Book description:

The introduction of micro CHP - the simultaneous production of heat and power in an individual

building based on small energy conversion units such as Stirling and reciprocating engines or fuel

cells - is of increasing political and public interest. A large-scale introduction of micro CHP would

radically change the electricity system and turn consumers into power producers. At the same time,

micro CHP could, if supported by favourable economic and policy conditions, represent a

considerable market segment, promoting downstream innovations such as "virtual power plants",

altered consumer awareness or new household energy management systems.

The diverse consequences of a widespread introduction of micro CHP for the energy market, the

customers, the environment and the economy require an interdisciplinary investigation into the real

benefits and barriers of micro CHP. This book not only introduces micro CHP systems and

technologies, but also presents the results of the first such investigation carried out by four German

research bodies. As micro CHP is being developed worldwide, experts from the five most important

micro CHP countries - Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Japan, and the United States of

America -report on the energy markets, the micro CHP hard- and software, and the respective

peculiarities in these countries.