Benefits from power and heat cogeneration

Abstract

A large fraction of heat production from power sources is wasted in the environment, despite its numerous potential energy uses, for example, district heating, seawater desalination, or hydrogen production. In this paper, we use the MIXOPTIM methodology to evaluate performance indicators of mixes of electric power sources with and without cogeneration of heat to assess the benefits it entails. It appears from the study that the cogeneration option is highly interesting for mixes with a large nuclear share. The case of France is analyzed in detail, with an evaluation of the overall potential of cogeneration in terms of economic competitiveness as well as in terms of greenhouse gas emission reduction.