Purchasing Resources for Cogeneration

Cogeneration

Understand how cogeneration can enhance your company
By Erin Oxendine Cogeneration can give your company many benefits from both a financial and an environmental perspective. Cogeneration is the combined product of simultaneous heat and power in a thermodynamic process. Most businesses use cogeneration because it reduces electrical costs, increases available energy and is better for the environment due to reduced emissions.
 

Cogeneration also offers many advantages to a company such as better fuel efficiency and cost reductions for heating hot water. It even produces its own power for heating and air conditioning. It is important to get all the cogeneration information you can before you decide if cogeneration is suitable for your company.

1. Research the requirements for a company to see if you are able to use cogeneration

2. Know federal and state laws regarding cogeneration to ensure that you would be compliant with environmental, industrial and safety regulations

3. Look at the future potential of cogeneration and see how the benefits would help your company long-term

Enroll in cogeneration informational classes and seminars

Don't get confused by all the options that are available with cogeneration. Find a class or conference to attend that will provide you with up to date cogeneration information and standards.
Try: Source Guides has a cogeneration list that has different training businesses to choose from depending on what state you live in and the type of training that you want. Cummins Power Generation offers on site training classes and self-study instructional methods.

Find cogeneration providers

A cogeneration provider can help you from start to finish and design a cogeneration system that works for your company's needs. A cogeneration provider will get quotes for you for start up and construction costs. They also assist in design, operation and maintenance.
Try: CogenPlan offers no-cost evaluations to determine if a cogeneration project would be right for you. Veolia Energy has cogeneration plant management packages with a variety of options including energy reduction and environmental impact.

Stay up to date with environmental regulations for cogeneration use

It's important for companies who use cogeneration to stay abreast on current environmental laws and regulations concerning cogeneration. If you do not stay compliant with the laws, your company could face stiff penalties.
Try: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the most up to date source for co-generation environmental laws and regulations. They offer access to tools and resources, seminars, article citations and recent press releases. Environmental Expert provides a multitude of databases for environmental industries including publications, newspaper articles, marketplace resources and tools. These will help you stay up to date.

• Compare your local power rates to the cost rate of natural gas. Ask your gas company for a discount if you use natural gas for cogeneration. Some utilities offer these to companies as cogeneration incentives.