Tuesday, 22 April 2014
Sunday, 20 April 2014
Responsible Energy Use - Improving Efficiency of Existing Natural Gas Architecture through Micro-CHPs
(Image Source: Consumer Action Law Centre)
The trilemma of energy usage means we have to produce it cheaply and sustainably without harming the environment, it needs to be socially acceptable without causing major disruptions to society such as job losses, significant change to lifestyle and well-being etc, and there also needs to be security of supply. The fact is that hydrocarbons would remain an integral part of that picture and natural gas will play a major role in ensuring that the much required transition to a low carbon economy is achieved.
Since energy consumption is now intrinsically tied to general well-being and a strict indicator of GDP, in the transition phase to a low carbon energy economy that satisfies both inter-generational and intra-generational equity, we need to think deeply about the choices we make, distinctively as individuals, and collectively as a society. These choices have to be made by individuals, corporations and governments, especially in the residential energy sector.
In this sector, it is important that any new energy technology proposition has little impact in disrupting existing infrastructure and can easily be switched and replaced without having to put out the lights or switching the heating off. Therefore, a more plug and play approach that doesn't destroy existing economies, investments or infrastructure, but supports the gradual reduction and replacement architecture towards a more sustainable energy usage is required. One of such systems that can be used is Micro Combined Heat and Power (Micro-CHP), where it has been shown that it has a potential to reduce overall domestic primary energy usage in the UK by 6-10% (Fubara, T.C, Cecelja. F, Yang, A). Micro-CHPs, which are small energy conversion devices installed in the household like conventional boilers, work by using natural gas from the grid to generate both heat and electricity at the same time on demand for delivery to the household. Excess electricity generated can in some respect be fed back in the electricity grid for some added financial benefit to the household user. There is also the added benefit of real time management of energy demand such that energy is only generated when it is required. This can be part of the solution to the 'Holy Grail' of Energy Storage as the energy will be stored only as fuel - natural gas in the grid - until it is required rather than switching on and off huge centralized energy systems.
However, the current costs of Micro-CHPs can be quite expensive and needs to come down further to enable a better payback time for home investors. Nevertheless, the fact that there is significant reduction on energy invested per energy consumed while implementing Micro-CHPs means that it is able to support energy security by emphasizing the decentralization of the energy infrastructure. Therefore, significant policy drivers need to focus on the development and deployment of Micro-CHPs, not just in the residential sector, but in the transport and business sectors. Further information can be found in the papers below:
Model-based Assessment of the Role of Natural Gas-based Micro-CHP in Residential Energy Supply Systems
Model-based Assessment of the Role of Natural Gas-based Micro-CHP in Residential Energy Supply Systems