electricity is generated using a vast array of proven and cost effective techniques (cumulative capacity > 100 GWe). About half of the heat produced is used in district heating network while the remaining half serves industrial needs.

Cogeneration units can be found in various sectors and sizes: in industries, households and tertiary buildings and in capacities ranging from a kilowatt to hundreds of MegaWatts of electricity output. CHP plants can draw upon a wide range of energy sources, from traditional fossil fuels to renewable energies (combustion-based units with biomass, biogases or bioliquids, or steam-based plant connected to geothermal or concentrated solar panel installations) that make them ready for the future energy system.

Realising the identified economic potential for cogeneration in Europe – estimated at 110-120 GWe additional – will be instrumental to reaching the EU’s strategic climate and energy goals, while underpinning job creation and being an engine to industrial competitiveness.

About COGEN Europe:

COGEN Europe is Europe’s umbrella organisation representing the interests of the cogeneration industry, users of the technology and promoting its benefits in the EU and the wider Europe. The association is backed by the key players in the industry including gas and electricity companies, ESCOs, equipment suppliers, consultancies, national promotion organisations, financial and other service companies. More information on www.cogeneurope.eu