CHP Module Guide
CHP System Design with DER Optimization & EaaS Revenue
The hands-on companion to the CHP Module: how to model a real CHP project end-to-end including DER co-optimization, hydrogen blending, waste-heat capture revenue, and the auto-generated P&ID.
Technology Overview
A modern CHP project is rarely just a prime mover. It is a small distributed-energy system that may include solar PV, battery energy storage (BESS), thermal energy storage (TES), an absorption chiller, and one or more supplemental boilers. Designing it well means co-optimizing the entire stack against the host’s load profile and tariff structure. The CogenS™ CHP Module wraps this co-optimization into a structured workflow.
This guide walks through the same workflow as the live module — from gathering site data through DER optimization, hydrogen-blend evaluation, and Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) revenue modeling. The deliverable is a print-ready technoeconomic analysis (TEA) report with a complete P&ID schematic, ready to take to investors, stakeholders, and permitting authorities.
The CHP Module supports six prime-mover technologies: reciprocating internal-combustion engines (RICE), gas turbines, microturbines, and three fuel-cell types — phosphoric acid (PAFC), solid oxide (SOFC), and molten carbonate (MCFC). Each has a distinct part-load efficiency curve, ramp-rate, minimum part-load ratio, and degradation profile that the simulator respects hour-by-hour.
Module Specs at a Glance
Prime Movers Modeled
RICE, gas turbines, microturbines, PAFC, SOFC, MCFC — 118+ specific manufacturer models from 24 OEMs.
DER Co-Optimization
Joint sizing and dispatch of CHP + Solar PV + BESS + TES. Tabbed workflow with sizing reference plus top-level optimizer.
Hydrogen Blending
Specify a blend ratio per project. The platform maps fuel properties to the prime-mover's combustion model automatically.
Waste-Heat Capture Revenue
EaaS revenue stream from selling steam, hot water, or chilled water (via absorption) to a host facility — flows directly into the financial TEA.
P&ID Diagram
Auto-generated schematic with thermal mains, electric paths, and absorption-chiller branch routing. Updates with each unit you add.
Resilience
Grid-outage hour flagging on TEA report area plots — see when the microgrid is islanding versus drawing from the utility.
How to Design a Project
A high-level workflow that mirrors how the CogenS™ platform structures the analysis end-to-end.
Site information & load profiles
Pick a city from 340+ pre-loaded locations to inherit TMY weather, utility tariffs, and emissions factors. Load an 8,760-hour reference profile for the building type or upload a metered profile. The platform supports separate electric, heating, cooling, and DHW load streams.
Configure utility tariffs
Use the pre-loaded TOU rates, demand charges, and standby fees, or override with the actual utility schedule. Optional: enable the RateAcuity add-on to pull the live current tariff directly from the serving utility's filings.
Run DER optimization
Open the DER Optimization tab and let the optimizer determine the best capacity mix and dispatch strategy across CHP, BESS, TES, and solar PV. The model minimizes lifecycle cost across the load profile and tariff. Use the sizing reference layer to override the optimizer with engineering judgment.
Specify the cogeneration unit(s)
Select a prime-mover technology and pick specific manufacturer models. Configure thermal output type (hot water vs steam vs absorption). Specify hydrogen-blend ratio if relevant. Add a supplemental boiler for peak heating and an absorption chiller branch if cooling-from-heat is part of the design.
Configure EaaS waste-heat revenue (optional)
If the project sells thermal output to a host under an EaaS contract, define the per-MMBtu revenue rate and the contract term. The financial model captures this as a positive cash flow alongside electricity sales and avoided utility costs.
Set financial parameters
Discount rate, study period (5–50 years), inflation, currency, ITC and incentive layers, fuel-price escalation. The platform auto-applies federal ITC, state grants where coded, and utility rebates as defaults — override per project.
Run the simulation and review the TEA report
The simulator runs an 8,760-hour hourly dispatch. The TEA report includes NPV, IRR, payback, energy-cost breakdowns, emissions, multi-vendor comparison tables, the auto-generated P&ID, and grid-outage-flagged area plots. Export print-ready PDF for stakeholders.
Related Guides
CHP Technoeconomic Analysis Guide
Suite-level overview: when CHP makes sense and how to frame the analysis.
Boiler System Design Guide
Most CHP installations need a supplemental boiler — design it correctly.
Cooling Tower Selection Guide
If your CHP uses absorption cooling, the cooling tower sizing matters.
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