Research project
Funding: E.ON, IFI
Duration: 2007-05-15 ~ 2009-05-15
Contacts: Albert Molderink
Staff: Johann Hurink, Albert Molderink, and Gerard Smit
DESCRIPTION
In recent years people are getting more aware of their energy usage. This leads to more research on efficiency increasing technologies and (control) methodologies. One of these technologies is micro Combined Heat and Power (microCHP). A microCHP device is seen as the successor of the conventional high efficiency boiler producing next to heat also electricity, with an overall energy efficiency equal to the efficiency of a high efficiency boiler. Since the efficiency of electricity production in conventional power plants is low (at most 60%) due to waste heat, installing a microCHP device results in less primary fuel usage and less Carbon Dioxide (CO2 ) production.
In recent years people are getting more aware of their energy usage. This leads to more research on efficiency increasing technologies and (control) methodologies. One of these technologies is micro Combined Heat and Power (microCHP). A microCHP device is seen as the successor of the conventional high efficiency boiler producing next to heat also electricity, with an overall energy efficiency equal to the efficiency of a high efficiency boiler. Since the efficiency of electricity production in conventional power plants is low (at most 60%) due to waste heat, installing a microCHP device results in less primary fuel usage and less Carbon Dioxide (CO2 ) production. The first part of my research is a feasibility study on the possibility of using a microCHP device as backup power generator in case of a power outage, creating an Islanded House. Such an added functionality could speed up the introduction of microCHP on the consumer market. The goal of the Islanded operation is to at least supply the most important appliances such as heating, lights and safety and security systems during a power cut. Next to the supply of these systems, also a (limited) number of other appliances may be supplied to reduce the discomfort during the outage. The second part is to research the non-Islanded potential. This may increase the energy efficiency significantly and enlarge the usefulness of the hardware equipment that has to be bought for the Islanded House scenario.