Combined heat and power plants

Combined heat and power plants (CHPs) simultaneously generate electricity and heat on the basis of cogeneration. Due to a higher efficiency compared to the separate generation of electricity (e.g. coal-fired power plant) and heat (e.g. boiler with fuel oil or natural gas) these types of plants contribute to a reduction of the user’s energy costs. At the same time, cogeneration plants reduce climate-relevant emissions and preserve our energy resources.

A milestone for an integrated energy and climate program by the German government is to double the electricity share from cogeneration by 2020 to 25%. In order to achieve this objective, it was e.g. resolved to fund the erection of new plants and the modernization of existing cogeneration plants if commissioned by 2013.

To AGO AG, cogeneration plants are part of their core competences. With more than 160 cogeneration plants of different performance classes installed, we gained considerable experience over the past years. We are perfectly familiar with all common fuels – natural gas, fuel oil, sewage gas, biogas and wood chips.

Advantages of cogeneration plants

• Reduction of energy costs
• Preservation of primary energy by 36%
• Reduction of NOX by 29% and CO₂ by 58%
• Reliable energy supply – if the public power network breaks down, it is still possible to generate electricity (isolated operation)
• Possibility to combine with refrigeration plants (trigeneration)
• Cogeneration bonus (in German: KWK Bonus) granted for electricity fed into the public grid and self-used electricity
• Possibility to be exempted from natural gas tax and petroleum tax
• There is no electricity tax for electricity from cogeneration plants
• Due to sophisticated technology long maturities are possible

Areas of application

• Public utility companies and energy suppliers for feeding heat into local and district heat networks and electricity into the public grid
• Production facilities in industrial areas with a simultaneous need for heat and power
• Hospitals for covering their base load
• Sewage plants for the energetic recovery of sewage gas
• Biogas plants

Power spectrum

• Combustion engines with electric powers of 200 – 4,000 kW
• Utilization of heat in low temperature systems and hot water systems, steam with up to 10 bar
• Modules with low voltage and medium voltage generators
• AGO AG can carry out the design, construction and operation

Purchase or Contracting

• In case of purchase, AGO is responsible for design, installation and commissioning of the plant.
• However, it is also possible to use the innovative technology by means of a Contracting model.
• In such case, AGO AG erects and operates the cogeneration plant on its own and at its own expense

Customers´ benefit with Contracting

• The customers can focus on their core competence and don’t need personnel for the cogeneration plant
• Supply of heat, cold and electricity at fix terms
• No maintenance and repair costs to be borne by the customer
• No investment for the customer
• No risk in case of damage to the plant.