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Is There a Future for Small-Scale Cogeneration in Europe? Economic and Policy Analysis of the Internal Combustion Engine, Micro Gas Turbine and Micro Humid Air Turbine Cycles

Author

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  • Marina Montero Carrero

    (Thermo and Fluid Dynamics (FLOW), Faculty of Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
    Aero-Thermo-Mechanical (ATM) Department, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
    Combustion and Robust Optimisation (BURN), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Irene Rodríguez Sánchez

    (Aero-Thermo-Mechanical (ATM) Department, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Ward De Paepe

    (Thermal Engineering and Combustion Unit, University of Mons, 7000 Mons, Belgium)

  • Alessandro Parente

    (Aero-Thermo-Mechanical (ATM) Department, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
    Combustion and Robust Optimisation (BURN), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Francesco Contino

    (Thermo and Fluid Dynamics (FLOW), Faculty of Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium
    Combustion and Robust Optimisation (BURN), Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) and Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), 1050 Brussels, Belgium)

Abstract

If more widely deployed, small-scale cogeneration could increase energy efficiency in Europe. Of the two main commercially available technologies—the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and the micro Gas Turbine (mGT)—the ICE dominates the market due to its higher electrical efficiency. However, by transforming the mGT into a micro Humid Air Turbine (mHAT), the electrical efficiency of this cycle can increase, thus enhancing its operational flexibility. This paper presents an in-depth policy and economic assessment of the the ICE, mGT and mHAT technologies for dwellings based in Spain, France and Belgium. The hourly demands of average households, the market conditions and the subsidies applicable in each region are considered. The aim is twofold: to evaluate the profitability of the technologies and to assess the cogeneration policies in place. The results show that only the ICE in Brussels is economically viable, despite all units providing positive energy savings in all locations (except mHAT in Spain). Of the three different green certificate schemes offered in Belgium, Brussels is the one leading to the best outcome. Spain awards both capital and operational helps, although auto-consumption is not valued. The same applies to the complex French feed-in tariff. Conclusively, with the current policies, investing in small-scale cogeneration is in general not attractive and its potential efficiency gains remain unveiled.

Suggested Citation

  • Marina Montero Carrero & Irene Rodríguez Sánchez & Ward De Paepe & Alessandro Parente & Francesco Contino, 2019. "Is There a Future for Small-Scale Cogeneration in Europe? Economic and Policy Analysis of the Internal Combustion Engine, Micro Gas Turbine and Micro Humid Air Turbine Cycles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-27, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:12:y:2019:i:3:p:413-:d:201479
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Pavel Atănăsoae & Radu Dumitru Pentiuc & Laurențiu Dan Milici, 2022. "Opportunity Analysis of Cogeneration and Trigeneration Solutions: An Application in the Case of a Drug Factory," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-27, April.
    2. Jiecheng Zhu & Xitian Wang & Da Xie & Chenghong Gu, 2019. "Control Strategy for MGT Generation System Optimized by Improved WOA to Enhance Demand Response Capability," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-20, August.
    3. Marek Jaszczur & Michał Dudek & Zygmunt Kolenda, 2020. "Thermodynamic Analysis of Advanced Gas Turbine Combined Cycle Integration with a High-Temperature Nuclear Reactor and Cogeneration Unit," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-16, January.
    4. Tilocca, Giuseppe & Sánchez, David & Torres-García, Miguel, 2023. "Application of the theory of constraints to unveil the root causes of the limited market penetration of micro gas turbine systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    5. Konečná, Eva & Teng, Sin Yong & Máša, Vítězslav, 2020. "New insights into the potential of the gas microturbine in microgrids and industrial applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    6. Pavel Atănăsoae, 2020. "Technical and Economic Assessment of Micro-Cogeneration Systems for Residential Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-19, February.

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