The European Commission’s DG Enterprise launched its “new industrial revolution”[1]   in October 2012 to steer Europe’s economy back to a growth path. Brussels delegates will learn from Mr. Shonodeep Modak, CMO at GE Gas Engines, how “innovative distributed cogeneration technology can help reduce the energy costs for EU-based commercial and industrial businesses” in his key note address to COGEN Europe’s Annual Conference on 18th and 19th of April.

The Commission’s recent commitment to position Europe on a re-industrialisation path (based on investments and innovation, better market conditions, access to finance and capital, and human capital and skills) aims to increase industry's share of EU GDP from 16% today to 20% in 2020. Cogeneration is part of the story of Europe’s re-industrialisation strategy as it offers manufacturers significant energy cost savings, improved reliability of both power and heat supply and more sustainable operations. Cogeneration is best available technology in the food, paper, refining and chemicals sector.

COGEN Europe’s Annual Conference this year focuses on industry, innovation and the European economy. CHP is increasingly recognised around the world as an enabler of industrial productivity. Mr. Shonodeep Modak is confident about the benefits CHP can bring to industry in Europe: “With system efficiencies of up to 90%, innovative distributed CHP technology can help reduce the energy costs for EU-based commercial and industrial businesses, resulting in improved profitability and competitiveness. We have personally witnessed the benefit to our customer in Europe and are excited to be able to contribute to the recovery.”

Many cogeneration equipment manufacturers have a strong base in Europe and their businesses are part of the industrial regeneration. Major players Siemens and Caterpillar will join GE and present their views on how governments can improve their support for industrial CHP projects at COGEN Europe Annual Conference   

1) European Commission, 10 October 2012. Mission Growth: Europe at the Lead of the New Industrial Revolution

For more information please contact:
       
Dr Fiona Riddoch, Managing Director
Tel: +32 2 772 8290
Fax: + 32 2 772 5044
Email: fiona.riddoch@cogeneurope.eu
      Stefan Craenen, Communications Manager
Tel: +32 2 772 8290
Fax: + 32 2 772 5044
Email: stefan.craenen@cogeneurope.eu
 
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 11.7 % 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 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 to the future energy system.
Realising the identified economic potential for cogeneration in Europe –estimated at 110-120 GWe additional- will be instrumental to reaching our strategic climate and energy goals, while underpinning job creation and being an engine to industrial competitiveness.
 
About COGEN Europe:
COGEN Europe is the European association for the promotion of cogeneration. We represent 70 organisations which are National COGEN Associations, manufacturers, users, utilities and service companies. Currently around 100,000 Europeans are employed in the cogeneration sector. More info on www.cogeneurope.eu