Possibilities and limits of cogeneration with regard to energy saving and CO2 reduction

The combined heat and power production by cogeneration power plants is considered as a very interesting technology because of its high energy conversion efficiency. Thus, district or local heat is able to cover a part of the energy need for the space and process heat and for the hot-water supply in the public and in the industrial sector. This paper presents the newest estimations of the potential of cogeneration for the energy system in the Federal Republic of Germany. The results are critically discussed with regard to the contribution of cogeneration in saving energy and reducing CO2 as well as to the results of other studies. 11 refs., 4 tabs