BTEC webinar explores biomass CHP, district heating

Biomass Power & Heat
By Anna Austin May 26, 2011

The efficiencies of conventional or central station fossil fuel plants have not changed much in the past half century, according to John Cuttica, director of the Midwest CHP (combined heat and power) Regional Application Center.

“It’s hard to believe, but the efficiencies of these plants have not really increased in over 50 years,” he said. “For every 100 units of fuel that enters these plants, we only get about 30 to 33 units of electricity. The rest of the energy contained in the fuel is released into the atmosphere in the form of heat.”

On the other hand, efficiencies in thermal energy have increased to 80 percent or higher, he said, adding that a baseline to improve upon begins at about 50 to 55 percent efficiency.

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