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EngineRoom: CHP and local energy network feasibility tool

The use of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) has huge potential to reduce our carbon
emissions by replacing traditional boilers with engines that create electricity whilst generating heat. Coupled to a local energy network (district heating and private wire for electricity) and managed by an Energy Services Company (ESCo), a CHP engine in a public building is an ideal way of supplying heat and electricity, balancing the daily changes in demand; an important tool in mitigating climate change.

A feasibility study requires you to model the heat and electrical load profiles of the development as well as assess which CHP engine is most suitable. From years of working in the field of sustainable energy, Carbon Descent have developed a tool to undertake feasibility studies and model these engines.

Now called EngineRoom and available for purchase, this software is for use by anyone regularly doing CHP and local energy network feasibility studies for planning applications for single buildings to large developments; such as developers, energy consultants, building services experts, M&E consultants or local authority technical officers. EngineRoom is simple and quick to use and therefore accessible to those with little technical knowledge.

EngineRoom models power, heat, CO2 saving, set up and capital costs and ongoing income from sale of power. It allows you to compare as many different engines and set ups as you want.

The tool will allow you to:

  • Generate or input load profiles for thermal and power demands for a building or buildings
  • Edit various parameters such as
  • fuel prices and energy revenues
  • control strategies
  • CO2 emissions factors
  • capital and maintenance costs
  • Use an inbuilt database of CHP units or define a new CHP unit
  • Model the performance of a CHP unit or combination of more than one CHP unit and thermal store.

Main features are:

  • Simple, easy to follow interface
  • Comprehensive analysis of energy, economic and environmental performance of CHP units.