Challenge of packaged cogeneration

Owners of such commercial facilities as office buildings, health clubs, and fast-food restaurants face an increasingly complex decision when they try to lower energy costs. On the one hand, they are being offered small, standardized cogeneration systems that can supply much of a building's electric power while also providing thermal energy for hot water or space conditioning. On the other hand, new, high-efficiency electric equipment is available that can often reduce energy consumption with a much lower investment of capital. EPRI studies indicate that when packaged cogeneration systems are compared with high-efficiency electric alternative, a commercial facility will usually do better with the electric equipment, in terms of meeting its overall needs, says Arnold Fickett, department director for end use in the Energy Management and Utilization Division. But the economics of both types of equipment are highly application-specific. EPRI's aim is to provide utilities with the data and analytical tools they need to help their commercial customers make the comparisons for their own business situations. EPRI is also deeply involved in developing advanced end-use electric technology.