Natural Gas Co-generation and Tri-generation

Natural Gas Co-generation is the combined production of electrical and thermal energy using an engine running on methane or LNG and connected to a power generator.
Tri-generation systems also feature an absorption chiller unit to produce cooling power, wholly or partially exploiting the thermal energy produced by the engine.
This technology has several applications in industrial processes and for building climate control.

CPL CONCORDIA designs and builds complete systems of any size through its pre- and after-sales service available throughout Italy.

Co-generation

Co-generation is the combined production of electrical and thermal energy.

Every day we use high-quality fuel (methane gas or diesel) to produce thermal energy and electricity with boilers, thermoelectric plants, taking it from the national grid. This involves a greater consumption of resources linked to the dual generation of energy.

Co-generation is the combined production of electrical and thermal energy. How is it possible?
An engine is connected to an electric generator that, by exploiting the mechanical energy developed by the engine, produces electricity.
As the engine runs, it generates heat as its cylinders and lubricant oil become hot and exhaust gases are produced. This heat, which is normally dispersed into the environment, is completely recovered. If we compare the generation efficiency, compared to the separate production of electricity in the thermoelectric plants and the heat in the boiler, we discover that co-generation has a fuel consumption that is 30-40% lower. This means lower costs and fewer emissions into the atmosphere.

Co-generation is particularly appropriate for all the areas where the contemporary thermal and electrical demand is generally constant during the year.

Tri-generation

Tri-generation is the concurrent production of electrical, thermal and cooling energy.

The thermal energy recovered by the co-generator is converted into cooling energy by incorporating an absorption chiller unit in the system. Absorption chiller units are designed to use hot or overheated water as their primary energy source. These units do not produce any climate-altering gas emissions and have zero environmental impact.

When combined with a co-generator, they allow for heat that would otherwise be discharged into the environment to be reused. This increases operating hours and economic benefits, and shortens investment payoff time. An absorption chiller unit can output chilled water at 7 °C, which meets the requirements of most cooling systems.
The chilled water can be used for air conditioning during the summer in commercial, residential and industrial systems.

Advantages

Co-generation and tri-generation systems offer several advantages:

Energy saving thanks to lower fuel consumption
Cost saving– the installation allows for 20 – 30% lower costs than conventional methods
Environmental savings thanks to lower CO2 emissions
Improved reliability and independence from conventional power supply methods
The grid connection point allows for power to be drawn from and injected into (i.e. sold to) the grid, eliminating energy losses and shortening investment payoff time
White Certificates – co-generation and tri-generation plants can benefit from Energy Efficiency Credits, more commonly known as White Certificates. These certificates are issued under an incentive scheme that promotes several types of energy efficiency measures

Applications

Heat generation for industrial processes:

Electro-plating and tannery industry
Food and pharmaceutical industry
Drying and pasteurisation processes
Chemical and petrochemical industries

Climate control in residential or commercial buildings:

Hospitals and retirement homes
Fitness centres and swimming pools
Shopping centres
Apartment buildings, offices and warehouses
District heating

The offer

“Co-generation and tri-generation – the right choice to achieve high energy performance”

CPL CONCORDIA has 35 years’ experience in the co-generation sector, with over 500 plants built totalling 10 million guaranteed operating hours.

Co-generation from natural gas is especially suited to applications that require at least 3,500 heating hours per year, with concurrent high heat requirements and power loads. Typical usage and target customers are reported below.

The company assists and supports customers who choose co-generation and tri-generation technology through the following steps:

Energy audit

Acquisition of preliminary data
Identification of the type of plant needed
Discussion of economic goals with Customer (Business Plan)

Feasibility study

Acquisition of detailed information
Technical and economic feasibility study
Analysis of technology solutions and plant sizing
Presentation of results to Customer
Agreement between CPL CONCORDIA and Customer

Implementation

Assistance with paperwork during authorisation process
Assistance with financing and possible public grants
Construction of plant tailored to Customer’s needs
Plant start-up

Management

Full-service maintenance and plant scheduled maintenance
Customised maintenance agreements

CPL CONCORDIA makes available the skills required to build a high-efficiency co-generation plant and identify a financing solution to meet Customer’s needs.

Possible funding solutions to install a co-generation system include: