Micro-combined heat and power in residential and light commercial applications

The cogeneration is worldwide considered as the major option to achieve considerable energy saving with respect to traditional systems. This paper deals with the application of micro-cogeneration (electrical power <15 kW) to small scale (residential and light commercial application) users; the state of art of this technology is considered and an energetic analysis of MCHP system regarding its utilization in conjuction with domestic household appliances is performed. Finally the test facility designed and built to evaluate the performance of micro-CHP system itself is described and the optimum operation mode to match the user’s thermal and electrical loads identified.