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The combined heat and power principle

Combined heat and power  is a means to produce electricity from a single fuel, natural gas in this case, and to recover the heat energy produced as a by-product, which would otherwise be lost. As a result, overall energy efficiency is greater than in conventional power plants.

The gas is burned in a turbine driving an alternator that generates electricity. The heat energy contained in the turbine exhaust gas is recovered in a boiler producing high-pressure steam, which itself drives a turbo-alternator to generate more electricity. 

The flashed-steam is then used, according to requirements, for industrial purposes, heating and/or to produce hot water for sanitary purposes. Electricity is either consumed on-site or sold to the French electricity utility, EDF. This income lowers the installation's running costs and depreciation expenses.

A major reduction in atmospheric emissions

Combined heat and power systems provide a means to reduce atmospheric emissions and to preserve the environment. By replacing a coal-fired plant with a combined heat and power unit for steam generation, sulphur dioxide emissions are reduced by 40%, and emissions of nitrogen oxides by 7%.

Decrease in SO2 and NOX emissions at Flins

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