Currently, most power generation comes from large power plants whereby only 33% of primary energy is turned into usable electricity with the other 67% released unused into the atmosphere. The energy is lost in heating steam generating boilers to power turbines while the electricity travels inefficiently through an ageing grid to reach its destination.

Alternatively, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems installed onsite at the point of use are becoming increasingly important in the energy sector’s transformation to a decentralized, stable and sustainable power grid. CHP is an efficient and clean way of generating electric power and thermal energy from a single fuel source such as natural gas, biogas, propane or hydrogen. The prime mover engine drives the generator, producing electricity, and the residual heat created during this process is captured and turned into useful heat. Two types of waste heat are produced by generating electricity. The first type is the heat that is recovered from the engine jacket water that is cooling the engine. Secondly, heat from the exhaust gas is transferred through a heat exchanger. This captured waste heat now can be used for heating, cooling or generating steam.