Policy Makers/Planners - Emissions

Emissions associated with electric power can be attributed to the source - power generation - or to the "end-users." CHP systems help reduce emissions by increasing efficiency in the overall generation of electric power and energy usage, and by reducing transmission energy losses by moving the source of generation closer to the end-user.

Saving energy by utilizing heat that other would be rejected increases energy efficiency by reducing the need for the generation of electricity by central station plants. By increasing energy efficiency CHP helps prevent "greenhouse" gas emissions (CO₂) and other forms of air pollution. Increasing energy efficiency is a smart practice that helps the economy, too, by saving consumers and businesses million of dollars in energy costs each year.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the key gas responsible for global warming concerns. The overwhelming share of U.S. and world CO₂ emissions comes from burning fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and gas. Burning fossil fuel also causes emissions of other greenhouse gases as well, such as methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O). The Department of Energy has several initiatives in collaboration with EPA that will help to increase efficiency by improving overall energy performance in commercial buildings, school systems, local governments, homes, transportation networks, electricity plants, and many other areas.

CHP systems offer great potential for improving the environment; it can lower CO₂ greenhouse gases emissions by 45% or more. In the September 1997 Scenarios of U.S. Carbon Reductions, five DOE laboratories examined more than 200 technologies, and found that the application of three power generation technologies for CHP applications -advanced turbines, fuel cells, and integrated combined cycle technologies - accounted for nearly 10% of the projected carbon savings. The next generation of turbines, fuel cells, and reciprocating engines offers increased efficiency at reduced size and versatility in the ratio of electric or mechanical energy to thermal energy. These can be combined with advanced thermal recovery technologies for the highest possible overall total energy efficiency and lowest carbon emissions.

In September of 2001, the EPA initiated the CHP Partnership program. Partners in the program agreed to work with the EPA to develop and promote the benefits of new CHP projects. EPA will provide public recognition of projects and benefits to the company, public and the environment. EPA will also support accelerated development of new projects, through education, streamlined permitting and provision of technical tools and services. In a Press Release announcing the initiation of the CHP Partnership, Christie Whitman, Administrator of the EPA said that "Combined Heat and Power is not only better than conventional electricity generation at reducing air pollution and fuel consumption, it's more reliable and costs less to do so … Founding partners in this program are leading the way toward a cleaner future."

The existing CHP projects of the 17 founding partners represent more than 5,800 megawatts of power generating capacity, an amount capable of serving almost six million households (about the size of the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area). The projects annually reduce the main global warming gas, carbon dioxide, by more than 8 million tons above what would achieved from traditional generation methods; in addition, the annual energy savings equal 19 million barrels of oil more than would be attained under conventional combustion.

In addition to establishing the CHP Partnership, EPA is working to implement several other actions to promote co-generation in the United States. EPA will be publishing soon in the Federal Register draft guidance clarifying the Clean Air Act requirements for constructing CHP facilities, to speed permitting and ensure that environmental benefits are fully realized. In another action, EPA will evaluate CHP applications under its Brownfields program.

More information on the EPA CHP Partnership can be found at their special CHP Partnership website at www.epa.gov/chp.