Cogeneration (Combined Heat and Power)

In a conventional power station, only about 30% of the energy in the fuel is converted to useful electrical energy. Most of the energy is simply wasted as heat.

The basic idea of combined heat and power (CHP) is to use the waste heat to provide useful hot water and heating for public buildings and homes.

However, CHP will only work effectively with power stations situated close to where the heat is to be used. This would mean replacing a few large, centralised power stations with lots of small ones - i.e. each town or village would need its own small power station.

Q:  Why must CHP power stations be close to where the heat is to be used?