Micro Combined Heat In Uk Residential Areas Environmental Sciences Essay

Micro Combined Heat In Uk Residential Areas Environmental Sciences testifyCombined wake up and power or cogeneration is the concurrent production of hot pants and galvanic cipher. CHP technologies produce electrical goose egg, take fireing and cooling from fuels much(prenominal) as natural tout or renewable including landfill float or biodiesel at or close facilities like industrial complexes or commercial buildings. That is important beca hire almost 70 per centum (Roth, 2005) of the energy exercising to gene appraise electricity at todays naturalized power plants is lost in conversion, delivery and distri neverthelession. That means all n previous(predicate) 30 per centum reaches its destination as useable power (Roth, 2005). CHP systems regenerate the come alive that would normally be wasted in conventional electricity generation. They then use the energy from that heat to cool and heat their facilities. Of course, they likewise assuage the cost of the fuel that a steal unit would use to produce heating or cooling. CHP systems come in galore(postnominal) sizes, from residential systems that generate one kilowatt of electricity to heavy industrial adeptnesss that plunder produce up to 25 megawatts.In a typical CHP, such as a fellate fired CHP, turgidity is burned in a combustion chamber. This creates a steady flow of hot gas that drives a turbine, which is coupled to a generator, thus producing electricity. As the gas is modify it is captured by a heat recovery boiler. The boiler then heats body of water which is pumped done insulated pipes providing space and water heating as required. In warmer countries were air conditioning is often used, the waste heat nooky in like manner drive an absorption chiller to produce cold air. This is cognize as trigeneration(Bex, 2008).2.3 Global WarmingGlobal warming describes the nursery effect. certain(a) gases allow short wave radiation to pass through them unabsorbed magic spell al so absorbing or so long wave radiation that gets reflected a squirttha into space (Knol, 2009). Greenhouse gases trap heat the way glass walls of a green house do causing the Earths temperature to raise.For thousands of years, emissions of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere take a crap been well balanced by the amount of greenhouse gases that get naturally absorbed. These conditions bring in allowed human civilisation to develop within a logical humor. Evidence arrays that human activity contributes to global warming by adding to and ever-changing the levels of the gases responsible for the greenhouse effects. Changes that have historically taken thousands of years argon now taking place over decades. Rapidly retreating glaciers in countries such as Greenland, Alaska, Antarctica and on high tropical mountains show that global black eye is melting and that massive glaciers worldwide argon disappearing fast.As water flows to the seas from melting glaciers and icecaps, causin g a rise in sea levels. If this continues passing populated cities like Tokyo, Bangkok, Shanghai and New York are all at risk of major flooding. Scientists predict that floods and droughts are likely to increase in number and severity and climate related diseases such as malaria can rise. (REFERENCE) Other signs of climate alteration are seen in drying forests and dying wildlife.Methane, azotic oxide and carbon dioxide (CO2) are just some(prenominal) of the greenhouse gases contributing to climate change.2.3.1 Carbon DioxideOf all the greenhouse gases, carbon dioxide is the main culprit. CO2 accounts for the heavy(p)st analogy of greenhouse gases and contributed almost 77 pct of the UKs fit emissions of greenhouse gases in 1990 (REFERENCECCB). Currently, carbon dioxide is responsible for more or less 60 percent of the enhanced greenhouse effect (BBC, 2010).Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide. Fossil fuels are used to power cars, heat homes and give people electric ity. Deforestation is also a major problem as the carbon dioxide stored in trees is released and also results in less carbon dioxide being removed from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide have risen steadily since the beginning of the industrial transformation and these levels are forecast to rise even more rapidly as the global economy grows (ASME, 2009).Reducing the threat of global climate change starts with using clean energy options where available to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. Such clean energy options include microgeneration technologies such as subaltern wind turbines, heat pumps and micro combined heat and power systems.2.3.2 UK establishment PledgesThe Kyoto protocol treated was agreed in japan in Kyoto, Japan in December 1997. It came into force in on 16 February 2005.The Kyoto protocol is an international agreement linked to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It is a legally binding agree ment under which industrialized countries exit reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 5.2 percent by 2012 compared to the year 1990. The aim is to lower overall emissions from six greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide. National targets have been set for countries worldwide, some of which include an 8 percent reduction for Australia, 6 percent for Japan, 10 percent for Iceland and 8 percent for the atomic number 63an Union (REFERENCE).The 2006 UK Climate Change Programme, is designed to meet the UKs Kyoto Protocol targets by reducing the emission of greenhouse gases by 12.5 percent amid 2008 and 2012 (REFERENCE). This would also bring the UK closer to meeting their municipal target fo reducing carbdon dioxide emissions by 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2010 (REFERENCE). It also includes a goal the reduce overall carbon dioxide emissions by 60 percent by around 2050, with a significant reduction of around 26 percent by 2020 (REFERENCE). In July 2007 the Governments edifice A Greener prox Policy Statement revealed that all new homes mustiness be cypher carbon from 2016 (REFERENCE).To achieve these domestic targets, new low carbon technologies must be introduced in homes across the UK. Focusing on the manufacture and installation of microgeneration technologies seems the most probable route for the government to go if they are going to meet their targets.2.4 Micro-CHPMicro CHP is the simultaneous production of heat and electricity in a domestic or handsome commercial environment. They are chiefly run as heat applications, installed in the residents home, acting as a replacement for a conventional heating system such as a condensing boiler. Micro-CHP systems are currently based on several(prenominal) different technologiesStirling EnginesSteam EnginesInternal Combustion EnginesMicroturbinesIn a Micro-CHP system, a prime mover such as a Stirling locomotive drives a generator which produces electricity. The waste heat from the engine is used in th e particular circuit of the heating system and the electricity generated is either used in the house or transferred back to the grid.Micro-CHP systems are able produce heat at a very high efficiency of over 90% (Nottingham Energy Partnership, 2008) and utilise waste heat to produce electricity as a by-product. This leads to a reduction in C02 emissions and may also drastically reduce energy bills, with a saving of 35% per annum being realizable (Cogen, 2009).In the past and present, CHP has proven to be beneficial in many large- photographic plate situations by increasing the overall thermal efficiency, reducing the total power requirement, and providing higher quality, more reliable power. Applying CHP technology to smaller scale residential and small commercial buildings is an attractive option due the large grocery store say-so. (Mado et al, 2008) habitus 3 Schematic of how energy flows in a micro CHP system2.5 MarketabilityToday, countries all over the world are torture ab out the effects of climate change. Governments are providing major support in the design and manufacture of greener technologies, all in aid of reducing in carbon dioxide emissions. They are encouraging people to go greener, and in some countries are providing financial support towards pushing micro-CHP systems onto the food market. (CHPA, 2010)The main target market for micro-CHP is the domestic market as a replacement for conventional gas boilers in domestic residences, with the Micro-CHP unit operating in a heat-led mode.The UKs domestic sector is responsible for 33.6 percent(REFERENCE) of the electrical usage. This is evident from the data provided in intent 4 which also shows that the domestic sector makes up the largest packet of UKs electrical energy use of goods and services.Figure 4 UK Electrical Consumption by build SectorFigure 5 UK Electrical Consumption by Building SectorThe domestic energy consumption is not only the largest portion of the pie chart, but it is als o the fastest growing segment. From 1961 to 2004 the number of UK households rose from around 16.5 million to 24.7 million (Office for National Statistics, 2005) and in 2009 projected figures published show an 30 percent increase in English households (CLG, 2009) and a 25 percent increase in Welsh households(W.A.G, 2009) over the next 20 years. Of the 24.7 million UK households around 14 to 18 million of these are tell to be suitable for m-CHP units. (Cogen, 2005). Generally houses in the UK have low levels of detachment and therefore require higher levels of heating compared to much of north-west Europe (Cogen, 2005). Statistics show that only 14 percent of UK homes are fully insulated. Figure 6 shows that from 1970 to 2000 energy use for space heating has risen by 24 percent, for water heating by 15 percent, and for lighting and appliances by 157 percent. The only reduction was energy used in cookin which has fallen by 16 percent. (National Statistics, 2001)Figure 6 Domestic fin al energy consumption by end use 1970 to 2000There are approximately 17 million gas-fired fundamental heating systems in the UK and approximately 1.3 million gas boilers are sold each year (Cogen, 2003).These figures show the large potential market for Micro-CHP in the UK.2.4.1 UK Government Financial AidThe domestic Micro-CHP market is supported by the UK government who help fund public bodies that are in support of a more energy efficient UK. two of these main public bodies are the Carbon Trust and the Energy miserliness Trust (Act On CO2, 2008). In April 2005, the UK Government stated its intentions to support the lease of this up-and-coming technology by reducing VAT on Micro-CHP units from 17.5 percent to 5 percent (Cibse, 2005). On 1 April 2006, the Department for Trade exertion announced phase one of its 80m to suport the take-up of microgeneration technology under the emit Carbon Building Programme (Cowburn, 2008).On 5 February 2010, the Government value the importanc e of Micro-CHP technology and announced its financial support for the technology through its Clean Energy Cashback Scheme (also known as the Feed-In Tarrif) (REFERENCEcashrewardformchp).Graham Meeks, coach of the CHPA (Combined Heat and Power Association), said Support uner the Feed-In Tarrif is vital in the early stages of commercialisation for micro-CHP, and todays announcement is a step in the right direction. It will help secure the UKs world- principal position in this exciting low-carbon technology, whilst giving householders a cost-effective choice in cutting their carbon footprint. (REFERENCEcashreward)The Feed-in Tariff (FiT) strategy is the archetypal phase of the Governments Clean Energy Cashback programme, and came into effect on the maiden April 2010 (Energy Saving Trust, 2010). It will provide a financial incentive for small scale, low carbon electricity generation. The FiT is mainly intended as a means of encouraging adoptions of green microgeneration technologies . The scheme has the potential to overturn the way consumers use and generate energy.How the Scheme WorksIf you are bailable to take in the FiT then you will benefit in 3 ways1. Generation tariff a set rate paying(a) by the energy supplier for each unit (or kWh) of electricity you generate. This rate will change each year for new entrants to the scheme (except for the first 2 years), but once you join you will continue on the like tariff for 20 years, or 25 years in the case of solar electricity (PV).2. Export tariff you will receive a further 3p/kWh from your energy supplier for each unit you trade back to the electricity grid, that is when it isnt used on site. The export rate is the same for all technologies.3. Energy bill savings you will be reservation savings on your electricity bills , because generating electricity to power your appliances means you dont have to buy as much electricity from your energy supplier. The amount you save will vary depending how much of t he electricity you use on site. (REFERENCE, energy savings trust)2.5.2 Current Market SituationIn 2002 it was estimated that there were around 1000 Micro-CHP systems in operation in the UK. The majority of these systems were Whisper Techs Whispergen Stirling engine and Senertech Dachs reciprocating engines (Wikipedia, 2009).At present, Stirling Engines, Organic Rankine Cycle and Internal Combustion Engines dominate the near-market (Dijkstra, 2009). However, only one company is close to exploiting the UK domestic market. The reason for this is other leading companies are targeting small commercial businesses and places like sheltered housing accomodation with big units (Cogen Europe, 2004).WhisperGen who have joined forces with one of the UKs leading power and gas companies E-ON (Micro Power, 2004) are at the forefront of the UKs domestic market. However, at present, they are not currently delivering any units to customers, although they are working towards a full market roll-out m urder mass manufactured units from 2011(E-ON, 2010).2.5 Micro-CHP System OverviewMicro CHP is the simultaneous production of heat and power in individual homes a unit which replaces the central heating boiler, providing heat and hot water as usual, but also generating electricity at the same time. It is not renewable energy (unless the fuel is renewable) but at least low carbon, and often lower carbon than some so-called renewable energy sources.The majority of micro CHP systems today use natural gas as a fuel. The fuel is burned in the Stirling engine or other prime mover the engine drives a generator which produces electricity for use in the home. Any surplus is exported to the mesh topology for use by others. Waste heat from the engine is used to heat water in the primary circuit of a hydronic, or radiator-based, central heating system. Depending on the type of prime mover, around 70% of the energy in the fuel is converted into heat, with 10-25% converted into electricity. Elect ricity is more rich than heat, so there are substantial economic and environmental benefits compared with the separate production of heat in a boiler and electricity in a power station.Smart metering uk climate change programmeCowburn D (2008). Microgeneration and why it is the future