ASHRAE Journal - November 2022 - 39

FEATURE
FIGURE 4. CHP's evolving role as the grid decarbonizes. A conservative natural gas CHP net electric CO2 emissions
rate is shown, with two scenarios (net zero grid by 2035 [red line] and net zero grid by 2050 [orange line]) for decreasing
marginal grid emissions rates. Grid emissions are shown to decrease linearly for both scenarios. The time frame (blue/
gray-shaded area) represents the time that natural gas CHP provides emissions savings compared to the grid.
In Summary, CHP Will Have a Role
Surging energy costs are in many respects an expression
of the same phenomenon driving supply-chain
backlogs all over the world. An unexpectedly strong
rebound in demand has run headlong into stagnant
supply. Ultimately, energy costs will stabilize and
reestablish more consistent relationships between
the cost of electricity, natural gas, RNG and eventually
hydrogen.
For the commercial and industrial user, the economic
relationship between electricity cost and natural gas or
RNG will be determined by infrastructure cost to decarbonize
the electric grid, capital cost to electrify on-site
thermal loads and operating cost of electric equipment
versus decreased demand for natural gas and any carbon
fee or tax imposed. In any case, CHP will remain the
most economic and effi cient means to use natural gas
today and conserve RNG, synthetic gas and/or hydrogen
supplies in the future.
Historically, the value of CHP to industrial and commercial
users has been the economic value of effi ciency
and resilience. In the transition to a decarbonized
economy, renewable and zero carbon-fueled CHP can
be a cost-effective alternative to expensive process conversions
to electric technologies, representing an economically
viable path to zero carbon that requires the
least disturbance to existing operations. And no matter
what fuel is used, CHP's inherent effi ciency advantage
can serve to further extend the resource base of that
emerging fuel.
References
1. EIA. 2022. " U.S. Energy Facts Explained. " U.S. Energy
Information Administration. " https://tinyurl.com/bdhru6mc
2. Hibbard, P., C. Wu, H. Krovetz, T. Farrell, J. Landry. 2020.
" Climate Change Impact and Resilience Study-Phase II. " NYISO
by Analysis Group. https://tinyurl.com/22wzu574
3. ICF International. 2020. Combined Heat and Power for
Carbon Emission Reductions National Assessment (2020-2050).
ICF International. http://consortia.myescenter.com/CHP/ESC_
CHP_Emissions-Full_Study-ICF-071320.pdf
4. American Gas Foundation. 2019. " Renewable Sources of
Natural Gas. " American Gas Foundation Study, prepared by ICF.
https://tinyurl.com/3db64cct
5. World Energy Council. 2022. " Regional Insights Into Low
Carbon Hydrogen Scale Up. " p. 4. World Energy Council.
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 2 ashrae.o rg ASHRAE JOURNAL
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https://tinyurl.com/bdhru6mc https://tinyurl.com/22wzu574 http://consortia.myescenter.com/CHP/ESC_CHP_Emissions-Full_Study-ICF-071320.pdf http://consortia.myescenter.com/CHP/ESC_CHP_Emissions-Full_Study-ICF-071320.pdf https://tinyurl.com/3db64cct https://www.ashrae.org/

ASHRAE Journal - November 2022

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