CHP Alliance
Summary
As we look to build the grid of the future, we know it will be less carbon-intensive, need to be more resilient, and include more distributed resources and microgrids. Recently, President Biden signed an executive order directing the federal government to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, which includes reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) releases by 65 percent by 2030 and ensuring facilities are powered with zero-carbon energy. There are currently 24 U.S. states and the District of Columbia have set economy-wide GHG emissions targets.
Climate change and resulting extreme weather events require our future power system to be more resilient than ever before. A study published in March 2020 found that 78% of the interruptions in the U.S. power distribution system resulted from weather-related events. The future grid will need to not only address resiliency but also need to include low-emissions technologies that meet emissions goals and do not exacerbate these effects. This requires not just one solution, but various clean energy resources and technologies utilized conjointly.
Combined heat and power (CHP) is already being used to reduce emissions and increase the efficiency of the U.S. electricity system. In all regions except for New York and California, CHP systems installed through 2035 and operating through 2050 will allow for a net reduction in carbon emissions over their system lifetime. CHP systems are also highly efficient and can be up to 35% more efficient than thermal energy and electricity provided separately. Energy losses associated with electricity transmission are avoided since CHP systems provide energy close to where it will be consumed. CHP systems will provide substantial emissions savings for states well into the future.
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