Post Installation Analysis of Combined Heat and Power Projects

Abstract

Like many energy projects, the potential energy savings from the
installation of a combined heat and power (CHP) system is based on the
system’s specifications and the building’s previous energy consumption
patterns. Although this is a generally accepted way to analyze the feasi-
bility of the system, actual energy savings will often depend on the way
the system is ultimately engineered, installed and operated. This article
will show the importance for budgeting nominal resources to conduct
independent post installation commissioning, metering and data logging
(especially on smaller projects). It will show how using independent
metering and monitoring can help optimize CHP operations, identify
operational problems and limit unwanted thermal dumping.
This article will show how actual data and utility metering data
collected after the installation of a 150-kW CHP in a New York City
(NYC) multi-family building were used to optimize system performance
of radiator fans, circulating pumps and existing domestic hot water
(DHW) equipment. The article will also show how logger data were
used to identify problems with system components that may limit the
potential savings to the client. Finally, it will show how post installation
monitoring helped establish the optimal seasonal operating hours for
the system that maximized thermal energy consumption and minimized
unwanted heat dumping.