Mini-CHP has the ‘S Factor’
22 April 2009
Baxi-SenerTec UK’s business manager David Shaw survived a grilling the S Factor judges at the recent HEVAR exhibition in London.
David was chosen to put the case for CHP (combined heat and power) during this unusual event, which was designed to reflect the format of the TV show ‘X Factor’ that puts showbiz wannabes through their paces. In this version, ‘S’ stands for ‘sustainability’ and each contestant had to convince the judges and the large audience that their chosen technology was sustainable.
The judging panel, consisting of leading consulting engineer Ant Wilson, former M&E Sustainability chairman David Frise, and HVCA vice-president Graham Manly, accepted David’s argument that CHP was an essential element of any sustainable energy strategy.
He pointed out that central power generation is only 35 per cent efficient due to transmission losses and rejected heat from the generation process, whereas on-site CHP produces useful heat and cheap electricity at a combined efficiency of between 80 and 85 per cent.
“We must stop polluting the air with heat,” he told the panel. “All that wasted heat from power stations is enough to provide every home in the UK with free heating and hot water.”
David added that recent Carbon Trust field trials had proved that wider adoption of onsite mini and micro CHP generating power and heat at the point of use would cut annual carbon emissions from heating by 20 per cent.
“Reliability is also a big issue,” he added. “CHP generates power when the sun is not shining and the wind not blowing – and the equipment only needs a visit from an engineer once or twice a year. Technology that depends on the environmental conditions can add to the inefficiency problem rather than solving it.
“CHP is tried and tested, proven and reliable. It is easy to install and does not need any big holes dug in the ground or roofs reinforced – it can go into existing plant rooms or where boilers used to be,” said David. “It is not a highly visible technology, like wind or solar, so does not get the same attention, but its performance is far more impressive.”
The judges asked a number of searching questions, but accepted that CHP would play a vital role in the country’s future energy strategy. They added that it was a sensible way to improve the poor efficiency of our national energy generation.
All three agreed that David Shaw and CHP had the ‘S Factor’.
Other Press Releases By This Company
- 20/07/2010 - Electricity row boosts case for CHP
- 15/03/2010 - CHP puts caravan club on right road
- 04/01/2010 - Baxi in top public sector award win
- 08/10/2009 - CRC will increase demand for CHP
- 02/10/2009 - CHP powers £5m health centre
- 20/08/2009 - Baxi CHP slashes sheltered housing fuel bill
- 21/07/2009 - CHP helps reduce carbon footprint
