Recent data highlights the importance of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) systems to the operations of the paper industry. In the United States, a total of 228 sites - including pulp and paper, paperboard, corrugated and packaging mills, utilize CHP to control costs, increase efficiency, enhance reliability and support environmental sustainability goals. Collectively, these 228 CHP systems represent over 11,700 MW of generating capacity, which accounts for about 17.5 percent of installed industrial CHP capacity.

This presentation will provide a detailed look at the overall status of the CHP market and the specific opportunities and benefits of CHP to the paper industry. Information will be provided that focuses on the logistical, technical and financial considerations of a CHP system. 

 
Some logistical factors include:

* What are the key qualitative factors that make installation of CHP a solid investment;
* What are the benefits of CHP over traditional non-centralized generation of steam and power;
* How existing infrastructure can be used to support the CHP system;
* What are the permitting implications of adding a CHP system; and
* How to quantify the environmental benefits.

Some of the key technical considerations that will be discussed are:

* What would be the proper size of the system;
* How would a CHP system impact peak electric demand;
* What technology is best for a particular facility; i.e., a boiler/steam turbine, a combustion turbine, reciprocating engine, etc.;
* What fuel options will need to be considered to sustain long-term operations - should it be biomass, natural gas, both; and
* Can a CHP system be sized to sell excess power back to the utility power grid (and can this be done).

Some of the financial considerations include:

* Approximate costs to install a site-based CHP system;
* CHP system operational and maintenance costs;
* Quantifying the economic benefits of CHP (i.e., from increased energy efficiency and enhanced reliability and resiliency); and
* What are the expected investment paybacks or ROI.

The presentation will also include a discussion of the services and technical assistance offered through the USDOE Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnerships (CHP TAPs). Through the CHP TAPs, the USDOE offers no-cost and/or low-cost services from qualification screenings and feasibility studies to third party reviews of proposals and engineering documents.