A CHP system is a sizable investment and because of this, the specification process is of great importance here. Mistakes at this stage can be costly.

Top 10 Tips - the golden rules for specifying a CHP system for your project - may help you through this process:

1. Know your annual heat and power requirement. CHP is ideal for buildings requiring heat and power together for more than 4000 hours a year.
2. Know your electrical load profile. It is more important to understand the base load profile rather than the mean or peak. This will ensure the system runs efficiently.
3. Know your heat demand in kW and in °C. CHP configurations vary widely according to the amount of heat required - and the temperature it is required at. Some engine manufacturers offer engines with much higher jacket heat recovery temperatures than others.
4. Know how much your currently pay for heat generation using gas or oil and electrical power without CHP. By knowing your current billing figures, you can produce a precise cost comparison demonstrating the potential savings to be made from each CHP system.
5. If in doubt, then undersize. A CHP that is too large for the application won't save money, whereas a CHP that is too small will - although slightly less than it otherwise could.
6. Understand lifecycle cost. The cheapest CHP solution identified during the procurement process will not necessarily be the cheapest to run over a period of time.
7. Track record. There are many existing CHP systems which under-perdorm, so look for a supplier with a good track record.
8. Purchase an operations and maintenance service contract. Buy O&M contract at the same time as the installation, this will guarantee the system's perdormance.
9. Listen to the supplier. To offer a product which performs well and is cost effective, reputable suppliers understand where money needs to be sent - and where economies can be made. Be wary of specifications prepared by anyone who does not own, operate or maintain CHPs.
10. Know which renewable payments you can apply for. The viability of CHP can vary greatly according to these payments.

CATERPILLAR IS WITH YOU FOR A LONG RUN!

Your biogas energy project will last for many years and you need a reliable partner. Only Caterpillar has been around the industry from the start - and will be with you for the duration. Let us show you how to turn a "waste" gas into one of your greatest asset.