EC to boost CHP schemes to cut greenhouse gas emissions

The European Commission has unveiled a strategy to boost development of combined-heat-and-power (CHP) schemes, a plan driven in part by climate change concerns. The EC has adopted a proposal by Energy Commissioner Christos Papoutsis to use tax incentives, emission standards, and energy efficiency targets to promote CHP. "The strategy we propose," said Papoutsis, "is another example of our determination to promote rational use of our energy resources and thus significantly reduce greenhouse gas

Dec. 1, 1997

2 min read

The European Commission has unveiled a strategy to boost development of combined-heat-and-power (CHP) schemes, a plan driven in part by climate change concerns.

The EC has adopted a proposal by Energy Commissioner Christos Papoutsis to use tax incentives, emission standards, and energy efficiency targets to promote CHP.

"The strategy we propose," said Papoutsis, "is another example of our determination to promote rational use of our energy resources and thus significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

EC said a CHP scheme converts up to 85-90% of the energy content of fuels into electricity and heat, compared with only 30-40% efficiency of conventional electricity generating plants.

"The current 9% CHP penetration in the EU is well below what can be achieved technically and commercially," said the EC.

"Doubling the current share to 18% by 2010 is realistically achievable and will bring major environmental benefits."

EC estimates that doubling CHP capacity through replacing existing electric power and heat plants could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 150 million metric tons/year, or 4% of total European CO2 emissions, by 2010. The proposal calls for CHP to receive an increased share of EU technical development funding and for negotiated agreements with industrial sectors where CHP could bring high levels of energy savings.