Combined Heat and Power, or CHP as it is commonly known, is the simultaneous generation of heat and electricity. CHP systems vary greatly in size, from power stations down to a small unit for domestic use.

In some European countries such as Denmark, large proportions of the nation's electrical power comes from CHP plants. Small CHP units come under the category of Micro-CHP, a technology that is growing with an increasing number of companies producing units.

The advantages of CHP systems are:

• Efficient use of generated energy by harnessing the heat used to generate electricity
• Reduction or complete coverage of electricity consumption from the National Grid
• Reduction in CO² emissions through efficient energy use
• Wide range of sizes available from domestic to grid capacity

For more information see the following websites:

• www.chpa.co.uk
• www.micropower.co.uk/about/mchp.html