Combined Heat and Power + District Heating & Cooling
Cogeneration, also known as Combined Heat and Power (CHP), and District Heating and Cooling (DHC) represent a proven and cost-effective series of technologies that deliver electricity, heating and cooling at high efficiency where it is needed - in industries, in towns/cities and in buildings of all sizes.
Cogeneration can take many forms and encompasses a range of technologies, but will always be based upon an efficient, integrated system that combines electricity production and a heat recovery system. By using the heat output from the electricity production for heating or industrial applications, cogeneration plants generally convert 75 to 80% of the fuel source into useful energy, while the most modern cogeneration plants reach efficiencies of 90% or more. Cogeneration plants also reduce transmission and distribution losses as they are sited near the end user.
Challoch Energy draws on 30 years of experience working in this area from early contributions to policy making in the UK and Europe to practical involvement in projects. With a thorough understanding of CHP technologies and heat and power supply, Challoch is able to manage projects from the pre-feasibility modelling stage right through to coordination of tenders and overseeing of implementation.
Energy Efficiency
Making homes, vehicles, and businesses more energy efficient is one solution to addressing global warming, energy security, and fossil fuel depletion.
Energy efficiency has proved to be a cost-effective strategy for building economies without necessarily growing energy consumption. Still, efficiency often has taken a secondary position to new power generation and end of pipe technologies as a solution to global warming in creating national energy policies.
In Europe there is a significant potential for:
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Lowering energy bills
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Reducing the reliance on external suppliers of oil and gas
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Helping protect the environment
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Curtailing industrial energy consumption (thus gaining in competitiveness)
Challoch Energy’s work in this area stems from participation in the very early days of Energy Efficiency Best Practice Programme in the UK in addition to contributing to numerous Directives and Action Plans (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, Energy Efficiency Action Plan, End Use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive). Technically, Challoch has extensive experience in domestic, commercial and industrial applications in heating systems, heat pumps, steam, motors and drives, insulation and lighting.
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy technologies, a critical element of the low-carbon pillar of global energy supply, are rapidly gaining ground, providing an estimated 19.3% of global final energy consumption in 2015 and continuing to grow. In 2016, renewables accounted for an estimated nearly 62% of net additions to global power generating capacity.1 1Renewables 2017 - Global Status Report
Climate change concerns and increasing government support are driving renewable energy legislation, incentives and commercialisation. Challoch Energy has been involved in this evolution, providing input into the Energy Consultative Committee, the EU RES Electricity Directive and the EU RES Heat Initiative in the early days through to the latest renewables elements of the Clean Energy Package. Challoch has also undertaken extensive market research and technology deployment in biomass, biogas and PV opportunities in Europe in addition to assessing the market and economics of micro-wind technologies and cost modelling of geothermal energy, tidal and wave technologies.
Technically, Challoch Energy has worked on numerous renewable projects related to biomass and biogas, solar and PV and hydro technologies. Challoch has worked as owners engineer for a number of PV and biomass projects and has undertaken a large number of due diligence projects for renewable energy funders.
Storage & Grid Flexibility
As renewable energy technologies increase their ability to supply electricity, the need for flexible resources becomes vital to ensure seamless supplies of electricity to the consumer, both at the industrial and domestic levels. The decline in costs of supply as well as the cost of batteries will enable ambitions renewable energy targets to be met and to provide very real competition to fossil fuels.
Challoch Energy’s work on storage includes considering the integration of renewables, storage and diesel generation for island communities, the deployment of storage in energy systems and in residential applications.
Crossover between Energy and Transport
The link between energy and transport is becoming increasingly evident and vital, from the need for electricity for electric vehicles, smart energy distribution across networks, power to gas technologies and storage and transmission systems all working towards increased sustainability of transport systems.
Challoch Energy’s research on Power to Gas has looked in to power to hydrogen and power to methane. Working with large corporate clients has helped these companies develop their strategies. Challoch has also worked on a number of government consultations in this area.