CHP - Combined Heat & Power

Forms of power generation using combustion can generally be made more efficient if the surplus heat is captured and used too. This is called Combined Heat and Power (CHP) in conventional power generation the large amount of heat produced as a by-product is lost. Combined Heat and Power technology puts this heat to use, recycling it for use in heating or for industrial purposes. This makes CHP a much more fuel efficient method of power generation, increasing overall efficiency of fuel use to more than 75% compared with the 50% achieved by conventional power generation. A variety of fuels can be used to power a CHP generator, as well as fossil fuels these include renewable sources such as Biomass, Geothermal and Solar energy.

High capital and maintenance costs mean CHP is more often used by the industrial, commercial or public sector rather than individual domestic users. Combined Heat and Power also lowers emissions of sulphor dioxide and nitrogen oxides, reducing acid rain meaning there are many benefits to CHP thus resulting in the sector having a huge projected growth moving forward.

Carbon Capture

Carbon is emitted into the atmosphere whenever we burn any fossil fuel, anywhere. The largest sources are cars, lorries and power stations that burn fossil fuels: coal, oil or gas. To prevent the carbon dioxide building up in the atmosphere (probably causing global warming and definitely causing ocean acidification), we can catch the CO2, and store it.

The global market for carbon capture technologies increased from $80.2 billion in 2006 to $88.7 billion in 2007. It should reach $236.3 billion by 2012. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) has the potential to reduce CO2 emitted from fossil fuel power stations by up to 90 percent.

Biomass

Biomass is a renewable, low carbon fuel that is already widely and often economically available throughout the UK. Its production and use also brings additional environmental and social benefits. Correctly managed biomass is a sustainable fuel that can deliver a significant reduction in net carbon emissions when compared with fossil fuels.

The consultation on the Renewable Energy Strategy considers that around 30 percent of the UK's overall 15 percent renewable energy target could come from biomass heat and electricity in 2020.