Question: Gas to electricity generators

Sterlingtimes

I see that there are boilers that incorporate gas to electricity generators. Why cannot we not buy domestic standalone gas to electricity generators?

zeupater

Sterlingtimes wrote: »

I see that there are boilers that incorporate gas to electricity generators. Why cannot we not buy domestic standalone gas to electricity generators?

Hi

It's likely that the answer lies in the efficiency of the method of generation. Whichever method of gas micro-generation is used (Micro gas turbine, Sterling engine, Fuel cell etc) a considerable by-product is heat, which if not used is simply wasted. In order to claim high efficiency the heat must be captured and made use of and the best (/cheapest) way to do this is to incorporate water based heat exchange ...

... it doesn't take much to move the above concept from pure generation into a number of co-generation CHP solutions - unfortunately, with the existing levels of maturity in the various technologies available, the cheapest options to consumerize (most affordable product) are technologies which make the electricity generation a by-product of heating provision, not the other way around ...

HTH
Z

thenudeone

The short answer is - a box in your utility room is not going to be more efficient at turning gas into electricity than a huge-scale and highly-engineered generator pumping electricity into the national grid.

captainhindsight_2

Sterlingtimes wrote: »

I see that there are boilers that incorporate gas to electricity generators. Why cannot we not buy domestic standalone gas to electricity generators?

You can check out the Baxi Ecogen

http://www.baxi.co.uk/renewables/combined-heat-and-power/ecogen.htm

It is called micro-CHP and qualifies for Feed in Tariff payments.

Smiley_Dan

Erm... that's a boiler.

captainhindsight_2

Smiley_Dan wrote: »

Erm... that's a boiler.

Yes a boiler that produces electricity, and qualifies for fit payments. Most boilers don't do that...

tunnel

I'm keeping an eye on this one
What better to compliment my solar than a boiler that generates leccy in the dark cold winter months when the boiler is always on

captainhindsight_2

tunnel wrote: »

I'm keeping an eye on this one
What better to compliment my solar than a boiler that generates leccy in the dark cold winter months when the boiler is always on

Very interesting can't see that it qualifies for fit though where the baxi does which would raise some questions but maybe something they are working on.

I am going to give them a call on Monday!

Smiley dan will prob think it's just a normal boiler,,, lol.

legoman62

tunnel wrote: »

I'm keeping an eye on this one
What better to compliment my solar than a boiler that generates leccy in the dark cold winter months when the boiler is always on

Me too.. I'm interested:T

tunnel

captainhindsight wrote: »

Very interesting can't see that it qualifies for fit though where the baxi does which would raise some questions but maybe something they are working on.

I am going to give them a call on Monday!

Smiley dan will prob think it's just a normal boiler,,, lol.

Hi captain,
Scroll down the page to benefits and you'll notice it does attract FiTs payments

captainhindsight_2

tunnel wrote: »

Hi captain,
Scroll down the page to benefits and you'll notice it does attract FiTs payments

So it does, couldn't see it on the mcs website though. Probably doesn't mean much, mcs don't tend to update there site very often