Co-Generation in Arid and Cool Climates: A New Unified Perspective Using Exergy Analysis

Abstract

Co-generation plants are the norm in the arid climates of the Middle East, producing electricity and fresh water from the sea. In cool climates such as that of the United Kingdom combined heat and power, and district heating are under reappraisal. An attempt is made in the paper to use exergy theory to generate a new unified sense of proportion for these forms of co-generation. From the new perspective springs a realization of the benefits to network operation and investment which would flow from the development of a range of large vapour compressor heat pumps. Doubt is cast on a concept, in current use, known as the ‘fuel utilization’ or ‘energy efficiency’. In the Middle East the concept has distorted co-generation system operation theory and capital investment principles. In United Kingdom documentation an unjustified aura of efficiency is ascribed to district heating, and condensing plants are wrongly denigrated. The paper is an attempt to propagate ideas. Realization of those ideas is in the references or is deferred for later papers. It is important that qualitative thinking is correct before quantification begins.