About: cogeneration

Making electricity rules fit for the integrated energy system of the future

When adopting new rules for Europe’s electricity market, EU policymakers shouldn’t lose sight of the bigger picture which involves an increasingly integrated energy system with multiple links between electricity, heat and gas, writes Hans Korteweg.

Energy efficiency: Getting the full picture

The Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), adopted in 2012 and currently under review, has been a key milestone to help deliver energy savings in Europe. But the reality is that we are not there yet in terms of primary energy savings, writes Hans Korteweg.

US bets on cogeneration as Europe lags behind

President Barack Obama's recent decision to set binding targets for the proliferation of cogeneration plants by 2020 is casting a doubt on the level of ambition of the EU's green agenda.

Cogeneration chief: Energy efficiency bill is ‘a missed opportunity’

The EU's Energy Efficiency Directive, which has entered its final stages of negotiation, has missed the opportunity to give the cogeneration industry the incentives it needs to attract investors, according to Fiona Riddoch, managing director at COGEN Europe.

Heat and power experts: EU energy policies overlook heat losses

EU energy strategies are currently overlooking significant energy savings that could be achieved with an integrated approach that allows the use of waste heat, according to Fiona Riddoch, managing director of Cogen Europe, and Sabine Froning, managing director of Euroheat&Power. They spoke to EURACTIV ahead of their joint annual conference today (2 June).

EU energy strategies ‘overlook heat losses’

EU energy strategies are currently overlooking significant energy savings that could be achieved with an integrated approach that allows the use of waste heat, according to Fiona Riddoch, managing director of Cogen Europe, and Sabine Froning, managing director of Euroheat&Power. They spoke to EURACTIV ahead of their joint annual conference today (2 June).

Carbon trading ‘stifling EU energy-savings potential’

The EU's emissions trading scheme has so far failed to deliver any reductions in CO2 emissions while at the same time strangling energy-efficiency investment in the electricity sector, according to a former European Commission official. 

Combined heat and power generation (CHP)

Cogeneration was first promoted at EU level in a Green Paper on security of energy supply published in November 2000. The paper argued that if the EU's share of cogeneration, which only accounted for 11% of total electricity production in the EU in 1998, were to be increased to 18% by 2010, the ensuing savings could amount to 3-4% of total gross consumption in the EU 15.

Refiners turn to cogeneration to fulfil climate obligations

With energy representing up to 50% of operational costs, oil refineries are increasingly looking for opportunities to invest in energy efficiency, with combined heat and power production representing an important part of the solution.

MEP advocates greater role for cogeneration in ‘energy showdown’

Speaking at a 9 May stakeholder conference on cogeneration, Green MEP Claude Turmes called on the EU to make co-generation a cornerstone of its future energy policy and efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. 

Analysis: What is the importance of cogeneration?

The 2004 Directive on cogeneration urges EU member states to exploit their potential for combined production of heat and electricity (cogeneration). Eckhard Schulze (Energie-Fakten) explains the pros and cons of this energy-saving technique, and casts light on its most meaningful applications and most promising prospects.

Cogeneration Directive through: Council adopts compromise text

Backing the deal hammered out with Parliament, Council on 26 January formally adopted the Cogeneration Directive, which is designed to promote the simultaneous production of electricity and heat in Europe.

Parliament adopts cogeneration compromise

Backing the deal hammered out with the Council on a Directive on the promotion of combined heat and power, the Parliament on 18 December adopted its report in second reading.

Cogeneration: Conciliation narrowly avoided

The Council and the Parliament have agreed on an approach to the Cogeneration Directive, thereby narrowly avoiding a conciliation procedure.

Policy makers and scientists discuss public perceptions of risk

At a conference on 4-5 December, policy makers, scientists and risk communicators debated ways in which to bridge the gap between science and public risk perceptions.

Parliament sticks to its guns on draft cogeneration directive

The Parliament's Industry Committee has refused to bow to pressure from the Council and the Commission, sticking to its initial position on the Cogeneration Directive. The possibility of a conciliation procedure looms ever closer.

Commission backs Council position on cogeneration

The Commission recommends the Council's position on cogeneration to the Parliament, stating that the spirit of the initial proposal had been retained.

Cogeneration ball back in the Parliament’s court

The Council of Ministers adopted a common position on the future Cogeneration Directive, and forwarded it to the Parliament for its second reading.