Chapter 5 LO8 CHP

Question 1

What does CHP stand for?

Answer 1

Combined heat and power

Question 2

State another name for CHP

Answer 2

Co-Generation

Question 3

What are the disadvantages of traditional power plants and their typical efficiencies?

Answer 3

1. Energy loss to surroundings in cooling towers
2. They don’t add value to the electricity process
3. Limited efficiency process of 40%

Question 4

How do CHP plants differ from traditional power plants?

Answer 4

They have and increased production process, reasoning for this is as they use thermal energy from the steam lost to surroundings in cooling towers.

Question 5

State 4 advantages of CHP power plants

Answer 5

1. Efficiency of overall process can exceed 80%
2. The CHP plant is typically located close to the end user and so transmission losses are reduced
3. Carbon emissions are reduced as less fuel is required
4. Energy bills can be minimised for consumers.

Question 6

The role of combined heat and power in improving energy efficiencies in traditional power plants

Answer 6

Steam which is usually condensed into hot water is instead sent to heat local homes in district heating networks. They also make thermal energy in the steam which is lost to the surroundings in the cooling towers of traditional power plants.