3 Anoficial website of the United States government Here's how you know a United States or Environmental Protection Menu w Agency | Search EPA.gov Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Partnership CONTACT US Methods for Calculating CHP Efficiency Every CHP application involves the recovery of heat that would otherwise be wasted. In this way, CHP increases fuel-use efficiency. ‘Two measures are commonly used to quantify the efficiency of a CHP system: total system efficiency and effective electric efficiency. * Total system efficiency is the measure used to compare the efficiency of a CHP system to that of conventional supplies (the combination of grid-supplied electricity and useful thermal energy produced in a conventional on-site boiler). If the objective is to compare CHP system energy efficiency to the efficiency of a site's conventional supplies, then the total system efficiency measure is likely the right choice. * Effective electric efficiency is the measure used to compare CHP-generated electricity to electricity generated by power plants, which is how most electricity is produced in the United States. If CHP electrical efficiency is needed to compare CHP to conventional electricity production (i.e., grid-supplied electricity), then the effective electric efficiency metric is likely the right choice. Certain assumptions are implicit in each methodology that are not appropriate in all cases. Consequently, the measure employed should be selected carefully and the results interpreted with caution.Total System Efficiency The total system efficiency (fo) of a CHP system is the sum of the total fuel energy input (Q, as shown below: We+2 Qu Qruet. No= The calculation of total system efficiency evaluates the combined CHP outputs (i.e., electricity and useful thermal output) based on the fuel consumed. CHP systems typically achieve total system efficiencies of 60 to 80 percent. Note that this measure does not differentiate between the value of the electric output and the thermal output; instead, it treats electric output and thermal output as having the same value which allows them to be added (kWh can be converted to Btu using a standard conversion factor). In reality, electricity is considered a more valuable form of energy because of its unique properties. Effective Electric Efficiency Effective electric efficiency (EEE) can be calculated using the equation below, where We is the net useful electric output, ¥ Qzy is the sum of the net useful thermal output, Quer is the total fuel energy input, and a equals the efficiency of the conventional technology that would be used to produce the useful thermal energy output if the CHP system did not exist: We Ce 3 Gale) For example, ifa CHP system is natural gas-fired and produces steam, then a represents the efficiency of a conventional natural gas-fired boiler. Typical boiler efficiencies are 80 percent for natural gas-fired boilers, 75 percent for biomass-fired boilers, and 83 percent for coal-fired boilers. The calculation of effective electric efficiency is the CHP net electric output divided by the additional fuel the CHP system consumes over and above what would have been used by a boiler to produce the thermal output of the CHP system.Typical effective electric efficiencies for combustion turbine-based CHP systems range from 50 to 70 percent. Typical effective electric efficiencies for reciprocating engine- based CHP systems range from 70 to 85 percent. ‘Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Partnership Home About Us Discover CHP What Is CHP? CHP Benefits CHP Technologies Methods for Calculating CHP Efficiency CHP Energy and Emissions Savings Calculator Market Snapshot: CHP at Hospitals Project Development Energy Star CHP Awards Webinars and Presentations Documents and Tools Contact Us to ask a question, provide feedback, or report a problem.Discover. Accessibility Budget & Performance EPA www Web Snapshot Grants No FEAR Act Data Privacy Privacy and Security Notice Inspector General Jobs Newsroom Open Government Subscribe USA. gov White House Ask. Contact EPA EPA Disclaimers Hotlines FOIA Requests Follow. AnoOOG LAST UPDATED ON APRIL 30, 2021