The Integration of Cogeneration and Space Cooling

Abstract

Cogeneration is the production of electrical and thermal energy from a single fuel source. In comparison, electric power generation rejects the useful heat energy into lakes or other heat sinks. Electric generation alone provides approximately 30 percent of its prime energy for useful end-use energy, while cogeneration makes approximately 80-85 percent of its prime energy source available for useful work (Figure A). The application of the thermal energy is critical to the economic analysis of a cogeneration project since nearly two-thirds of the energy and economic savings are produced by the hot water and/or exhaust gases. Finding a productive and economical application for the thermal energy is extremely important.