Overview

For years, there has been a great deal of talk about household-scale combined heat and power (CHP) systems, but only now are they becoming a commercial reality. Based on Stirling engines and internal combustion engines, today's micro-CHP systems are being sold to homeowners in Europe and Japan. And in some markets, they are already competing effectively with retail-priced electricity. Although most of the commercialization is taking place in Europe and Japan, the North American market offers tantalizing opportunities—particularly in areas with a long heating season.

Because micro-CHP is also a potentially disruptive technology for utilities and heating companies, these organizations need to understand its full potential, see how it is being deployed in early adopter markets, learn about the range of technologies and products available and under development, and develop strategies for capitalizing on this market.

To help them get up to speed, Platts Research & Consulting is launching this study on micro-CHP markets and technologies up to 10-kW in electrical output, including internal combustion engines, Stirling engines, fuel cells, and rankine cycle technology. This study will provide readers with a nuanced understanding of the residential-scale distributed generation markets and technologies that are emerging in Europe, North America, and Japan.

Study Objectives

• What technologies are being offered and developed, and how are they being packaged?
• Why are customers buying micro-CHP products, and how are these products being brought to the market?
• What are the key market, economic, and regulatory requirements for micro-CHP, and what can we learn from international best practices?
• What roles are utilities and heating companies taking in the micro-CHP value chain, and what business models are effective?
• Where are these markets heading?

Deliverables

• A final report
• An interview notebook containing summaries of our interviews with early adopters
• An online library of detailed descriptions of micro-CHP products already on the market or under development, plus descriptions of utility initiatives in the micro-CHP area
• A live conference call to discuss study findings and the implications they have for subscribing businesses

For more information, please contact:

Platts Research & Consulting
3333 Walnut Street
Boulder, CO 80301-2515
Tel 303-444-7788
Fax 720-548-0022
E-mail prcinfo@platts.com
Web www.microchp.platts.com

For European inquiries, contact:

Jon Slowe
Research Manager, E Source Distributed Energy Service
Tel U.K. 44-141-946-2262
E-mail jon_slowe@platts.com