Introduction to the DOE CHP TAPs – March 2018 SAG Newsletter

Combined heat and power (CHP), or distributed generation, refers to technologies that generate electric power onsite while simultaneously recovering up to 80% of the heat rejected from the power generating equipment for heating, cooling, and / or dehumidification purposes. Instead of purchasing electricity from the distribution grid and burning fuel in an on-site furnace or boiler to produce thermal energy, CHP provides both energy services to a facility in one energy-efficient step. CHP is a suite of commercially available, distributed generation technologies that produce both electricity and thermal energy on-site, thereby reducing line losses and strain on grid infrastructure while also increasing energy efficiency, reliability, and security.

The IFMA Environmental Stewardship Utilities and Sustainability Community (ESUS) has partnered with the Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), a team that supports the Department of Energy’s Upper-West and Southcentral CHP Technical Assistance Programs (TAP) to develop a pilot CHP engagement program that will scale into a robust program for all members. For the initial pilot, ESUS plans to engage:

  • Chapters and members located in: Arkansas, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, and Texas
  • Academic Facilities Council, Data Center Facilities Community, Health Care Institute, Hospitality Council, and Manufacturing, Industrial and Logistics Council

Facility managers are the operators for many buildings in which CHP technologies are suitable. As generation equipment may be required to meet sustainability, resilience, or other requirements, ESUS is dedicated to ensuring that IFMA members are well educated about all options. 

Through this pilot program, IFMA members will gain access to:

  • Technical assistance and engineering support to manufacturing, commercial, institutional, and federal facilities and campuses interested in exploring CHP including no cost project screening and advanced services
  • Engagement with strategic stakeholders, including regulators, utilities and policy makers, to identify and reduce the barriers to using CHP to advance regional efficiency
  • Education, tools and resources. Program overview, Case studies, fact sheets are readily available as well as customized webinars, reports and workshops. 

It is important that real estate and facility management leaders acquire a deeper understanding of technology and obtain the ability to deploy constantly evolving technologies. We are committed to providing IFMA members with relevant information.

For more information, please contact:

Dean Stanberry, ESUS Chair | Gavin Dillingham, DOE Upper-West and Southcentral CHP TAP Director