Biomass Combined Heat And Power Research Articles

Techno-economic analysis of AMP/PZ solvent for CO2 capture in a biomass CHP plant: towards net negative emissions

Compared to conventional monoethanolamine (MEA), alternative solvents are expected to substantially contribute to reduce the energy demand of post-combustion CO2 capture from flue gases. This study presents a comprehensive techno-economic analysis of a 27 wt% 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) + 13 wt% piperazine (PZ) aqueous solution for CO2 capture, compared to a 30 wt% MEA solution. The study addresses the retrofit of a carbon capture unit to a biomass-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plant, effectively making it a bioenergy with a carbon capture and storage (BECCS) system. The treated flue gas has a flow rate of 23 tons/hour (t/h) with 11.54 vol% CO2 and a 90% capture rate is aimed for. Aspen Plus V14 was employed for process simulations. Initially, binary interaction parameters for AMP/PZ, AMP/H2O, and PZ/H2O are regressed using vapor-liquid equilibrium (VLE) data, which were retrieved from literature along with reaction kinetics. Validation of parameters from available experimental literature yields an average absolute relative deviation (AARD) of only 5.9%. Afterwards, a process simulation model is developed and validated against experimental data from a reference pilot plant, using a similar AMP/PZ blend, resulting in 5% AARD. Next, a sensitivity analysis optimizes operating conditions, including solvent rate, absorber/stripper packing heights, and stripper pressure, based on regeneration energy impact. Optimized results, compared to MEA, reveal that AMP/PZ reduces the energy consumption from 3.61 to 2.86 GJ/tCO2. The retrofitting of the capture unit onto the selected CHP plant is examined through the development of a dedicated model. Two control strategies are compared to address energy unavailability for supplying the capture unit. The analysis spans 4 months, selected to account for seasonal variations. At nominal capacity, CO2 emissions, rendered negative by biomass combustion and CO2 capture, reach a maximum of −3.4 tCO2/h compared to 0.36 tCO2/h before retrofitting. Depending on the control strategy and CHP plant operating point, the Specific Primary Energy Consumption for CO2 Avoided (SPECCA) ranges from 4.91 MJ/kgCO2 to 1.76 MJ/kgCO2. Finally, an economic comparison based on systematic methodology reveals a 7.87% reduction in capture cost favoring the AMP/PZ blend. Together, these findings highlight AMP/PZ as a highly favorable alternative solvent.

Study of the differences in collection scope of raw materials of biomass CHP plants caused by regional factors

Combined heat and power (CHP) plants fueled by biomass can collect and utilize waste straw resources in a productive way. This paper considers the impact of regional factors on biomass energy potential and the energy needs of the population, so as to study the differences in construction of biomass CHP plants and the collection scope of raw materials, and proposes evaluating suitability for biomass energy development based on scope of resource collection. Taking five counties in China as its study areas, this paper assesses biomass energy potential. A topology system of biomass CHP plants has been reasonably established in different counties through ArcGIS, the required installed capacity has been calculated according to the number of persons served by such plants. Finally, the collection length and corresponding value range of raw materials of CHP plants along roads has been obtained based on biomass energy potential and energy demand. The result shows that the differences in area, straw yield and biomass fuelization rate depending on regions have a great impact on biomass energy potential, while the residue-to-product ratio of straw and biomass calorific value have less of an impact. When the biomass energy per capita of a region reaches 9.75GJ/person, it is suitable for biomass energy development. The installed capacity in the biomass CHP plant system of each study area is mostly within the scope of 3–59 MW, and the collection length of corresponding biomass resources of such plants along roads is mostly within the scope of 5.09–25.23 km.

The effect of biomass raw material collection distance on energy surplus factor.

The collection radius of biomass raw materials is an important factor affecting the volume of raw materials for energy utilization. At present, it is usually studied based on a single biomass combined heat and power (CHP) plant. However, as the heat transfer threshold of biomass CHP plant is limited, it is necessary to consider the optimal collection radius and biomass raw material allocation under the distribution mode of multiple power plants to improve the overall utilization rate of raw materials. Biomass raw material collection distance threshold (BCDT) refers to the maximum road length between the resource point (that allows the transportation of raw materials to the biomass CHP plant) and the biomass CHP plant. Under the mode of multi-power plant planning, the greater the BCDT is, the more destinations there will be for raw materials to be transported to from the same resource point, and the more flexible the transportation plans and allocation of transportation volumes will be. This also means more raw materials can be ultimately used for energy utilization, which leads to higher transportation cost. Therefore, determining the appropriate BCDT plays a key role in the unified planning of biomass raw materials. Based on the limitation of heat transfer threshold, this paper carries out multi-power plant planning with Fuxin City as the research object. Based on such planning, ArcGIS is used to generate biomass raw material planning schemes with different BCDTs. Then the transportation cost and energy surplus factor (ratio of renewable resource potential to energy demand) of each scheme are calculated and compared. The results show that there is a positive correlation between BCDT and the energy surplus factor. With the increase of BCDT, the growth rate of the energy surplus factor gradually becomes slower. The study also allows to set the utilization threshold of biomass energy utilization capacity and obtain the corresponding BCDT. In order to achieve a higher energy surplus factor, it is recommended that 40km be used as the BCDT when carrying out uniform planning for biomass raw materials. At this time, the utilization of biomass energy utilization capacity is 75%, which can achieve a high degree of energy self-sufficiency and ensure its economic competitiveness.

A techno-economic assessment of CO2 capture in biomass and waste-fired combined heat and power plants – A Swedish case study

The need to reduce global CO2 emissions is urgent and might be facilitated by carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. Sweden has a goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2045. Negative emissions and bio-CCS (BECCS) have been proposed as important strategies to reach this target at the lowest cost. The Swedish district heating sector constitutes a large potential for BECCS, with biogenic point sources of CO2 in the form of combined heat and power (CHP) plants that burn biomass residues from the forest industry. This study analyzes the potential of CO2 capture in 110 existing Swedish biomass or waste-fired CHP plants. Process models of CHP steam cycles give the impacts of absorption-based CCS on heat and electricity production, while a district heating system unit commitment model gives the impact on plant operation and the potential for CO2 capture. The results provide a cost for carbon capture and transport to the nearest harbor by truck: up to 19.3 MtCO2/year could be captured at a cost in the range of 45–125 €/tCO2, corresponding to around 40% of the total fossil fuel-based Swedish CO2 emissions. This would be sufficient to meet a proposed target of 3–10 Mt/year of BECCS by 2045.

GIS-based evaluation of solar and biomass perspectives – Case study of China regions

The spatial distribution of biomass resources is not uniform. At present, the zoning of biomass energy development suitability is primarily based on resource potential, whereas energy demand is ignored as an important factor affecting the degree of local energy self-sufficiency. Under the constraints of high transportation costs, solar energy with low geographical constraints can be a supplementary energy source for biomass despite its instability. Based on the energy utilization potential of solar energy and biomass resources, this paper evaluates the energy surplus factor (ratio of renewable resource potential to energy demand) of each city in the study area, takes meeting the specific energy surplus factor as the construction prerequisites of biomass combined heat and power (CHP) plants, calculates the biomass resource utilization rate and energy surplus factor in the study area under different conditions, and provides zoning suggestions and data reference for the unified planning of biomass CHP plants. The minimum energy surplus factor that is suitable for the development of biomass energy is set as the construction threshold of biomass CHP plants (The construction threshold is the minimum condition for the construction of biomass CHP plants. Only areas where the energy surplus factor reaches the preset construction threshold are allowed to build biomass CHP plants). The results show that the construction threshold is negatively correlated with the utilization rate of biomass resources. When the construction threshold is less than 1.4, the utilization rate of biomass resources decreases rapidly with the increase of the construction threshold; when the construction threshold is greater than 1.4, the utilization rate of biomass resources decreases slowly and tends to be flat. It is suggested that biomass resources should be developed in different regions and in stages, and priority should be given to developing areas with an energy surplus factor greater than 1.4. Areas with an energy surplus factor of 0.3–1.4 are considered secondary development areas, and areas with an energy surplus factor of less than 0.3 are not recommended for development; these can meet 31% and 59% of the total energy demand and reduce 50319380 tons and 180524400 tons carbon emissions so that the limited construction cost can meet higher energy demand and biomass resource utilization.

Economic and Environmental Potential of Large-Scale Renewable Synthetic Jet Fuel Production through Integration into a Biomass CHP Plant in Sweden

The potential of bio-electro-jet fuel (BEJF) production with integration into an existing biomass-based combined heat and power (CHP) facility was investigated. The BEJF is produced via Fischer–Tropsch (F–T) synthesis from biogenic CO2 and H2 obtained by water electrolysis. Techno-economic (TEA)- and life. cycle (LCA)- assessments were performed to evaluate the production cost and environmental impact of the BEJF production route. The BEJF mass fraction reached 40% of the total F–T crude produced. A reduction of 78% in heating demands was achieved through energy integration, leading to an increase in the thermal efficiency by up to 39%, based on the F–T crude. The total production cost of BEJF was in the range of EUR 1.6–2.5/liter (EUR 169–250/MWh). The GWP of the BEJF was estimated to be 19 g CO2-eq per MJ BEJF. The reduction potential in GWP in contrast to the fossil jet baseline fuel varied from 44% to more than 86%. The findings of this study underline the potential of BEJF as a resource-efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally benign alternative for the aviation sector. The outcome is expected to be applicable to different geographical locations or industrial networks when the identified influencing factors are met.

Potential Impact of Biomass Cogeneration Plants on Achieving Climate Neutrality of BIH until 2050

The paper analyzes the potential of Biomass Combined Heat and Power (BCHP) plants in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) in achieving climate neutrality until 2050. Two scenarios for reducing GHG emissions from the power generation sector in BiH until 2050 were developed. Scenarios were developed using LEAP, a software tool for energy policy analysis and climate change mitigation assessment. The complete final energy consumption and existing primary energy mix in BiH were included. Both scenarios imply a significant reduction in electricity generation from coal-fired power plants (CFPP). The first scenario (S1) involves the construction of a substitute CFPP unlike the second scenario in which there is no construction of a new CFPP, but part of the reduction in electricity generation from the CFPPs is compensated by BCHPs. The second scenario (S2) achieves a significantly higher reduction in GHGs emissions and provides an answer to the question of how much wood biomass is needed for the operation of BCHP for enabling the decarbonization of the power generation sector by 2050. S1 also represents a step toward reducing GHG emissions. Emissions from power generation in 2030 are about 60% lower than in 2015, i.e. by closing part of the existing CFPPs fleet, while in 2050 GHG emissions will be reduced by 12.26 million tons of CO2eq compared to 2015. The main advantage of S2 is the gradual phase-out of CFPPs and construction of BCHPs, which means incomparably lower GHG emissions, negligible in 2050, representing a key argument for the deployment of biomass potential for power generation. The technical potential of unused wood biomass in BiH is 7.44 PJ annually or 620,620 t annually. These quantities would be sufficient for the levels of electricity production in Scenario 2 by 2035. After that, the existing available technical potential is not enough. This means that BiH needs to increase biomass production and its technical potential to enable the implementation of that scenario.

CO2 Storage in Logging Residue Products with Analysis of Energy Production Scenarios

Abstract Woody logging residues produced by logging activities are currently an underutilised resource that is mainly burned for energy production or left in the forest to decay, thus releasing CO2 into the atmosphere. This resource could be used to manufacture long-lasting products and store a significant amount of CO2, promoting CO2 valorisation in rural areas. In this study, potential use for logging residues is proposed – the production of low-density wood fibreboard insulation panels. The new material’s potential properties, manufacturing method and combined heat and power (CHP) plant parameters were proposed. The potential climate benefits of the new product were analysed using various biogenic carbon accounting methods. As energy production for manufacturing can be a significant source of emissions, possible energy production scenarios were analysed for manufacturing the product. However, an economically and environmentally viable energy production scenario should be chosen. By conducting a multi-criteria analysis, three possible energy production scenarios were analysed – wood biomass CHP plant, a natural gas CHP plant and a standalone wood biomass combustion plant combined with Solar photo-voltaic (PV) panels. The scenarios were analysed in terms of technological, economic, and environmental performance to determine the best strategy in this case.

Energetic and Exergetic Performances of a Retrofitted, Large-Scale, Biomass-Fired CHP Coupled to a Steam-Explosion Biomass Upgrading Plant, a Biorefinery Process and a High-Temperature Heat Network

This paper aims at assessing the impact of retrofitting an existing, 730 MWe, coal-fired power plant into a biomass-fired combined heat and power (CHP) plant on its energetic and exergetic performances. A comprehensive thermodynamic model of the power plant was developed and validated against field data, resulting in less than 1% deviation between the model and the measurements for the main process parameters. The validated model was then used to predict the behaviour of the biomass CHP after retrofitting. The modelled CHP unit is coupled to a steam-explosion biomass upgrading plant, a biorefinery process, and a high-temperature heat network. 13 scenarios were studied. At constant boiler load, delivering heat to the considered heat clients can increase the total energy efficiency of the plant from 44% (electricity only) to 64%, while the total exergy efficiency decreases from 39% to 35%. A total energy efficiency of 67% could be reached by lowering the network temperature from 120∘C to 70∘C. Identifying the needed heat clients could, however, represent a limiting factor to reach such high efficiencies. For a constant power demand, increasing the boiler load from 80 to 100% in order to provide additional heat makes the total energy efficiency increase from 43% to 55%, while the total exergy efficiency decreases from 39% to 36%.

Flexibility from Combined Heat and Power: A Techno-Economic Study for Fully Renewable Åland Islands

As energy systems globally are transitioning into renewable energy, simultaneous targets of high self-sufficiency have led to complex system design proposals. While conventional technology solutions would reduce the complexity in theory, limitations in the potential outcome may exist. To address this dilemma, the work quantified the systemic value provided by a conventional solution; biomass combined heat and power (CHP) production, in terms of economic feasibility, provided flexibility and energy self-sufficiency. The analysis focused on the renewable energy integration of the Åland Islands, where the synergetic island energy system is heavily increasing the wind power capacity. While considering local fuel resource availability, multiple alternative energy system scenarios were constructed. To evaluate the scenarios, the work developed and validated a combined dispatch and investment optimization model. The results showed that the studied conventional approaches limited the achievable self-sufficiency in the power sector (80.6%), however, considerably increasing the value from the present state (18.5%). Second, compared to previous studies, the results indicated a low value from biomass CHP in the wind-based energy system. Instead, the combination of high wind capacity and power-to-heat enabled the best economic feasibility and high self-sufficiency, which could be further improved by lower electricity taxation.

Assessing the Cost of Biomass and Bioenergy Production in Agroindustrial Processes

This paper presents bioenergy value chain modelling to estimate the biomass and bioenergy cost of production and biomass netback in combined heat and power (CHP) systems. Modelling compares biomass cost and netback to analyse the feasibility of CHP systems, as well as the internal rate of return (IRR) and payback period (PBP). Models are implemented into the IMP Bio2Energy® software (Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, Mexico City, Mexico) for practical application and demonstrated for bioenergy generation in the agroindustrial processes of tequila production, coffee and orange processing using as biomass the agave bagasse, coffee pulp and orange peels coproducts, respectively. Results show that the CHP systems are economically feasible, i.e., biomass cost of production is lower than netback, PBP between 3 and 4 years and IRR > 20%. The cost of bioenergy is lower than the cost of fuel oil and grid electricity being replaced. The sensitivity analysis for boiler steam pressure showed that there is an optimal pressure for coffee pulp (40 bar), a threshold pressure for orange (60 bar) and agave bagasse (70 bar). Sensitivity to biomass input indicated a maximum capacity where economy of scale does not produce any improvement in the indicators. Results demonstrate the usefulness of the modelling approach and IMP Bio2Energy® in analysing biomass CHP systems.

Optimal Design of Biomass Combined Heat and Power System Using Fuzzy Multi-Objective Optimisation: Considering System Flexibility, Reliability, and Cost

The increase in global energy demands has led to the need for efficient decarbonisation systems to produce renewable energy. One example of such system is the biomass combined heat and power (CHP) system. Biomass CHP systems have been gaining a lot of attention in the past few years. However, the variations of energy demand and biomass supply have created a challenge in synthesising flexible and reliable yet cost-effective biomass CHP systems. A system with high flexibility and reliability requires additional equipment that perform the same functions. The addition of equipment though, would increase the total cost of a biomass CHP system. In this respect, it is a challenge to synthesise a biomass CHP design with high flexibility, high reliability, and low cost. In this paper, a multi-objective fuzzy optimisation model was developed to synthesise the optimal design of the biomass CHP considering the system cost, flexibility, and reliability. Inspired by the reliability importance concept, this work expressed reliability linearly, unlike the complex and non-linear expressions developed in the past. Moreover, the changes of equipment performance under varying loads known as partial load performance is also considered. To demonstrate the proposed approach, a case study was conducted. The objective of the case study was to synthesise a CHP system using biomass from palm oil and wood mills as feed. Several scenarios with different power demand were solved to study the model performance. Additionally, the proposed linear model is compared with a model with non-linear expressions.

A renewable energy scenario for a new low carbon settlement in northern Italy: Biomass district heating coupled with heat pump and solar photovoltaic system

In the framework of the building sector de-carbonization, the case of a new nearly zero-energy district, located in the Milan urban area (Italy), is presented. In particular, the scope of the work is to demonstrate that the proposed energy concept, based on the combination of low-energy building design and high-efficiency technical systems, allows the reduction of the final energy uses. After the evaluation of the energy needs, a low-temperature and small-size wood biomass district thermal plant was designed to be integrated with groundwater heat pumps (GWHP) and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, taking up the challenge to design an almost full-renewable urban district by means of a Multi-Energy System. The core is a biomass boiler coupled with a small combined heat and power (CHP) unit with a twin-screw steam expander (TSSE). The heat produced by the CHP satisfies a consistent fraction of space heating and domestic hot water (DHW) needs during the winter season. GWHPs coupled with PV satisfy remaining thermal needs in winter and the entire thermal needs in mid-season and in the summer period. The obtained outcomes prove the benefits of the combination of a wood biomass CHP with GWHPs and PV with a significant share of renewable energies. • Provide an overview of the evolution of district heating networks. • Propose a solution for energy decarbonization of new settlements. • Show how biomass CHP, PV systems and heat pumps may be successfully integrated. • Propose an effective control strategy to enhance local-RES self-consumption.

Impact of a cold-village merger plan on the Investment Cost and Energy Utilization Ratio of Biomass Combined Heat and Power Plants

China is rapidly developing in terms of urbanization; thus, to address the decline in agriculture caused by the outflow of village populations, it is imperative that a village merger plan be implemented. Such a plan would be beneficial in terms of re-evaluating the scale and quantity of biomass combined heat and power (CHP) plants and how these feature in the village merger planning process; it would also assist in researching the investment costs and energy utilization ratios of biomass CHP plants, optimizing the energy consumption structure, and promoting sustainable development processes. By undertaking a typical case study, we obtain a series of universal strategies. Predicting the extent of urbanization is useful in determining village abandonment—in which populations from relocated villages redistribute to other villages—while new towns are simultaneously built in sparsely populated north-western areas for relocated individuals. By comparing analysed data pertaining to the construction of 15 biomass CHP plants before the village merger plan and those pertaining to the centralized construction of a single biomass CHP plant after the village merger plan, we find that investing in a single, centralized biomass CHP plant saves RMB 649 million, compared to investing in 15 decentralized plants. Additionally, by building a single plant, 85,983.51 tons of straw can be saved annually, which represents a value of RMB 21.4959 million.

Competitive priorities to address optimisation in biomass value chains: The case of biomass CHP

Policy and industry decision makers place high priority on the contribution of biomass to the emerging low carbon, circular economy. Optimisation of performance, from the perspectives of environmental, social and economic sustainability and resource efficiency, is essential to successful development and operation of biomass value chains. The complexity of value chains, which comprise interrelated stages from land use to conversion and multiple end products, presents challenges.To date, decision makers have approached from the viewpoints of single market sectors or issues, such as market shares of bioeconomy and reduction of carbon emissions to mitigate climate change. This approach does not achieve a full understanding of value chains and their competitive priorities, limits consumer awareness, and poses risks of sub-optimal performance and under-development of potential local capacity.This paper presents a conceptual framework that combines value chain analysis and competitive priority theory with indicators suitable to measure, monitor and interpret sustainability and resource efficiency at value chain level. The case of biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is used to illustrate how optimisation strategies can be focused to address challenges in value chain stages which will lead to better performance and uptake of sustainably sourced, widely accepted biomass options.

Steam storage systems for flexible biomass CHP plants - Evaluation and initial model based calculation

Within the present study a novel concept for the demand-oriented power generation of a solid-biomass fueled combined heat and power (CHP) plant is investigated. The integration of a novel steam storage system into the plants process enables a decoupling of the steam (boiler) and the power generation (steam turbine). By buffering the steam, the power output of the turbine can be adjusted without changing the rated thermal capacity of the plant. The storage system consist of combination of steam accumulator and concrete storage. An initial model based simulation study is performed to identify the fundamental behavior of this system, integrated in a biomass CHP plant. The operation principle has proved their technical feasibility and seems to be applicable at a commercial scale. According to the modelling results flexible short term power generation in a time range from 15 min to several hours is applicable. A load-range of almost the plant's rated capacity can be achieved. The properties of the proposed concept are competitive to available energy storage systems.

A systematic decision analysis approach to design biomass combined heat and power systems

Designing a biomass combined heat and power (CHP) system that fulfils uncertain energy demands is a challenging task. This task becomes increasingly complex when historical data and probability distributions are not well defined. This work presents a newly developed decision analysis design framework for biomass CHP system which considers three types of decision-makers, namely optimistic, pessimistic and cautious decision-makers. To illustrate the proposed framework, a palm-based biomass CHP case study is solved. In addition, sensitivity analysis is performed to evaluate the effect of Feed-in Tariff (FiT) rates towards the design of CHP system. The optimum biomass CHP design is then further analysed to determine the “must-have”, “optional” and “must-avoid” equipment within a given range of power demand. The proposed decision analysis design framework enables decision makers to make informed decisions.

Effects of population density of a village and town system on the transportation cost for a biomass combined heat and power plant

Combined heat and power (CHP) generation can meet winter heating demands. Therefore, biomass CHP plants are more suitable for the development of biomass energy in village and town systems in cold regions. Transportation cost is one of the factors that determine operating costs. In this study, potential biomass energy is estimated based on the distribution of various types of crops. The locations and service areas of biomass CHP plants are determined using geographic information system analysis tools based on population distribution and energy demand data. Equations that contain multiple interference factors are used to calculate the raw material supply area and transportation cost for a biomass CHP plant to generate an optimal transportation route within a region. The analysis results show that biomass CHP plants are only suitable for village and town systems with a relatively low population density (PD). The curve of the supply area versus the PD of the village and town system (PDVTS) has an inverse-S shape. The transportation cost increases exponentially as the PDVTS increases. Biomass CHP plants can achieve higher efficiency in transportation costs when built in areas with a PDVTS ≤ 65 people/km2.

Optimization under uncertainty of a biomass-integrated renewable energy microgrid with energy storage

Abstract Deterministic constrained optimization and stochastic optimization approaches were used to evaluate uncertainties in biomass-integrated microgrids supplying both electricity and heat. An economic linear programming model with a sliding time window was developed to assess design and scheduling of biomass combined heat and power (BCHP) based microgrid systems. Other available technologies considered within the microgrid were small-scale wind turbines, photovoltaic modules (PV), producer gas storage, battery storage, thermal energy storage and heat-only boilers. As an illustrative example, a case study was examined for a conceptual utility grid-connected microgrid application in Davis, California. The results show that for the assumptions used, a BCHP/PV with battery storage combination is the most cost effective design based on the assumed energy load profile, local climate data, utility tariff structure, and technical and financial performance of the various components of the microgrid. Monte Carlo simulation was used to evaluate uncertainties in weather and economic assumptions, generating a probability density function for the cost of energy.

Integration of heat storage system into district heating networks fed by a biomass CHP plant

Biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plants connected to district heating networks (DHN) are recognized as a very good opportunity to increase the share of renewable sources into energy systems. However, as CHP plants are not optimized for electricity production, their operation is profitable only if a sufficient heat demand is available throughout the year. On the other hand, these plants often work for baseline operations and back-up boilers are used to supply the peak demand. To extend the use of the CHP plants and reduce costs, conventional fuel use and emissions, it is proposed to study the feasibility of using the DHN itself or additional high temperature heat storage as retrofit of an existing CHP plant.This work is based on a simple and effective methodology that provides accurate estimations of economic, environmental and energetic performances of CHP plants connected to district heating networks. The focus is performed on the integration of the heat storage as retrofit of existing DHN considering the local policies.The DHN of the University in Liège (Belgium) is used as an application framework to demonstrate the effectiveness of the selected approach. The potential energy, pollutant emissions savings and resulting energy costs are estimated and the current policy limitations will be discussed.