Leveraging combined heat and power
Figure 1: Comparison of separate heat and power generation with cogeneration. (FIGURE IS COURTESY OF THE AUTHORS)
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Another key advantage of outsourcing energy management is that full-service outside providers possess the expertise to evaluate,
design, build, and then operate technologies such as combined heat and power (CHP) to optimize energy efficiency. CHP, sometimes
referred to as cogeneration, is an efficient energy technology that simultaneously generates power (i.e., electricity) and
thermal energy, which is used for heating, cooling, and production of high-pressure process steam, while typically consuming
only 60% of the fuel required for separate processes (1). Figure 1 illustrates the higher energy efficiency of CHP compared to separate heat and power production. CHP technology is currently
experiencing a resurgence in pharmaceutical facilities due to its many operational benefits. CHP can provide increased energy
reliability, greater fuel flexibility, and market responsiveness. CHP can also mitigate lost products and research projects
due to utility grid failures. CHP reduces greenhouse gas emissions; the waste heat generated during the power production process
can be captured, recycled, and used for process applications without the need for boilers within each building.
CHP is a proven solution for industrial manufacturing environments, in which reliable power is crucial. According to the US
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Combined Heat and Power Partnership, 88% of existing CHP plants are utilized for industrial
purposes (2). The other 12% are used by commercial and institutional entities such as hospitals, municipal and state governments,
colleges, and universities. With a full-service outsourcing provider, designing, building, and operating complex energy infrastructure
may be achieved seamlessly.
Customers that implement CHP typically experience the following benefits:
- Cost savings. Burning less fuel generates cost savings. CHP users avoid buying from the market at peak price periods. CHP
can also be configured to use locally-sourced renewable fuels.
- Reliability. Utility power outages will not interrupt CHP operations, so critical processes continue uninterrupted.
- Environmental benefits. Greenhouse gas emissions and criteria air pollutants are reduced when less fuel is combusted.
- Fuel diversity. CHP plants may be designed for input of multiple sources of fuel. This multi-fuel ability increases energy
security and can also mitigate volatility in fuel commodity prices.
Conclusion
Outsourcing may seem like a simple concept, but the potential benefits are significant, especially when complex energy infrastructure
must be operated and maintained at the highest levels of reliability. Pharmaceutical research and manufacturing processes
are costly to operate, so outsourcing the facility's energy plant operations and management can be a solution to control costs,
reduce fuel and energy consumption, and evaluate and implement energy solutions and technologies that can ensure the integrity
of the underlying processes.
Mel Palmer is business development director for Veolia Energy North America, marketing@veoliaenergy.com
, tel. 617.849.6656. David Lyons is client operations manager at Dalkia Ireland's Pharmaceutical & Healthcare division.
References
1. EPA, "Efficiency Benefits,"
http://www.epa.gov/chp/basic/efficiency.html, accessed June 20, 2012.
2. EPA, "Combined Heat and Power FAQ,"
http://www.epa.gov/chp/documents/faq.pdf, accessed June 22, 2012.
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