CHP units

CHP units are miniature power plants using the combined heat and power (CHP) generation principle to produce heat and power locally and, if required, also to provide refrigeration.

The principle is simple but efficient. Combined heat and power units drive a generator that produces electricity. The frictional and exhaust air heat generated in the process is recovered and used for heating and hot drinking-water production. A connected absorption refrigerator can convert the heat into cold air which can be used to refrigerate office or commercial buildings in summer.

Specialized on mini-CHP units

Fuels very well suitable for the operation of a CHP unit are natural gas and refined biogas, the so-called bio natural gas. Meanwhile, however, oil-fired, biomass-fired and fuel cell CHP units are also being used. An important requirement with regard to the profitability of decentralised CHP units is to achieve an annual operating time which is as long as possible, at least 4,500 hours/year.

In addition, there should be a certain thermal and electrical base load. The CHP unit will then provide 60 to 80 percent of the heat requirement and a peak load boiler will be operated in addition when the demand for hot water is high and/or outside temperatures are low. The operator of a CHP may market the electricity directly in the building or feed it into the public grid.

Under the CHP act, a surcharge of 5.11 cents is paid for each kWh generated. Meanwhile, CHPs of sizes from 5 kWel are available as pilot plants for use in single-family or two-family houses. A broad spectrum of applications tried and tested in practice is available in the output range from 15 kWel. The Berliner Energieagentur has specialised in the supply of residential, office and administrative buildings using miniature-CHP units.

We finance, plan, install and operate these plants at our own economic risk. We integrate the CHP unit into an existing central heating system (additional provision model) or replace the old heating system and install a completely new energy centre including CHP unit (full contracting). Customers can use our free CHP check for a first projection to see whether or not a mini-CHP unit would make sense in their own building.