CHP in US Clean Power Plant CHP power plant boiler system has always been a little too complicated for its own good involving both heat and power markets, systems and regulators; being neither central power generation nor on-site energy use but something in-between; and not being a renewable technology, though it sometimes uses a renewable fuel. Further, the installation of a CHP scheme often increases on-site emissions of carbon dioxide while nevertheless resulting in a net reduction in overall emissions. So, given the very obvious emissions-reducing qualities of both pure renewable energy technologies and those that simply reduce energy demand, CHP may not be at the top of anyone list of technologies to cut carbon emissions in the US.
However, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed Clean Power Plan, which established state-specific targets to reduce carbon emissions from existing power plants, allows states to use energy efficiency as a means to comply. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) is keen to assist US states to see CHP included, with a new guide to help states claim emission reductions that result from CHP. Combined heat and power is an underutilized resource in every state of the US, says the ACEEE, and could contribute 70 TWh of electricity savings nationwide in 2030, with corresponding savings in greenhouse gases of nearly 50 million tonnes. What more, obtaining credit for CHP capacity in a state compliance plan is an additional benefit