Distributed Cogeneration vs. Centralized Generation: A Technical Comparison

Authors

  • Neil D. Strachan Department of Engineering and Public Policy Carnegie Mellon University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.1723

Abstract

Three distributed cogeneration (DG) and three centralized electricity technologies were compared for fuel use, private costs and externality costs from CO2, SO2 and NOX emissions. This generalized feasibility comparison investigated the benefits of Cogen/DG over a range of heat to power ratios (HPR). IC engines are found to be both economical and environmentally friendly. Micro-turbines are even better. Therefore, Cogen/DG provides economic, fuel use, and emissions savings in applications with well matched and consistent demands for electricity and heat

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Neil D. Strachan, Department of Engineering and Public Policy Carnegie Mellon University

Neil D. Strachan, Ph.D., is currently a Research Fellow in the
Carnegie Mellon Electricity Industry Center (CEIC). His research interests encompass a wide range of policy questions relating tmarkets, particularly in terms of infrastructure evolution and environmental impacts. His specialty is the integration of the economic, environmental, policy and technical aspects of distributed generation (DG).
Neil obtained his Ph.D. from the interdisciplinary department of
Engineering and Public Policy (EPP) at Carnegie Mellon University in
December 2000. The Ph.D. thesis investigated the adoption and supply
of distributed generation as a new structural paradigm for energy supply. From 1997 through 2000, Neil was a graduate researcher in the NSF
Center for the Human Dimensions of Global Change. This major research center considers social and economic mechanisms are as important as technological developments in any solution to global climate
change.
Prior to coming to the US, Neil was a technical and policy specialist in the UK government’s energy efficiency and policy analysis division. He helped develop UK government strategy for energy efficiency
and technology diffusion as energy markets were liberalized. Neil also
holds an MS in science and technology policy from Sussex University
(UK), and a BS (1st class) in physics from Leicester University (UK).
Carnegie Mellon University
Department of Engineering and Public Policy
5000 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA. 15213
Tel: (412) 268-3001; Fax: (412) 268-3757
e-mail: nds2@andrew.cmu.edu

References

Cler, G. and M. Shepard (1996). Distributed Generation: Good Things are Coming in

Small Packages. Boulder, Colorado, E-Source.

Cogen Europe (1999). European Cogeneration Review 1999. Brussels, COGEN Europe.

EEBPP (1994). Environmental Aspects of Large Scale Combined Heat and Power.

London, UK. Energy Efficiency Best Practice Program, Department of the

Environment, Transport and the Regions EnergieNed (1999). Energy in the Netherlands. Arnhem, The Netherlands.

EIA (1999). Annual Energy Review 1998. Washington DC, Energy Information

Agency, US Department of Energy.

EIA (2000). Annual Energy Outlook 2000. Washington DC, Energy Information

Agency, US Department of Energy.

EPA (1998). National Air Quality and Emissions Trends Report. Washington DC, US

Environmental Protection Agency.

European Commission (1997). A Community Strategy to Promote Combined Heat

and Power (CHP) and to Dismantle Barriers to its Development. Brussels, European Commission.

Flagan, R. and J. Seinfeld (1988). Fundamentals of Air Pollution Engineering. New

Jersey, Prentice Hall.

Horlock, J. (1987). Cogeneration: Combined Heat and Power: Thermodynamics and

Economics. Oxford, Pergamon Books.

IEA (1995). Natural Gas Security Study. Paris, International Energy Agency,

OECD/IEA.

IDEA (1983). District Heating Handbook. Washington, DC. International District

Heating Association

Matthews, S. and L. Lave (2000). “Applications of Environmental Valuation for

Determining Externality Costs.” Environmental Science and Technology 34: 1390-

NREL (2000). Making Connections: Case Studies of Interconnections and their Impact

on Distributed Power Projects. Washington, DC, National Energy Renewable

Laboratory.

Oak Ridge National Laboratories (1995). The Effects of Considering Externalities on

Electric Utilities Mix of Resources. Oak Ridge, TN.

Pak, P. and Y. Suzuki (1990). “Thermodynamical, Economical and Environmental

Evaluation of High Efficiency Gas Turbine Cogeneration Systems.” International Journal of Energy Research 14(8): 821-832.

Patterson, W. (2000). Transforming Electricity. London, Earthscan.

Porter, R. and K. Mastanaiah (1982). “Thermal Economic Analysis of Heat

Matched Industrial Cogeneration Systems.” Energy 7(2): 171-187.

STAPPA and ALAPCO (1994). Controlling Nitrogen Oxides Under the Clean Air

Act:, STAPPA: State and Territorial Air Pollution Program Administrators

ALAPCO: Association of Local Air Pollution Control Officers.

Strachan, N. and H. Dowlatabadi (2001). “A Green-Field System Optimization of

Distributed Generation.” The Energy Journal Submitted.

UK DTI (1998). Digest of United Kingdom Energy Statistics. London, UK Department of Trade and Industry

Downloads

Published

2002-03-21

How to Cite

Strachan, N. D. . (2002). Distributed Cogeneration vs. Centralized Generation: A Technical Comparison. Distributed Generation &Amp; Alternative Energy Journal, 17(2), 35–57. https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.1723

Issue

2002: Vol 17 Iss 2

Section

Articles