DEQ Combined Heat & Power/Distributed Energy Resources Pages
Distributed energy resources (DER) refers to the decentralized generation of electric power in small to medium sized facilities near sites of power demand, in contrast to large centralized electrical generating plants. DER facilities can often incorporate recovery of useful heat energy (combined heat and power--CHP) for space, water, and process heating as well as to run chillers to provide air conditioning and refrigeration.
DER offers a means to improve energy efficiency by reducing power transmission losses and allowing use of otherwise wasted byproduct heat. (Click here for discussion and illustration of CHP efficiency and air emission advantages.) It can take advantage of biogases that are often flared away at landfills, wastewater treatment works, and other facilities. These can yield cost savings. DER can enhance power reliability and quality for operations that are highly sensitive to power outages and fluctuations, such as data centers, communications facilities, high technology manufacturing, health care, emergency services, and defense, among others.
Improved energy efficiency and new low emissions technologies, such as advanced gas turbines, microturbines, fuel cells, and renewable sources, offer great environmental advantages. Among them, reduced emissions of air pollutants and carbon dioxide as well as reduced impacts of fuel production. Furthermore, DER can potentially mitigate stresses to the electric grid from generation and transmission constraints.
In 2004 DEQ completed a State Energy Program Special Project that examined administrative and regulatory barriers to CHP and DER in Virginia. DEQ gratefully acknowledges financial support for the project from the U.S. Department of Energy and the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy--Division of Energy.
Proceed to project materials and presentations.
Proceed to DER/CHP resources and links or to particular link categories: