If you are looking primarily for higher reliability and lower electric bills, then your solution is a Distributed Generation (DG) investment, i.e., a new generator that does not use the waste heat. Either in parallel with the utility grid or connected via a transfer switch when required, distributed generators can be beneficial to both the Owner and the electric utility. Enerconsult can help with the preliminary appraisal including the utility interconnection requirements. 

Combined Heat and Power (CHP), also called Cogeneration, is a proven and reachable technology. Its importance to the US economy is well documented in the National CHP Roadmap that charts a course for doubling the amount the CHP capacity by 2010.

However, it should be clearly understood that DG and CHP are not all-purpose solutions. Their suitability for a particular end user needs to be checked thoroughly by a full appraisal of reliability, heat and power needs along with other factors as operating hours, utility rates, fuel prices, operation and maintenance costs and environmental impact.

Enerconsult can perform the preliminary appraisal, i.e., the technical and economic analyses that will determine whether or not there is the potential for profitable adoption of DG or CHP. If they are unlikely options, Enerconsult can recommend other purchases or contract options, or other different approaches, without the financial and technical risks associated with DG ad CHP. Thus, the end user will not be performing a major investment outside its core business area.

As said, the suitability of these costly investments for a particular application needs to be checked by appraisals of reliability, heat and power needs along with all relevant parameters.  Enerconsult has collected appropriate recommendations from a number of US and European energy organizations. A comparative review of these sources is presented in “Performing Preliminary Appraisals of DG and CHP Projects” (see Articles). If you would like to learn more about your business' potential to benefit from DG or CHP, carry out a basic investigation to establish the key parameters (consumption profile, fuel costs and electric rates) and furnish this information to us. Enerconsult will contact you with our Preliminary Appraisal of whether DG or CHP makes sense to your operations.

Although these sources are different in their form and accounting, all of them use one or more of the established engineering economics’ indicators.  Enerconsult can analyze your data and requirements and select and will utilize the most suitable model for your particular appraisal. Bear in mind that these preliminary appraisals are rather simplistic answers on the profitability of complex undertakings.  Based on these results, if requested, Enerconsult will prepare a detailed Feasibility Study gathering complete data from your facilities and industry to clear out the initial assumptions and speculations used on the appraisal worksheets.  If the results of the Feasibility Study are satisfactory, you can project cost flows to finally make your decision TO-GO-OR-NOT-TO-GO. The next step is to begin preliminary design, issue RFPs and perform the studies for site permitting.

Enerconsult is also a full engineering consulting firm that can perform studies and basic design to ensure that the DG or CHP integration is properly engineered. For those purposes, compliance with IEEE 929 and 1547 and UL 1741 will be verified, and the required permits from your utility will be processed.

We welcome your inquiries. Contact us directly to info@enerconsult.net or Tel. 773-401-6261.

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