Cogeneration in electrical microgrids.

Abstract

Simultaneous generation of electrical and useful thermal energy (hot, cold, or both) is an obvious way to optimize the consumed energy efficiency. In the last decade, cogeneration has had, in a world level, a big deployment, thanks to the use of gas and the fact of taking advantage of biomass and other waste products energetically valuable. However, there are possibilities to extend cogeneration applications by means of new technologies of multiple generation of: electrical power, heat, cold, desalination and/or regeneration of water and chemical products in general.

The priority performances about this context are being centered in the development and researching of a distinguished group of electrical micro-generation technologies, which energetic benefits highlight because of a high global index of efficiency. In this group of advanced technologies Fuel Cells, Stirling Motor and Gas Microturbines are included.