What is cogeneration?
Q: What is cogeneration?
A: Cogeneration is the production of both electricity and useful heat at the same time, using a heat engine or power station.
Q: How do conventional power plants dispose of the heat created as a byproduct of electricity generation?
A: Conventional power plants emit the heat created as a byproduct of electricity generation into the environment through cooling towers, flue gas or other means.
Q: What is the difference between conventional power plants and cogeneration plants in terms of heat production?
A: In conventional power plants, the heat produced as a byproduct of electricity generation is emitted into the environment, while in cogeneration plants, the byproduct heat is captured for domestic or industrial heating purposes, or used in absorption chillers for cooling.
Q: What is the advantage of using cogeneration over separate production of electricity?
A: Cogeneration is a more thermodynamically efficient use of fuel because the energy lost as waste heat in separate production of electricity performs useful work in cogeneration.
Q: What is a polygeneration plant?
A: A plant that produces electricity, heat, and cold is sometimes called a polygeneration plant.
Q: What is the temperature range for byproduct heat that can be used in absorption chillers for cooling?
A: Byproduct heat at moderate temperatures (100 to 180°C) can also be used in absorption chillers for cooling.
Q: Where is the distribution of byproduct heat for domestic or industrial heating purposes done in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe?
A: The distribution of byproduct heat for domestic or industrial heating purposes is especially done through pipes to heat local housing in Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.
