Brussels, 6 June 2018

The European Union needs combined heat and power systems to resolve its energy challenges, COGEN Europe said in Brussels today at its Annual Conference ‘The Power of Heat’ as it unveiled its new vision of cogeneration’s role in the future energy system.

“The cogeneration sector is committed to creating a resilient, decentralised, carbon neutral European energy system by 2050 with cogeneration as its backbone” said COGEN Europe Managing Director Hans Korteweg, who added: “Being consumer-led, cogeneration empowers European citizens and industry to generate their own efficient, reliable and affordable clean heat and power locally. Our new vision shows how this will drive a cost-effective transition towards a sustainable future in Europe.”

Cogeneration is uniquely positioned to bring together heat, electricity and gas networks in a single energy system. This will enable the integration of substantial amounts of renewable energy, supplying efficient energy where and when needed.

By recovering heat that would normally be wasted in power-only generation processes, cogeneration makes Europe’s energy system more efficient, saves energy, cuts CO2 emissions and lowers energy costs. Cogeneration provides flexibility across heat, electricity and gas networks and sectors by relying on short, medium and long-term storage to balance energy supply and demand. As such, it will play a key role in integrating renewable energy, such as variable wind and solar power, but also dispatchable sources like biomass, biogas and hydrogen, maximising their efficient use and value in the economy. Another key benefit is that, being located close to the point of consumption, cogeneration avoids costly and lengthy grid reinforcements.

Hans Korteweg also stated: “Europe's energy and climate commitments require solutions that are low-carbon, smart, competitive and local. Cogeneration responds to the challenges of the future EU’s energy system. Its benefits make it play a strong role today, and that will grow in the future.”

Cogeneration currently provides 11% of Europe’s electricity and 15% of its heat, contributing up to 21% of the EU’s CO2 reduction target and 14% of the EU’s energy efficiency target. In its new vision, the cogeneration sector sees a growing pathway for cogeneration in Europe. By 2030, cogeneration could provide 20% of electricity and 25% of heat in Europe, contributing up to 23% of the EU’s CO2 reduction target and 18% of the EU’s energy efficiency target. By 2050, the sector would like to double the capacity of cogeneration in the EU energy mix by ensuring that cogeneration is prioritised for all thermally generated electricity and heat, in so doing avoiding wasting valuable energy.

The new vision was endorsed by COGEN Europe’s 56 members which comprises 13 national associations and 43 organisations spanning the entire energy value chain from technology manufacturers and energy service companies to industrial users and utilities. COGEN Europe believes that a reliable, affordable and climate-friendly energy system can be built with their collaborative efforts.

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ABOUT COGEN Europe

COGEN Europe, the European Association for the Promotion of Cogeneration, is the cross-sectoral voice of the cogeneration industry. Its mission is to work with EU institutions and stakeholders to shape better policies and eliminate administrative, regulatory and market barriers to the wider use of cogeneration in Europe. It aims to build a robust evidence-base to show the benefits of cogeneration, using the expertise of its membership, and establishing strong coalitions and partnerships.

For further information please contact:

Thomas Vanhauwaert
Communications Officer
thomas.vanhauwaert@cogeneurope.eu
www.cogeneurope.eu