Building Resiliency into Operational Improvements with Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
Energy efficiency, load management, and capacity planning are the typical scenarios to engage with your utility. But what if there were ways to incorporate broader resilience into your utility incentive discussion? Combined heat and power (CHP) systems not only can reduce the utility energy consumption of a building, but can also support microgrid integration, island mode, and grid independence during storms. CHP systems support microgrids by accounting for load flexibility in a way solar, fuel cells, and battery storage are lacking, have the potential to be the linchpin to cost-efficient microgrids, and encourage cost-effective transition towards more distributed energy resources.
In this paper, we establish how CHP systems can be a transitionary steppingstone for decarbonizing communities in partnership with utilities and local energy management organizations:
• Three key design tradeoffs are evaluated for the future of CHP as a resiliency solution: new construction vs. retrofit, stand-alone vs. microgrids, and building vs. community applications.
• Two case studies within the PHI utilities in Maryland demonstrate efficiency benefits and resiliency outcomes through utility incentives and state resiliency grants.
• Discuss how future utility CHP programs can incorporate equitable goals within project eligibility to foster climate resiliency in underserved communities.
Speaker Bio
Edward is the commercial portfolio manager for energy efficiency programs in Maryland for Pepco Holdings.
He has over 15 years of experience in the energy efficiency industry and has received numerous awards for helping customer save energy and money. His passion is the ongoing pursuit of continuous improvement to achieve optimal efficiency in life and at work.
Edward holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Montana State University and MBA from DePaul University.