by Shane Henson — February 11, 2013—The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers has published a revised and updated edition of CIBSE Applications Manual—AM12 Combined Heat and Power for Buildings that includes information on the role that combined heat and power (CHP) can play in delivering low-carbon buildings.
This guide was developed to inform industry professionals involved in the implementation of CHP technology to meet the highest standards recognized internationally for these engineering solutions.
According to the U.K.-based CIBSE, the comprehensive guide features new chapters on district heating (DH) applications, information for assessing environmental benefits, and more detail on tri-generation (cooling, heating and power—CCHP) and thermal storage.
The guide emphasizes that CHP and DH can offer a more energy-efficient way of generating power and be cost effective to implement in many applications. CHP produces both electric or shaft power and thermal energy onsite or near site, converting as much as 85 percent of the input fuel into useful energy, says CIBSE.
Used appropriately, CHP therefore increases resource energy efficiency and helps reduce CO2 emissions. CHP systems can also improve power reliability by reducing or eliminating a building’s dependence on the electric power grid, notes the organization.
