Distributed generation and cogeneration at universities

Abstract

This paper investigates the feasibility of the implementation of cogeneration at universities with distributed generation systems in South Africa. In 2006 many universities were caught off guard by the energy crisis in South Africa, particularly in the Western Cape. To ensure that research and teaching were not neglected due to the power crisis emergency, standby generators were installed at most of the universities. This cost the institutions millions of Rands. However, the real cost implication was felt when the only utility, ESKOM, applied load shedding. Over a period of one month the generators of one institution used 15 000 litres of diesel during power failures. Cogeneration methods are discussed as a means of reducing energy consumption bills. Discussions are made of topping and bottoming cycles in cogeneration methods, utilizing either steam or gas turbines or reciprocating engines. Besides cogeneration the aim of this paper is also to promote energy consumption reduction methods at universities.