Micro combined heat and power (micro-CHP) systems are an energy-efficient technology that simultaneously provide heat and electricity to households and businesses. They are still niche products in the U.S., partially due to historically high initial costs, poor matching of thermal and electrical loads, and the complexity of distribution and installation. To make these products viable in the marketplace, low-cost, pre-engineered systems are needed.
Research, development and demonstration programs on micro-CHP and microgrids at GTI Energy are focusing on reducing the environmental impact of heat and power generation and bringing costs and emissions down while increasing resilience. GTI Energy is engaged with over a dozen national and international micro-CHP developers to test technologies in our labs, validate long-term performance and durability in the field, and help promote acceptance in U.S. residential and light commercial markets.
GTI Energy’s CHP laboratory features an integrated microgrid ecosystem with a CHP backbone powering other residential appliances such as heat pumps, water heaters, renewable CHP with solar photovoltaics coupled with solar thermals, and energy storage systems to facilitate development and testing.
Project Highlight:
Researchers are demonstrating microgrids and nanogrids that integrate micro-CHP with best-in-class electric heat pumps, thermal storage, PV and other commercially-available equipment to serve single-family and multifamily applications. These advanced systems provide annual fuel-fired efficiencies greater than 130% for heating, cooling, and hot-water loads, while increasing resiliency and using more renewable energy. In addition to demonstrating a new micro combined heat and power (mCHP) system at Naval Station Great Lakes, GTI Energy is installing and evaluating mCHP and microgrids at Maine Army National Guard facilities to quantify performance and economics.
Project Highlight:
With funding support from the California Energy Commission, SoCal Gas and UTD, GTI performed lab evaluations of a promising micro combined heat and power (micro-CHP) technology from Denmark-based EC Power A/S. The system uses advanced combustion control and post-combustion NOx reduction processes to generate extremely clean heat and power.
In fact, GTI facilitated CARB-compliant emissions testing of the system in its lab, proving the technology could meet stringent California emission regulations—a first for internal combustion engine-based systems less than 50 Horsepower.
In collaboration with key industry partners, GTI Energy’s research helped form a strategic partnership between to launch the XRGi25 micro-CHP product in the U.S. market.
Through testing and demonstrations, performance and cost-effectiveness of the system will be confirmed, providing insight on lifetime cost and revenue streams needed for consumers to make informed decisions.
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