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Benefits of Decentralised Production of Heat and Power for small energy consumers in the spotlight
25 Feb 2015

Between 60% and 70% of homeowners find micro-CHP "appealing", according to a survey presented at today's event on 'Benefits of Decentralised Production of Heat and Power: householders and small energy users in the spotlight'. Micro-CHP can reduce the energy bills of households and small businesses by up to 18%, empowering them to slash their CO2 emissions and leaving the micro-CHP sector upbeat about future growth prospects.

Micro-CHP technologies contribute significantly to achieving the EU's key energy, climate and competitiveness goals, according to the preview of the upcoming 'Micro-CHP Benefits Study' conducted by Delta-ee for COGEN Europe – presented ahead of the European Commission's Heating and Cooling Conference.

Micro-CHP owners become active participants in supplying their own energy, thereby helping to achieve the EU's energy policy objectives of ensuring security of supply and integrating into the energy mix variable renewable electricity, notably by producing electricity during peak demand periods in winter time and during hours of darkness. In addition, the Delta-ee study shows that between 60-70% of homeowners surveyed in Germany, Netherlands and the UK are interested in micro-CHP technologies.

The findings of the EU-funded CODE 2 project , also presented at the event, support the study's estimate that micro-CHP technologies can represent up to 35% of EU boiler sales by 2030 – provided that manufacturers and fuel suppliers continue to deliver cost reductions and develop micro-CHP packages as consumer-centred solutions.

A bright future is predicted for the micro-CHP industry as product costs are driven down by volume sales. However, the EU policy framework must reward users of the technology for its superior efficiency and the benefits that it offers local energy systems. Ambitious innovation and deployment will continue – for example, fuel cell machines with electrical efficiencies of 60% are now being installed thanks to field trial deployments under the EU-backed ene.field programme.

"Europe has ambitious goals for its energy and climate strategy. Micro-CHP is a highly efficient innovative technology, with a strong engineering base in Europe. It is exactly the kind of solution that the EU should be supporting, and should continue to support, through its Investment Plan, Energy Union Strategy and energy efficiency policy," said COGEN Europe Managing Director Fiona Riddoch.

To read a PDF version of this press release with footnotes giving full references and links for all the figures cited above, please click on the link below.