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Self-Assessment

Select where your organization currently operates and where you want to get to. There is no obligation to reach "Leading Org." — choose the target that is right for your business context and investment capacity.

📍 Current Level
🎯 Target Level
Select your current and target levels above to map your assessment on this initiative.
Fundamental
Market Standard
Above Average
Leading Org.

Technology

  • Reciprocating engine CHP (50 kW–10 MW) for combined electricity and heat generation
  • Waste heat recovery from engine exhaust and jacket water for space or process heating

Process

  • Conducting a CHP feasibility study assessing thermal and electric load coincidence
  • Evaluating utility interconnection requirements and standby rate exposure
  • Identifying optimal CHP sizing to maximize operating hours and heat utilization

Financing

  • Internal capital with 3–7 year payback depending on utility rate and heat displacement
  • EPA Combined Heat and Power Partnership resources accessed for technical and financial guidance
  • State CHP incentive programs and utility demand reduction credits applied

Technology

  • Fundamental Technologies +
  • Gas turbine CHP for larger facilities (1–50 MW) with higher heat-to-power ratio
  • Absorption chiller using waste heat from CHP to provide cooling (trigeneration)
  • Thermal storage integrated with CHP to extend heat utilization beyond simultaneous load

Process

  • Optimizing CHP dispatch to maximize offset of grid peak pricing and demand charges
  • Establishing heat rate, electrical efficiency, and emissions performance monitoring
  • Evaluating transition pathway to hydrogen or RNG fuel blend to lower Scope 1 emissions

Financing

  • Project finance with long-term energy services agreement (ESA) for zero-upfront deployment
  • FERC Order 2222 and state programs enabling CHP to participate in demand response markets

Technology

  • Market Standard Technologies +
  • RNG or hydrogen-blended fuel supply reducing CHP Scope 1 combustion emissions
  • Fuel cell CHP (phosphoric acid or molten carbonate) for ultra-high efficiency and near-zero NOx
  • CHP integrated with onsite solar, storage, and microgrid controller

Process

  • Transitioning CHP to operate primarily on RNG or hydrogen to achieve near-zero Scope 1 intensity
  • Integrating CHP into demand response and VPP programs as dispatchable generation asset
  • Evaluating CHP as anchor generation for islanded microgrid during grid outages

Financing

  • RNG supply contract structured to monetize D3 RINs and LCFS credits offsetting fuel premium
  • Bundled CHP, solar, and storage financing as integrated campus energy infrastructure

Technology

  • Above Average Technologies +
  • 100% green hydrogen or RNG-fueled CHP achieving near-zero Scope 1 operational emissions
  • Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) CHP with 60%+ electrical efficiency and carbon capture ready
  • CHP as cornerstone of fully islanded zero-carbon campus or industrial microgrid

Process

  • Publishing verified near-zero lifecycle emissions from CHP with certified fuel provenance
  • Operating CHP as grid-balancing resource providing frequency regulation and capacity
  • Integrating CHP heat into district energy system serving adjacent community or industrial cluster

Financing

  • 45V green hydrogen credit or RNG RIN revenue monetized to fully offset fuel cost premium
  • Long-term energy services agreement bundling CHP, renewables, and storage with performance guarantee

Related Pathways

← All Pathways 1.2.4 Renewable / Biogas 2.2.4 Microgrid