The provision of heating and hot water in the family home is undergoing a revolution. The traditional central heating boiler is starting to be replaced by an appliance that makes both heat and electricity. This appliance is substantially more efficient leading to lower household energy bills and reductions in energy use and carbon emission. The revolution is centred around micro-CHP.

With a market size of 50 million potential installations, micro-CHP has the opportunity to truly bring the power to the people, engaging them much more directly in the energy system and radically reforming the use of the electricity system.

What is micro CHP?

Micro or mini CHP refers to the small-scale production of heat and power for commercial and public buildings, apartments and individual houses. These units meet the demand for both space heating and hot water whilst providing electricity to supplement or replace the grid supply.

What are the main benefits of micro CHP?

Micro CHP provides the following key benefits:

• Micro-CHP allows the supply of both heat and electricity from a single energy source.
• Carbon emissions are reduced by generating electricity at the point of use – avoiding the system losses associated with central power production.
• Economic savings are generated for the user, by reducing imported electricity and by selling surplus electricity back to the grid.
• Concretely this means lower energy bills for energy customers.
• Security of supply is greatly enhanced by reducing reliance on centralised power production
• Micro-CHP also allows gas to be used more efficiently.

Micro CHP can therefore be a key enabler for the EU to deliver on its energy objectives of competitiveness, sustainability and security of energy supply.

Micro-CHP is on the Market

Micro-CHP is better placed than ever to move beyond the innovation stage and reach the mass market. Manufacturers are ready to start mass-producing their units; major companies are backing them to reach customers; governments are stepping up to provide financial support; and initial feedback from customers is positive.

What is COGEN Europe Doing?