Cogeneration potential in Canada : Phase 2

Combined heat and power is most often called cogeneration. It consists in the simultaneous production of electrical and thermal energy using a single fuel. Significant gains in terms of energy efficiency can be obtained by using the heat rejected from one process in the production of the other. Cogeneration accounts for merely 6 per cent of national electricity generation in Canada. Low energy prices and electric utility policies on the provision of backup power, and the sale of surplus electricity have combined to explain this low penetration in Canada especially when one compares to the situation in Europe. The pulp and paper and chemical products sectors are two examples of industrial sectors that have adopted cogeneration. The types and conditions of cogeneration, installed cogeneration capacity in Canada and the cogeneration potential under various conditions were all explored and the results included in this report. Five scenarios were studied and provided estimates of the total technical and total achievable potential for cogeneration, in addition to the cogeneration potential generated by the Canadian Integrated Modelling System (CIMS). It was determined that enough electricity could be generated to meet approximately 80 per cent of Canada's demand in electricity if we assumed all heat loads in industrial, commercial/institutional and residential sectors can be met with cogeneration technologies with low heat to power ratio. It seems safe to say that we could provide 30 per cent of current electricity needs with cogeneration. Heat, one of the products of cogeneration, cannot be distributed, explaining why cogeneration is not considered as an option in the supply sector. 16 refs., 12 tabs., 1 fig.