IEA to address COGEN Europe Annual Conference
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In addition to enhanced energy efficiency benefits, flexibility has been identified as the 'unveiled' added value of cogeneration. In the framework of the recent relaunch of the IEA CHP/DHC Collaborative, the IEA is emphasising the analysis of cogeneration technologies’ contribution to achieving sustainable energy systems. Smart solutions will be needed to manage heat and electricity systems to reduce climate impacts while enhancing system resilience, security and affordability; cogeneration technologies can be part of the overall solution by bridging both systems.
The IEA last year built a case for energy efficiency to be considered as the world’s “first fuel” (see IEA’s Energy Efficiency Market Report; October 2013). The IEA’s Energy Technology Perspectives 2014 publication, due to be published on 12 May 2014, explores various energy technology options for increased efficiency and flexibility in the electricity system, and the annexed report Linking Heat and Electricity Systems: Cogeneration and District Heating and Cooling Solutions for a Clean Energy Future, provides a first approach to cogeneration and thermal distribution networks as efficiency opportunities and flexibility enablers.
"By linking electricity and heat systems, cogeneration can provide flexible and efficient generation solutions. The ability of a technology to be integrated with others to allow benefitting from a wider range of locally available energy sources and to adapt to varying demand requirements is being increasingly valued," said Jean-François Gagné, Head of the Energy Technology Policy Division in the Directorate of Sustainable Energy Policy and Technology, International Energy Agency.
Mr Gagné will speak at the COGEN Europe Annual Conference, which is taking place on 3-4 April at the Renaissance Hotel in the heart of the Brussels EU quarter. The Conference is open for registration. To see the full agenda and to register, please click here.
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For more information please contact:
Andrew Williams
Communications Manager
Tel: +32 (0)2 775 9071
Email: andrew.williams@cogeneurope.eu
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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 networks 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