Cogeneration is the simultaneous production of heat and power in a single thermodynamic process. With typical fossil-fuel-fired, utility-scale power production, roughly 60 to 70% of the total energy is lost as waste heat. By capturing that thermal energy, overall efficiency can be dramatically increased. A cogeneration plant captures that ‘waste’ and usually transports it through underground pipes to commercial or industrial buildings for heating or cooling (new advances are connecting cogeneration waste heat with fuel cell power).

Also known as "combined heat and power," this process ultimately requires less burning of fossil fuels (improving the air we breath). Sometimes cogeneration plants use renewable resources such as straw, biomass, solar or wind as the input to generate the heat and power (called "trigeneration").

Cogeneration is very popular among colleges and institutions, especially if they have an interconnected network of buildings (with the steam pipe infrastructure). Barriers in the private sector have included high fees charged by power companies to provide stand-by or back up power in case the cogeneration system goes off line. In fact, stand-by fees were cited as the deal breaker for a cogeneration plant that Cuyahoga County was considering for its downtown Cleveland administrative offices.

While a few private cogeneration plants exist in Cleveland (the largest of which is at the Mittal Steel site), no commercial cogeneration plants have been built. Cleveland Thermal Chilled Water Distribution, LLC produces steam and chilled water services at its E. 18th Street and Hamilton and Canal Road plants, and moves it through a network of underground steam pipes. Many of the older downtown buildings pay for its steam heat and chilled water services.

Cleveland Thermal is proposing to build the city's first commercial cogeneration plant at E. 26th Street and Lakeside Avenue. The proposal relies on an agreement to sell and distribute the electricity with a provider such as Cleveland Public Power.  The city of Cleveland might sign on as a partner in the venture. 

"I think that this is a very important energy resource to consider for the health and economic vitality of our region," says Cleveland Sustainability Programs Manager Andrew Watterson.

First, EcoCity Cleveland has agreed to hire a consulting engineer to review Cleveland Thermal's proposal for its environmental best practices and economic feasibility. The consultant's report will be submitted to the city of Cleveland before it makes a recommendation to city-owned Cleveland Public Power.

Resources
MA firm develops combined heat and power for homes