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 plants) and heat (e.g., boiler with fuel oil or natural gas), this type of plant contributes to a reduction of the user’s energy costs. At the same time, CHPs reduce emissions and preserve our energy resources.

One cornerstone for the integrated energy and climate program of the German Government is to double the electricity share from cogeneration to 25% by 2020. In order to achieve this, it was resolved, e.g., to fund the construction of new plants and the modernization of existing cogeneration plants – if commissioned by 2013.

Combined heat and power plants are part of the core competences of AGO AG. With an amount of more than 160 installed CHPs with different performance classes, we gained considerable knowledge over the past years. We are very well acquainted with all common fuels – natural gas, heating oil, sewage gas, biogas and wood chips.

Advantages of Combined Heat and Power Plants

• Reduction of energy costs
• Saving primary energy by 36%
• Reduction of NO_x by 29% and CO₂ by 58%
• Reliable supply security – in case the public power network breaks down, electricity can still be generated (isolated operation)
• Possibility of coupling with refrigeration systems (trigeneration)
• CHP bonus paid for electricity fed into the public power grid as well as for self-used electricity
• Possibility to be exempted from natural gas and petroleum tax
• No electricity tax for electricity from cogeneration plants accrues
• Long operating life due to sophisticated technology

Range of Applications

• Public utility companies and energy suppliers for feed-in of heat into local and district heat networks as well as electricity into the public power network
• Production facilities in industrial areas with simultaneous need for heat and power
• Hospitals to cover their base load
• Sewage plants for the energetic recovery of sewage gas
• Biogas plants

Range of Services

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