For Business Customers
Using Natural Gas to Reduce Electricity Costs
Go Green - Save Green
Introducing BG/CHP
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) can result in significant savings on the total energy costs while reducing environmental impact.
How it Works
A high-efficiency electrical generator powered by clean burning natural gas is installed at your facility. This not only produces electricity, but nearly all the heat that is created by the generator is captured for your use. It's like having your own utility running at nearly 90% efficiency.
Where it Works
BG/CHP is best suited for larger facilities with a fairly consistent demand for electricity and heat, usually in the form of hot water. Typically the hot water is used for space heating, domestic hot water, laundries, swimming pools or manufacturing processes. It can also be used to make chilled water for air conditioning. CHP is of particular value to our region because of high electrical rates and the lack of suitable conditions for effective renewables.
Saving Money
For the right facility, the potential savings are impossible to ignore: total energy savings could range from 5% to 35%. Berkshire Gas welcomes the opportunity to introduce you to professionals who can present a detailed financial analysis based on your actual energy consumption.
Saving the Environment
Because Combined Heat and Power captures and uses virtually all of the heat produced by the electric generation process, CHP approaches 90% efficiency compared to an average of 48% for a traditional electric generation plant.
Because natural gas is clean burning, DG can reduce CO2 emissions by nearly 50% and dramatically reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide.
Installation Options
There are two basic arrangements for siting CHP.
You can reduce your energy costs without investment of capital. You may contract with a company that owns, installs operates, and maintains the equipment for you. You purchase all the energy provided at a guaranteed discount rate below what you otherwise would have to pay the utility. There is no responsibility for operation and maintenance. However, long-term savings will be less than if you purchase and operate your own equipment.
You may purchase a turnkey installation. You own and maintain the equipment directly. This entails a capital investment and ongoing operating and maintenance expenses, but these costs can be recouped over time through savings on your energy bills. Berkshire Gas will work with you to select the right equipment vendor and may be able to provide rebates or other energy efficiency grants.
Getting Started
If you own or manage a facility with a significant year-round demand for heat, then it may benefit you to explore Distributed Generation. Please contact Bill McGhee at wmcghee@berkshiregas.com or 413-445-0263.
For more information on Distributed Generation, see the Energy Solutions website.
For more information right now, click on any of the following.
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