Cogeneration in Europe (Spotlight on Belgium)

Abstract

As every country in Europe has a different approach towards co-
generation, a global overview is hard to give. The structure of the energy
sector and a decent government policy used to be the key factors in the
success of cogeneration leading to a very different status of cogeneration
in each country. However, nowadays the ongoing liberalization of the
gas and electricity sector has an overwhelming impact on cogeneration.
Where it leads a level playing field and strong impulse for cogeneration
in one country, it is also the reason why cogeneration has to struggle to
survive in many other countries.
First an overview of cogeneration in Europe is presented
with in section two a focus on Belgium. Section three tries to
give the most important elements for the future. Apart from the
ongoing restructuring of the energy sector, new technologies as
mini (and micro) cogeneration deserve special attention. Finally
section four summarizes the main conclusions