Our Vision
The cogeneration sector is committed to the creation of a resilient, decentralised and carbon neutral European energy system by 2050 with cogeneration as its backbone, empowering European citizens and industry to generate their own efficient, reliable and affordable clean heat and power locally.
Our Vision
Cogeneration is the cornerstone of an integrated energy system. In this system characterised by increasing shares of renewable energy sources, cogeneration reliably compensates for their intermittency, providing security of supply and supporting grid resilience.
Cogeneration is in the heart of the energy transition to achieve net zero by phasing out the use of the fossil-fuel-driven system and enabling a renewable energy system. Cogeneration with the optional use of fuels should be prioritised given the primary energy savings that can be achieved through its efficient operation. Its ability to run on low or carbon-free fuels, such as biomass, biofuels, and hydrogen, as well as in synergy with low carbon technologies such as heat pumps, makes cogeneration an indispensable element in achieving net-zero emissions.
As a highly efficient and flexible technology, cogeneration is a key enabler of the optimisation of energy supply and demand sides by supporting grids and minimising end use demand. It plays an undeniable role in the development of a decentralised and decarbonised energy system helping to deliver EU’s climate, energy and competitiveness net-zero objectives by 2050 at the lowest costs for consumers and the energy system as a whole.
Our Mission
COGEN Europe’s mission is to contribute to the decarbonisation of the economy and climate neutrality, supporting EU energy policy in developing a reliable and cost-effective energy system.
Pathways to achieving COGEN Europe’s Vision
Cogeneration is a future proof, renewables-ready efficiency solution, which will enable an increasingly electrified, renewable and resilient energy system on the path to net-zero emissions by 2050.
Achieving this vision will require more than doubling by 2050 the capacity of cogeneration in the EU energy mix as a central solution to deliver a net-zero emissions economy:
Energy & system efficiency
- Complementing cost-effective demand reduction measures, cogeneration ensures the most efficient production of heat and power from all thermal energy sources available in the energy mix.
- Cogeneration improves overall system efficiency, by running in synergy with other clean energy technologies and optimally linking electricity, heat and gas systems.
- Cogeneration supports resource efficiency, including the more productive use of energy, water and other valuable materials used in the energy sector.
Decarbonisation of electricity and heat networks
- Cogeneration enables the most efficient use of renewable and low-carbon fuels needed for the energy transition, such as biomass, low-carbon and renewable gases, including hydrogen, as well as geothermal, solar energy, waste heat and residual waste, while developing carbon capture and utilization solutions.
- Cogeneration can operate in synergy with other renewable technologies (heat pumps, PV, wind), as well as all types of energy storage.
- Cogeneration can displace less efficient power-only and heat-only generation technologies on the path to net-zero emissions by 2050, reaching up to 30-36% of thermal power and 50-100% of thermal heat production in 2050.
Supporting a resilient, flexible and renewables-driven energy system
- Cogeneration is the backbone of local and integrated energy, by efficiently and optimally linking electricity, heat and gas at the local level and providing energy when and where needed and ensuring availability of the sufficient flexibility to balance the grid.
- In an energy system characterised by high shares of RES sources, cogeneration can efficiently and reliably meet residual power demand at times of insufficient intermittent renewable power (i.e. PV and wind). At the same time, cogeneration heat production can be stored for later use or directly meet demand that cannot be electrified across district heating, industry and domestic consumers.
- As a decentralised energy generation technology, cogeneration helps to reduce costs associated with grid reinforcement, transmission and distribution.
Empowering European consumers
- Cogeneration is relevant in all sectors of the economy, reducing the energy bills of citizens and industry either on-site or when connected to district heating networks.
Fostering Net-zero Industrial Leadership in Europe
- The cogeneration sector has a strong European manufacturing base, as well as established local supply chains, creating highly skilled jobs and developing innovative integrated strategic solutions for the energy transition.
- Cogeneration is embedded in the local economy, in key European industries, district heating and citizens’ homes, delivering lower energy costs and boosting competitiveness.
(Adopted by the General Assembly of COGEN Europe in June 2023)
Cogeneration: the backbone of local and integrated energy systems
Cogeneration* enables the integration of the energy system by efficiently linking electricity, heat and gas at the local level and providing energy when and where needed.
* also known as CHP (Combined Heat and Power)
In every corner of Europe, millions of Europeans rely on cogeneration in their daily lives and jobs. The growth pathway for cogeneration shown below can help all Europeans to fully reap its benefits, for a strong and united Europe leading globally in energy and climate.
- Making the most efficient use of all low-carbon, carbon neutral and renewable fuels, including biomass and renewable gases.
- Providing efficient back-up capacity and flexible power to complement intermittent renewables (e.g. wind & solar).
Supplying industry, buildings and district heating with clean and secure heat. - Supporting the hydrogen economy, by ensuring the efficient repowering of clean hydrogen for grid balancing, as well as power and heat decarbonisation.
- Increasing use of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) to achieve zero or negative CO2 emissions.
- Ensure cost reductions in energy conversion, transmission and distribution, as well as reducing the need for the renewal,
reinforcement and expansion of electricity transmission grids.
COGEN Europe’s Policy Priorities 2024-2029 are set out in the document: The Role of Cogeneration in Europe’s Energy Transition – Enabling an Efficient Pathway to Net Zero (July 2024)