- INTRODUCTUON .
Mini cogeneration DERs supplies electricity for more than one household and if the excess energy can be sold, these installations are generally more viable from an economic point of view. Thus, mini CHPs have a large role to play in the field of carbon reduction in buildings where more than 14% of carbon can be saved by using mini CHPs (WRAPAI 2009).
Biogas cogeneration is extensively used and disseminated in rural China, Nepal, Vietnam, rural Costa Rica, Colombia, Rwanda, and other regions of the world where waste management and industry closely interface.Methane is the valuable component under the aspect of using biogas fuel. The calorific value of biogas is about 6 kWh/m3, which corresponds to about half a liter of diesel oil and can be utilised directly as a heat source or to produce electricity. In all cases, the biogas must be dehumidified and purified before combustion; otherwise it can damage the gas engine.Micro cogeneration is a so-called distributed energy resource (DER). Biogas is burned for running a generator (e.g. micro turbine). The installation is usually less than 5 kWe (Kilowatts-electrical, WRAPAI 2009). Instead of burning fuel to merely heat space or water, some of the energy is converted to electricity in addition to heat. This electricity can be used within the home or business or, if permitted by the grid management, sold back into the electric power grid (WIKIPEDIA 2010).
Mini cogeneration is a DER producing usually more than 5 kWe and less than 500 kWe (WRAPAI 2009) and the excess energy is generally fed into the electricity grid. To be viable a good base load for electrical demand and heat demand must exist (WIKIPEDIA 2010).
Current Micro- and Mini CHP installations use five different technologies: micro turbines, internal combustion engines, external combustion engines (stirling engines), steam engines and fuel cells.
Biogas systems are an environmental friendly way of energy production and have a positive impact on climate change. In fact, the contribution of a methane molecule (CH4) to the greenhouse effect is 21 times greater than that of a carbon dioxide molecule (SUSANA 2009). Therefore burning methane, even though producing CO2, reduces its impact on the environment
Applicability
The technology is easily adaptable and can be applied at household or community level. To minimise distribution losses, the reactors should be installed close to the CHP where the gas can be used.
Micro cogeneration is a so-called distributed energy resource (DER) useful for a single house or small business because of the low power output. This electricity can be used within the home or business or, if permitted by the grid management, sold back into the electric power grid.
Mini cogeneration DERs supplies electricity for more than one household and if the excess energy can be sold, these installations are generally more viable from an economic point of view. Thus, mini CHPs have a large role to play in the field of carbon reduction in buildings where more than 14% of carbon can be saved by using mini CHPs (WRAPAI 2009).
Biogas cogeneration is extensively used and disseminated in rural China, Nepal, Vietnam, rural Costa Rica, Colombia, Rwanda, and other regions of the world where waste management and industry closely interface.
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