Cogeneration: full steam ahead

Wide popular support for cogeneration is likely to make it a successful energy option for the 1980s, when alternatives for new centralized generating plants, lower fuel consumption and costs, and lower energy-related air pollution will be needed. Three possible pitfalls for cogeneration are identified: who will control and who will pay for cogeneration technology and which fuels will be used. Those who expect cogeneration to decentralize fuel and energy supplies or democratize energy policy will be disappointed because the transnational companies are pioneering the cogeneration movement, often in opposition to the utilities. Small utility users will suffer higher rates if larger users leave the power grid in favor of cogeneration. This can be avoided by offering industrial users lower rates, but the cost would be lower energy efficiency. Others suggest that large utilities sell off their excess generating equipment, which may not be feasible. Mideast oil and synthetic fuels are the most likely fuels for cogeneration, but air quality will suffer with an increase of urban oil-fired or coal-fired units. Natural gas, followed by methane from biogas plants will be less polluting.