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Micro cogen for homes: Honda, climate energy system under development for home heat and power; 15,000 in Japan

Diesel Progress North American Edition, August, 2005 by Mike Osenga

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The combined heat and power means that the fuel normally used to keep a home warm is used twice, first to produce electric power and then to heat the home. Electric power is generated whenever heat is produced to satisfy normal space or water heating demands in the home.

During the winter when the heating demand is at a peak, the engine's heat output is augmented by operating the furnace or boiler. The heating system has two stages, with the engine being stage one, and the furnace or boiler being stage two. The goal is to operate the engine, with its modest heat output, close to 100% of the time throughout the heating season in order to maximize electricity production.

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When heat demand increases beyond what can be supplied by the engine, the larger capacity furnace or boiler kicks in to provide the balance. In essence, whenever there is a demand for heat, the engine runs as much as possible, and the furnace or boiler operates as little as possible and only when absolutely necessary:.

Initially the system is seen as being applicable for new and existing home construction, primarily in the Northeastern U.S. The Northeast is being targeted as the system makes the most sense in cold weather areas that need the heat the system can produce.

Also, as the system can interface with and sell power back to the utility, it works best in states with net metering for small-scale cogeneration. There are about 10 such states now, with several in the Northeast. The systems in Japan, an even more highly regulated market, were sold and installed through a natural gas utility.

More long term, beyond about 2009, the system is seen for both new home construction and retrofitting to existing homes in any area with moderate to high heating loads, essentially the northern half of the U.S.

Honda and Climate Energy stressed that the prototype systems being installed this year are needed to verify product safety/performance, as well as allowing time to train installers and supervise early installations for quality control.

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Manufacturing Industry

Micro cogen for homes: Honda, climate energy system under development for home heat and power; 15,000 in Japan

Diesel Progress North American Edition, August, 2005 by Mike Osenga

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