CHP	(gg,
vvEPA COMBINED HEAT AND
POWER PARTNERSHIP	^ pro^°
Fuel and Carbon Dioxide Emissions Savings Calculation
Methodology for Combined Heat and Power Systems
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Combined Heat and Power Partnership
August 2012

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) CHP Partnership is a
voluntary program that seeks to reduce the environmental impact of power
generation by promoting the use of CHP. The CHP Partnership works closely
with energy users, the CHP industry, state and local governments, and other
stakeholders to support the development of new CHP projects and promote
their energy, environmental, and economic benefits.
The CHP Partnership provides resources about CHP technologies, incentives,
emissions profiles, and other information on its website at www.eDa.aov/chD.
For more information, contact the CHP Partnership Helpline at chD@eDa.aov
or (703) 373-8108.

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Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction	1
2.0 What IsCHP?	3
2.1 How CHP Systems Save Fuel and Reduce C02 Emissions	4
3.0 Calculating Fuel and C02 Emissions Savings from CHP	6
3.1	Fuel Use and C02 Emissions from Displaced On-site Thermal Production and Displaced Grid
Electricity	7
3.1.1	Fuel Use and C02 Emissions from Displaced On-site Thermal Production	7
3.1.2	Fuel Use and C02 Emissions from Displaced Grid Electricity	9
3.2	Fuel Use and C02 Emissions of the CHP System	10
Appendix A: EPA CHP Emissions Calculator Example Calculation	13
Appendix B: Displaced Grid Electricity Fuel Use and C02 Emissions	20
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1.0 Introduction
Amid growing concerns about energy security,
energy prices, economic competitiveness, and
climate change, combined heat and power (CHP)
has been recognized for its significant benefits and
the part it can play in efficiently meeting society's
growing energy demands while reducing
environmental impacts. Policy makers, project
developers, end users, and other CHP
stakeholders often need to quantify the fuel and
carbon dioxide (C02) emissions savings of CHP
projects compared to conventional separate heat
and power (SHP) in order to estimate projects'
actual emissions reductions. An appropriate
quantification of the energy and C02 emissions
savings from CHP plays a critical role in defining its
value proposition. At this time, there is no
established methodology to quantify and make this
estimation.
This paper provides the EPA Combined Heat and
Power Partnership's (the Partnership)
recommended methodology for calculating fuel and
C02 emissions savings from CHP compared to
SHP.1 This methodology recognizes the multiple
outputs of CHP systems and compares the fuel use
and emissions of the CHP system to the fuel use
and emissions that would have normally occurred
in providing energy services through SHP.
Although the methodology recommended in this
paper is useful for the specific purposes mentioned
above, it is not intended as a substitute
methodology for organizations quantifying and reporting GHG inventories. EPA recommends that
organizations use accepted GHG protocols, such as the World Resources Institute's Greenhouse Gas
Protocol2 or The Climate Registry's General Reporting Protocol3, when calculating and reporting a
company's carbon footprint.
However, the C02 emissions savings amounts estimated using the methodology recommended in this
paper can be reported as supplemental information in an organization's public disclosure of its GHG
inventory in order to help inform stakeholders of the emissions benefits of CHP and to highlight the
organization's commitment to energy-efficient and climate-friendly technologies.
Summary of Key Points
•	To calculate the fuel and CO.. emissions
savings of a CHP system, both electric and
thermal outputs of the CHP system must be
accounted for.
•	The CHP system's thermal output displaces
the fuel normally consumed in and
emissions emitted from on-site thermal
generation in a boiler or other equipment,
and the power output displaces the fuel
consumed and emissions from grid
electricity.
•	To quantify the fuel and CO.. emissions
savings of a CHP system, the fuel use of
and emissions released from the CHP
system are subtracted from the fuel use and
emissions that would normally occur without
the system (i.e.. using SHP).
•	A key factor in estimating the fuel and CO..
emissions savings for CHP is determining
the heat rate and emissions factor of the
displaced grid electricity. EPA's Emissions
& Generation Resource Integrated
Database (eGRID) is the recommended
source for these factors. See Appendix B
for information about these inputs.
1	CHP can also reduce emissions of methane and nitrous oxide along with other air pollutants. Although methane and nitrous
oxide are not discussed in this paper they are accounted for in the CHP Emissions Calculator. The CHP Emissions Calculator is
available at: http://www.epa.gov/chp/basic/calculator.html.
2	The Greenhouse Gas Protocol is available at: http://www.cihqprotocol.org/.
3	The Climate Registry General Reporting Protocol is available at: http://www.theclimateregistrv.org/resources/protocols/general-
reporting-protocol/.
1

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The paper is organized as follows:
•	Section 2 introduces CHP and explains the basis for fuel and C02 emissions savings from CHP
compared to SHP.
•	Section 3 presents a methodology for calculating the fuel and C02 emissions savings from CHP.
•	Appendix A presents a sample calculation of fuel and C02 emissions savings using the EPA CHP
Emissions Calculator.4
•	Appendix B explains the use of EPA's Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database
(eGRID) as a source for two important variables in the calculation of fuel and C02 emissions
savings from displaced grid electricity: displaced grid electricity heat rate5 and C02 emissions
factors. It also describes how to select values for these variables.
4	The EPA CHP Emissions Calculator is available at: http://www.epa.gov/chp/basic/calculator.html.
5	Heat rate is the ratio of fuel energy input as heat (Btu) per unit of net power output (kWh).
2

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2.0 What Is CHP?
Combined heat and power (CHP) is a highly efficient method of providing power and useful thermal
energy (heating or cooling) at the point of use with a single fuel source. By employing waste heat
recovery technology to capture a significant portion of the heat created as a by-product of fuel use, CHP
systems typically achieve total system efficiencies of 60 to 80 percent. An industrial or commercial entity
can use CHP to produce electricity and thermal energy instead of obtaining electricity from the grid and
producing thermal energy in an on-site furnace or boiler. In this way, CHP can provide significant energy
efficiency, cost savings, and environmental benefits compared to the combination of grid-supplied
electricity and on-site boiler use (referred to as separate heat and power or SHP).
CHP plays important roles both in efficiently meeting U.S. energy needs and in reducing the
environmental impact of power generation. Currently, CHP systems represent approximately 8 percent of
the electric generating capacity in the United States.6 Benefits of CHP include:
•	Efficiency benefits: CHP requires less fuel than SHP to produce a given energy output, and
because electricity is generated at the point of use, transmission and distribution losses that
occur when electricity travels over power lines from central power plants are displaced.
•	Reliability benefits: CHP can be designed to provide high-quality electricity and thermal energy
on site without relying on the electric grid, decreasing the impact of outages and improving power
quality for sensitive equipment.
•	Environmental benefits: Because less fuel is burned to produce each unit of energy output,
CHP reduces emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) and other air pollutants.
•	Economic benefits: Because of its efficiency benefits, CHP can help facilities save money on
energy. Also, CHP can provide a hedge against fluctuations in electricity costs.
In the most common type of CHP system, known as a topping cycle (see Figure 1), fuel is used by a
prime mover7 to drive a generator to produce electricity, and the otherwise-wasted heat from the prime
mover is recovered to provide useful thermal energy. Examples of the two most common topping cycle
CHP configurations are:
•	A reciprocating engine or gas turbine burns fuel to generate electricity and a heat recovery unit
captures heat from the exhaust and cooling system. The recovered heat is converted into useful
thermal energy, usually in the form of steam or hot water.
•	A steam turbine uses high-pressure steam from a fired boiler to drive a generator producing
electricity. Low-pressure steam extracted from or exiting the steam turbine is used for industrial
processes, space heating or cooling, domestic hot water, or for other purposes.
6	CHP Installation Database developed by ICF International for Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the U.S. DOE; 2012.
Available at http://www.eea-inc.com/chpdata/index.html.
7	Prime movers are the devices (e.g., reciprocating engine, gas turbine, microturbine, steam turbine) that convert fuels to
electrical energy via a generator.
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Figure 1: Typical Reciprocating Engine/Gas Turbine CHP Configuration (Topping Cycle)
Water
Heat Recovery
Unit
Hot Exhaust
Electricity
Engine
or
Turbine
Generator
In another type of CHP system, known as a bottoming cycle, fuel is used for the purpose of providing
thermal energy in an industrial process, such as a furnace, and heat from the process that would
otherwise be wasted is used to generate power.
2.1 How CHP Systems Save Fuel and Reduce CO2 Emissions
CHP's efficiency benefits result in reduced primary energy8 use and thus lower C02 emissions.
Figure 2 shows the efficiency advantage of CHP compared to SHP.9 CHP systems typically achieve total
system efficiencies of 60 to 80 percent compared to about 45 to 55 percent for SHP. As shown in Figure
2, CHP systems not only reduce the amount of total fuel required to provide electricity and thermal
energy, but also shift where that fuel is used. Installing a CHP system on site will generally increase the
amount of fuel that is used at the site, because additional fuel is required to operate the CHP system
compared to the equipment that otherwise would have been used on site to produce needed thermal
energy.
In the example shown in Figure 2, the on-site fuel use increases from 56 units in the SHP case to 100
units in the CHP case. However, despite this increase in on-site fuel use, the total fuel used to provide
the facility with the required electrical and thermal energy drops from 147 units in the SHP case, to 100
units in the CHP case, a 32 percent decrease in the amount of total fuel used.
8	Primary energy is the fuel that is consumed to create heat and/or electricity.
9	Like Figure 1, Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the most common CHP configuration known as the topping cycle. See section 2.0 for
more information.
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Figure 2: Energy Efficiency - CHP Versus Separate Heat and Power (SHP) Production (Topping
Cycle)
Conventional
Generation
Power Station Fuel
(U.S. Fossil Mix)
91 Units Fuel

56 Units Fuel
Combined Heat and Power
5 MW Natural Gas
Combustion Turbine
and Heat Recovery Boiler
Electricity
EFFICIENCY:
33%
EFFICIENCY:
80%
/ 30 N
Units
Electricity



/ \
Electricity



Combined


Heat


& Power


(CHP)
45
Units
Heat

Steam
\	 >

N. d

51% ...OVERALL EFFICIENCY... 75%
Note: Conventional power plant delivered efficiency of 33% (higher heating value [HHV]) is based on eGRID 2012 (2009 data)
and reflects the national average all fossil generating efficiency of 35.6% and 7% transmission and distribution losses. eGRID
provides information on emissions and fuel resource mix for individual power plants, generating companies, states, and
subregions of the power grid. eGRID is available at htto://www. eoa. gov/cleanenerav/enerav-resources/earid/index. html.
Using less fuel to provide the same amount of energy reduces C02 and other emissions. Figure 3 shows
the annual C02emissions savings of a natural gas combustion turbine CHP system compared to SHP. In
this case, the CHP system produces about half the annual C02 emissions of SHP while providing the
same amount of energy to the user.
Figure 3: C02 Emissions - CHP Versus Separate Heat and Power (SHP) Production (Topping
Cycle)
Conventional
Generation
Emissions ,
Power Station Fuel
(U.S. Fossil Mix)
Boiler Fuel (Gas)
32 kTons
EFFICIENCY:
Combined Heat and Power
5 MW Natural Gas
Combustion Turbine
and Heat Recovery Boiler
EFFICIENCY:
80%
35,000
MWh
179,130
MMBtu
~ >	
Electricity
Heat
Combined
Heat
& Power
(CHP)
Emissions \-
CHP Fuel (Gas)
>kTONS/YR ...TOTAL EMISSIONS.
>kTONS/YR
Note: Emissions savings are based on the efficiencies included in Figure 2 for SHP and a 5 MW gas turbine CHP system and
7,000 annual operating hours. Power plant C02 emissions are based on eGRID 2012 national all fossil generation average
(2009 data).

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3.0 Calculating Fuel and C02 Emissions Savings from CHP
To calculate the fuel or C02 emissions savings of a CHP system, both outputs of the CHP system—
thermal energy and electricity—must be accounted for. The CHP system's thermal output typically
displaces the fuel otherwise consumed in an on-site boiler, and the electric output displaces fuel
consumed at central station power plants.10 Moreover, the CHP system's electric output also displaces
fuel consumed to produce electricity lost during transmission and distribution.
The displaced fuel use and C02 emissions associated with the operation of a CHP system can be
determined by:
a.	Calculating the fuel use and emissions from displaced separate heat and power (SHP) (i.e.,
grid-supplied electricity and on-site thermal generation such as a boiler)
b.	Calculating the fuel use and emissions from CHP
c.	Subtracting (b) from (a)
Equation 1 presents the recommended approach for calculating the fuel savings of a CHP system.
Equation 2 presents the recommended approach for calculating C02 emissions savings of a CHP
system.
Note: Sections 3.1 and 3.2 present the approaches for calculating the individual terms found in
Equations 1 and 2. Appendix A presents a sample calculation of C02 savings using the EPA CHP
Emissions Calculator which uses the methodology and equations outlined in this section.
Equation 1: Calculating Fuel Savings from CHP
F- =	(F + F .) - F ,
where:
F- =	Total Fuel Savings (Btu)
F =	Fuel Use from Displaced On-site Thermal Production (Btu)
F . =	Fuel Use from Displaced Grid Electricity (Btu)
F . =	Fuel Used by the CHP System (Btu)
Step 1: Calculate F and F . using Equation 3 (page 8) and Equation 6 (page 10). respectively.
Step 2: Calculate F . through direct measurement or using Equations 8 (page 11). 9 (page 11) or 10
(page 12).
Step 3: Calculate F-.
10 The thermal output from CHP can also be used to produce cooling in an absorption or adsorption chiller. Accounting for
cooling introduces complexities that are not addressed in the methodology presented in this paper. However, the CHP
Emissions Calculator does account for cooling.
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Equation 2: Calculating C02 Savings from CHP
C. = (C +C.)-C.
where:
C- = Total CO.. Emissions Savings (lbs CO..)
C = CO.. Emissions from Displaced On-site Thermal Production (lbs CO,)
C . = CO.. Emissions from Displaced Grid Electricity (lbs CO..)
C . = CO.. Emissions from the CHP System (lbs CO..)
Step 1: Calculate C and C . using Equation 4 (page 8) and Equation 7 (page 10). respectively.
Step 2: Calculate C , using Equation 11 (page 12).
Step 3: Calculate C-.
Note on using Equations 1 and 2 for bottoming cycle CHP systems: In the case of bottoming
cycle CHP, also known as waste heat to power, power is generated on site from the hot exhaust of a
furnace or kiln with no additional fuel requirement. Therefore, the fuel use and C02 emissions for both
the CHP system and displaced thermal energy (FChp, Cchp, Ft, and CT) are all zero.
3.1 Fuel Use and CO2 Emissions from Displaced On-site Thermal Production and
Displaced Grid Electricity
3.1.1 Fuel Use and C02 Emissions from Displaced On-site Thermal Production
The thermal energy produced by a CHP system displaces combustion of some or all of the fuel that
would otherwise be consumed for on-site production of thermal energy.11 The fuel and C02 emissions
savings associated with this displaced fuel consumption can be calculated using the thermal output of
the CHP system and reasonable assumptions about the efficiency characteristics of the equipment that
would otherwise have been used to produce the thermal energy being produced by the CHP system.
Equation 3 presents the approach for calculating the fuel use from displaced on-site thermal production.
Equation 4 presents the approach for calculating the C02 emissions from displaced on-site thermal
production. Table 1 lists selected fuel-specific C02 emissions factors for use in Equation 4.
11 In certain circumstances, CHP systems are designed so that supplemental on-site thermal energy production is sometimes
utilized.
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Equation 3: Calculating Fuel Use from Displaced On-site Thermal Production
F = CHP n
where:
F = Fuel Use from Displaced On-site Thermal Production (Btu)
CHP = CHP System Thermal Output (Btu)
r) = Estimated Efficiency of the Thermal Equipment (percentage in decimal form)
Step 1: Measure or estimate CHP .
Step 2: Select q (e.g.. 80°o efficiency for a natural gas-fired boiler. 75°o for a biomass-fired boiler).
Step 3: Calculate F .
Equation 4: Calculating C02 Emissions from Displaced On-site Thermal Production
C =	F ' EF ' (1x10 )
where:
C =	CO.. Emissions from Displaced On-site Thermal Production (lbs CO,)
F =	Thermal Fuel Savings (Btu)
EF =	Fuel Specific CO.. Emission Factor (lbs CO.. MMBtu)
1x10 =	Conversion factor from Btu to MMBtu
Step 1: Calculate F using Equation 3.
Step 2: Select the appropriate EF from Table 1.
Step 3: Calculate C .
Table 1: Selected Fuel-Specific Energy and C02 Emissions Factors
Fuel Type
Energy Density
C02 Emissions
Factor, Ib/MMBtu
Natural Gas
1,028 Btu/scf
116.9
Distillate Fuel Oil #2
138,000 Btu/gallon
163.1
Residual Fuel Oil #6
150,000 Btu/gallon
165.6
Coal (Anthracite)
12,545 Btu/lb
228.3
Coal (Bituminous)
12,465 Btu/lb
205.9
Coal (Subbituminous)
8,625 Btu/lb
213.9
Coal (Lignite)
7,105 Btu/lb
212.5
Coal (Mixed-Industrial Sector)*
11,175 Btu/lb
207.1
* This is the default value for coal used in the CHP Emissions Calculator. Users can also manually
enter specific factors for type of coal used, if known.
Source: 40 CFR Part 98, Mandatory Greenhouse Gas Reporting, Table C-1: Default C02; Emission
Factors and High Heat Values for Various Types of Fuel. Available at:
http://ecfr.qpoaccess.aov/cai/t/text/text-
idx?c=ecfr&sid=1 e922da1c1055b070807782d1366f3d1 &ran=div9&view=text&node=40:21.0.1.1.3.3.
1.10.18&idno=40.
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3.1.2 Fuel Use and C02 Emissions from Displaced Grid Electricity
Grid electricity savings associated with on-site CHP include the grid electricity displaced by the CHP
output and related transmission and distribution losses.
When electricity is transmitted over power lines, some of the electricity is lost. The amount delivered to
users12 is therefore less than the amount generated at central station power plants, usually by an
average of about 6 to 9 percent.13'14 Consequently, generating 1 MWh of electricity on site means that
more than 1 MWh of electricity no longer needs to be generated at central station power plants.15 Fuel
and C02 emissions savings from displaced grid electricity should therefore be based on the
corresponding amount of displaced grid electricity generated and not on the amount of grid electricity
delivered (and consumed).
Equation 5 presents the approach for calculating the displaced grid electricity from CHP. Once the
displaced grid electricity from CHP is determined, the fuel use (Equation 6) and C02 emissions (Equation
7) from displaced grid electricity can be calculated.
Note: Key factors needed to calculate the fuel use and C02 emissions from displaced grid electricity
are the heat rate and C02 emissions factor for the grid electricity displaced. EPA's Emissions &
Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) is the recommended source for these factors.
CHP fuel and C02 emissions savings calculations should be based on the heat rates and emissions
factors of the eGRID subregion where the CHP system is located, utilizing the eGRID all fossil or non-
baseload emissions factors as appropriate. See Appendix B for information about using eGRID.
Equation 5: Calculating Displaced Grid Electricity from CHP
E. = CHP (1-L , )
where:
E . = Displaced Grid Electricity from CHP (kWh)
CHP = CHP System Electricity Output (kWh)
L , = Transmission and Distribution Losses (percentage in decimal form)
Step 1: Measure or estimate CHP .
Step 2: Select L , . (Use the eGRID transmission and distribution loss value for the appropriate U.S.
interconnect power grid')
Step 3: Calculate E ..
* eGRID lists the estimated transmission and distribution loss for each of the five U.S. interconnect power grids (i.e., Eastern,
Western, ERCOT, Alaska, and Hawaii). (eGRID Technical Support Document:
http://www.epa.aov/cleanenerav/documents/earidzips/eGRID2012 vear09 TechnicalSupportDocument.pdf).
12	For clarity, the amount of electricity generated by a central station power plant is referred to as "generated" electricity and the
amount of electricity consumed by a facility supplied by the grid is referred to as "delivered" electricity.
13	EPA eGRID Technical Support Document. April 2012.
http://www.epa.aov/cleanenerav/documents/earidzips/eGRID2012 vear09 TechnicalSupportDocument.pdf
DOE Energy Information Administration. State Electricity Profiles.
http://205.254.135.24/cneaf/electricitv/st profiles/e profiles sum.html
For example, assume a consumer without CHP requires 1.0 MWh of electricity each year and T&D losses equal 8%. The
delivered electricity is 1.0 MWh/yr, and the generated electricity is 1.087 MWh/yr (= 1/(1-0.08)).

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Equation 6: Calculating Fuel Use from Displaced Grid Electricity
F . =	E . ' HR .
where:
F . =	Fuel Use from Displaced Grid Electricity (Btu)
E . =	Displaced Grid Electricity from CHP (kWh)
HR . =	Grid Electricity Heat Rate (Btu kWh) for the appropriate subregion
Step 1: Determine E . using Equation 5.
Step 2: Select HR . for the appropriate subregion. (See Appendix B for information about appropriate
values and eGRID as a source for grid electricity heat rates.)
Step 3: Calculate F ..
Equation 7: Calculating C02 Emissions from Displaced Grid Electricity
C . =	E . ' EF .
where:
C . =	CO.. Emissions from Displaced Grid Electricity (lbs CO..)
E . =	Displaced Grid Electricity from CHP (kWh)
EF . =	Grid Electricity Emissions Factor (lbs CO.. kWh) for the appropriate subregion
Step 1: Determine E . using Equation 5.
Step 2: Select EF . for the appropriate subregion. (See Appendix B for information about appropriate
values and eGRID as a source for grid electricity CO.. emission factors).
Step 3: Calculate C ..
3.2 Fuel Use and CO2 Emissions of the CHP System
The energy content of the fuel consumed by the CHP system (FChp in Equation 1) can be determined
through several methods. Direct measurement (option 1) produces the most accurate results, but if direct
measurement is not an option the Partnership recommends the use of options 2, 3, or 4.
1)	Direct measurement of the higher heating value (HHV) of the fuel consumed (typically in
MMBtUHHv)- No calculation required.
2)	Converting the fuel volume into an energy value (Btu equivalent) using a fuel-specific energy
density using Equation 8.
3)	Converting the fuel weight into an energy value (Btu equivalent) using a fuel-specific energy
density (mass basis) using Equation 9.
4)
Applying the electrical efficiency of the CHP system to the CHP system's electric output using
Equation 10.
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Equation 8: Calculating Energy Content of the Fuel Used by CHP from the Fuel Volume
F. =	V 'ED
where:
F . =	Fuel Used by the CHP System (Btu)
V =	Volume of CHP Fuel Used (cubic foot, gallon, etc.)
ED =	Energy Density of CHP Fuel (Btu cubic foot. Btu gallon, etc.)
Step 1: Measure or estimate V .
Step 2: Select the appropriate value of ED . (See Table 1 on page 8)
Step 3: Calculate F,
Equation 9: Calculating Energy Content of the Fuel Used by CHP from the Fuel Weight
F, = W 'ED
where:
F . = Fuel Used by the CHP System (Btu)
W = Weight of CHP Fuel Used (lbs)
ED = Energy Density of CHP Fuel - Mass Basis (Btu. lb)
Step 1: Measure or estimate W .
Step 2: Select the appropriate ED . In order to be used here, the values in Table 1 (page 8) must be
converted to a mass basis using the fuel-specific density.
Step 3: Calculate F ..
Equation 10: Calculating Energy Content of the Fuel Used by CHP from the CHP Electric
Output
F. =	(CHP EE, ) ' 3412
where:
F . =	Fuel Used by the CHP System (Btu)
CHP =	CHP System Electricity Output (kWh)
EE . =	Electrical Efficiency of the CHP System (percentage in decimal form)
3412 =	Conversion factor between kWh and Btu
Step 1: Measure or estimate CHP .
Step 2: Determine EE , . (This value should account for parasitic losses, and is usually available in a
product specification sheet provided by the manufacturer of the equipment.)
Step 3: Calculate F .
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The C02 emissions from the CHP system are a function of the type and amount of fuel consumed. C02
emissions rates are commonly presented as pounds of emissions per million Btu of fuel input (Ib/MMBtu).
Table 1 on page 8 lists common fuel-specific C02 emissions factors. Equation 11 presents the approach
for calculating C02 emissions from a CHP system (Cchp in Equation 2).
Equation 11: Calculating C02 Emissions from the CHP System
C. = F . ' EF
where:
C , = CO.. Emissions from the CHP System (lbs CO..)
F , = Fuel Used by the CHP System (Btu)
EF = Fuel Specific Emissions Factor (lbs CO.. MMBtu)
Step 1: Measure or calculate F , using Equations 8 (page 11). 9 (page 11). or 10 (page 12).
Step 2: Select the appropriate EF from Table 1 on page 8.
Step 3: Calculate C . the CO.. emissions from the CHP system.
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Appendix A: EPACHP Emissions Calculator Example Calculation
The Partnership developed the EPA CHP Emissions Calculator to help users calculate the fuel and C02
emissions reductions achieved by CHP compared to SHP.16 The default values in the Calculator are
based on the guidelines in this paper. However, users can also input selected CHP system
characteristics and emissions factors for CHP fuel, displaced thermal fuel, and displaced grid electricity.
The EPA CHP Emissions Calculator is available at: http://www.epa.aov/chp/basic/calculator.html.
The following example shows how a user would operate the CHP Emissions Calculator to determine the
fuel and C02 savings achieved by a CHP system. The example system is a 5 MW natural gas-fired
combustion turbine and heat recovery boiler CHP system that provides heating for an industrial process
at a facility in Pennsylvania. The CHP system is displacing thermal energy provided by an existing
natural gas boiler and grid electricity in the RFC East subregion (the eGRID subregion that includes
Pennsylvania).17
Calculator Input
The following figures show the calculator inputs that are needed to evaluate this system. Figure 4 shows
the Calculator inputs related to the CHP system itself. For this example, the Calculator default values
were used for the electric efficiency and the power-to-heat ratio of the CHP system.
16	The CHP Emissions Calculator also accounts for methane (CH4), nitrogen oxides (NOx), nitrous oxide (N20), and sulfur
dioxide (S02).
17	Information about eGRID subregions is contained in Appendix B.
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Figure 4: CHP Emissions Calculator - CHP System Characteristics
2. CHP- Electricity Generating Capacity (per unit)
dermal size range for this technology is 1.000 to 40.000 kW
kW
4. CHP. How Many Hours per Year Does the CHP System Operate?
I will enter a value
1. CHP; :ype of System
Combustion Turbine
Susmii
5 000
3. CHP: How Many Identical Units (i.e., engines) Does This System Have?
Submit
Submit
As a number of hours per >} ear
OR As a percentage
;.i"i
Submit
5, CHP: Does the System Provide Heating or Cooling or Both?
Heating Only
If Heating and Cooling Ho-.v many of the 7 500 hours are in ceobn;! rr.ode?
As a number of hots per yea.'
as a percentage of the 7 500 hours?
-
SuSmit
If Heating and Cooling Doss the System Prc.ids Simultansous Heating and Coding?
: NO
6. CHP; Fuel
Fuel Tvpel Natural Gas
viei\ Biomass and Coal
Fuel Characteristics
Submit
Enter Generating Efficiency as %
OR Enter Generating Efficiency as Btu-kvVli HHV
3R Enter Generating Efficient•; as BtirkWh LHV
12. CHP- Electric Efficiency
I fell enter an efficiency in one
: ¦ 4 v : . : : :: :
Use default for this technology
2 95
11 SO 6
10 684
(HHV;
Btu'k'.-Vh iHHv
BtU'kVVh iLHV;
Submit
13. CHP Base Power to Heat Ratio
The Po-.vef to Heat Ratio should reflect ONLY the thermal production of the generating unit ii e combustion turbine;
Thermal Output of the dust burners (if equipped: should not be included
.	| Use the Thermal
I •.'.•ill enter a Fc-.ver to Heat ratic | Use default for this technology | Calculator to calculate
		my Po-ver to Heat Ratio
PO'.yer to Heat Ratio	0 62
5 in: mi
After entering the information about the CHP system to be evaluated, information is entered related to
the displaced on-site thermal energy production (i.e., the thermal energy produced by the CHP system
that replaces thermal energy formerly produced by an on-site boiler). Information about the thermal
equipment and fuel provides the basis for calculating the displaced thermal fuel use and C02 emissions.
Figure 5 shows the Calculator inputs related to the displaced thermal energy.
14

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Figure 5: CHP Emissions Calculator - Displaced Thermal Energy
23. Displaced Thermal: Type of System:
Existing Gas Boiler
Submit
24. Displaced Thermal: If riot a Natural Gas System: What is the Sulfur Content?
Commercial coal 1% sulfur
I will enter a value or High sulfur oil: 0.15% or 1 500 ppm
Low sulfur oil 0 05% or 500 ppm
Enter Sulfur Content as a percent
OR ppm
0 00%
Submit
ppm
25. Displaced Thermal: What is the C02 Emission Rate for this Fuel? (default completed for fuel in Item 23)
Enter alternative value: |	116 91 lb C02/MMBtu
Submit
26. Displaced Thermal: What is the Heat Content of this Fuel? (Enter a value in only ONE of the boxes)
Btu/cubic foot (HHV)
OR
OR
1 023
Btu/gallon (HHV)
Btu/lb (HHV)
Submit
I will enter an efficiency
Use default for this thermal technology
Enter Generating Efficiency as %
80%

Submit
The equations for calculating fuel use and C02 emissions from displaced on-site thermal energy
production are:
Fuel Use from Displaced On-site Thermal Energy Production (Equation 3):
Ft = CHPt / Ht
257.964 MMBtu/yr = 206.371 MMBtu/yr / 80%
where:
Ft = Fuel Use from Displaced On-site Thermal Production (Btu)
CHPt = CHP System Thermal Output (Btu)
rji = Thermal Equipment Efficiency (%)
C02 Emissions from Displaced On-site Thermal Production (Equation 4):
Or = Ft * EFf
30,155,992 lbs C02 = 257,964 MMBtu/yr *116.9 lb C02/MMBtu
where:
CT = C02 emissions from displaced on-site thermal production (lbs C02)
Ft = Thermal Fuel Savings (Btu)
EFf = Fuel Specific Emissions Factor (lbs C02/MMBtu)
The CHP Emissions Calculator inputs related to the displaced grid electricity are shown in Figure 6
below. eGRID emissions rates include: Total Output Emissions Rate, Fossil Fuel Output Emissions
15

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Rate, and Non-Baseload Output Emissions Rate. The Partnership recommends using the Fossil Fuel
Output Emissions Rate because it most accurately reflects the emissions of generation displaced by
CHP(see eGRID information in Appendix B). The Partnership also recommends using the rate for the
RFC East eGRID subregion which includes eastern Pennsylvania where this system is located. For
transmission and distribution (T&D) losses, the Partnership recommends using the eGRID value for grid
losses from the appropriate U.S. interconnect power grid. There are five U.S. interconnect power grids
(Eastern, Western, ERCOT, Alaska, and Hawaii), and the appropriate grid for this example is the Eastern
grid, with an average T&D losses of 5.82%.
Figure 6: CHP Emissions Calculator - Displaced Electricity
29. Displaced Electricity: Generation Profile
eGRID 2012 Average Fossil (2009 data)
Link to EPAs eGRID (Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database':
Modify one of the Three
User-Defined Generating
Sources
Submit
30. Displaced Electricity: Select U.S. Average or individual state or HERC region/suforegion for EGRID Data
RFCE East
w
NERC Region Definitions
31. Displaced Electricity: Select Electric Grid Region for Transmission and Distribution (T&D) Losses
Eastern Interconnect
0
5 82%
Link to ElA's Electric Grid Interconnection fvlau
Submit
Submit
The total fuel use and C02 emissions of displaced grid electricity are calculated using the following
equations:
Displaced Grid Electricity from CHP (Equation 5):
Eg = CHPe / (1-Lt&d)
39,817.4 MWh/year = 37,500 MWh/year/ (1 - 5.82%)
where:
Eg = Displaced Grid Electricity from CHP (kWh)
CHPe = CHP System Electricity Output (kWh)
Lt&d = Transmission and Distribution Losses (%)
Fuel Use from Displaced Grid Electricity (Equation 6):
FG = Eg * HRg
380,909 MMBtu/year = 39,817.4 MWh/year * 9,566 Btu/kWh /1000
where:
Fg = Fuel Use from Displaced Grid Electricity (Btu)
Eg = Displaced Grid Electricity from CHP (kWh)
HRg = Grid Electricity Heat Rate (Btu/kWh)
C02 Emissions from Displaced Grid Electricity (Equation 7):
CG = Eg * EFg
16

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67,211,771,200 lbs C02 = 39,817.4 MWh/year * 1,688 lb C02/kWh * 1000
where:
CG	= COo Emissions from Displaced Grid Electricity (lbs)
Eg	= Displaced Grid Electricity from CHP (kWh)
EFg	= Grid Electricity Emissions Factor (C02 Ib/kWh)
Calculator Results
Once the user has entered all of the information on the Inputs page of the Calculator and clicked the "Go
to Results" button the Results page is displayed. Figure 7 illustrates the results for this example, which
shows that the CHP system reduces overall fuel consumption by 196,018 MMBtu/year and C02
emissions by 22,794 tons/year.
Figure 7: CHP Emissions Calculator - Fuel and Emissions Savings Results
CHP Results ^	§ CHP
W	&EPA COMBINED ME AT AND
"crH wwtawiarneasmc
77ie results generated by the CHP Emissions Calculator are intended for eductional and outreach purposes only;
it is not designed for use in developing emission inventories or preparing air permit applications.
Annual Emissions Analysis

CHP System
Displaced
Electricity
Production
Displaced
Thermal
Production
Emissions/Fuel
Reduction
Percent Reduction
HOx (tons/year)
20 35
27.80
12.90
20.35
50%
SOj (tons/year)
0 13
167 11
0.08
167 05
100%
CO; (tons/year)
25.885
33 601
15 078
22.794
47%
CH4 (tons/year)
0 488
0.965
0.284
0.761
61%
NjO (tons/year)
0 049
0.538
0.028
0.517
91%
Total GHGs (COie tons/year)
25 910
33.788
15.093
22.970
47%
Carbon (metric tons/year)
6 400
8 308
3.728
5.636
47%
Fuel Consumption (MMBtu/year)
442.855
380 909
257.964
196.018
31%






Number of Cars Removed



3,991

This CHP project will reduce emissions of Greenhouse Gases (C02e) by 22,970 tons per year
This is equal to 5,636 metric tons of carbon equivalent (MTCE) per year
This reduction is equal to
removing the carbon emissions
of 3,991 cars
17

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The equations for the relationship for total fuel savings and C02 savings are as follows:
Total Fuel Savings from CHP (Equation 1):
Fs = (Ft + Fq) - Fchp
196,018 MMBtu/year = (257,964 MMBtu/year + 380,909 MMBtu/year) - 442,855 MMBtu/year
where:
Fs = Total Fuel Savings
Ft = Fuel Use from Displaced On-site Thermal Production
Fg = Fuel Use from Displaced Grid Electricity
Fchp = Fuel Used by the CHP System
Total C02 Savings from CHP (Equation 2):
Cs = (Ct + Cg) - Cchp
22,794 lbs C02 = (15,078 lbs + 33,601 lbs) - 25,885 lbs
where:
Cs = Total C02 Emissions Savings
Ct = C02 Emissions from Displaced On-site Thermal Production
CG = C02 Emissions from Displaced Grid Electricity
Cchp = C02 Emissions from the CHP System
Figure 8 shows the outputs of the CHP system in more detail, and Figure 9 shows the emissions rates
for the CHP system as well as those from the displaced thermal production and displaced electricity
generation.
Figure 8: CHP Emissions Calculator, CHP Outputs
CHP Technology
Fuel
Unit Capacity
Number of Units
Total CHP Capacity
Operation
Heat Rate
Combustion Turbine
Natural Gas
5.000 kW
1
5.000 kW
7.500 hours per year
11.809 Btu/kWh HHV
CHP Fuel Consumption
Duct Burner Fuel Consumption
Total Fuel Consumption
442.855 MMBtu/year
MMBtu/year
442,855 MMBtu/year
Total CHP Generation
37,500 MWh/year
Useful CHP Thermal Output
206.371 MMBtu/year for thermal applications (non-cooling)
MMBtu/year for electric applications (cooling and electric heating)
206,371 MMBtu/year Total
Displaced On-Site Production for Existing Gas Boiler
Thermal (non-cooling) Applications: 0.10 Ib/MMBtu NOx
0 00% sulfur content
Displaced Electric Sen/ice (cooling and
electric heating):
There is no displaced cooling sen/ice
Displaced Electricity Profile
eGRID 2012 Average Fossil (2009 data)
Egrid State
Distribution Losses
RFCE East
6%
Displaced Electricity Production
37.500 MWh/year CHP generation
MWh/year Displaced Electric Demand (cooling)
MWh/year Displaced Electric Demand (electric heating)
2,317 MWh/year Transmission Losses
39,817 MWh/year Total
18

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Figure 9: CHP Emissions Calculator, Emissions Rates
Annual Analysis for CHP


CHP System
Con-'f-ustioo
Turbine


Tctal Erosions
fro— CHF System
NO.
20 35


20 35
50- itcns-year
0 13


0 13
CO: i1cr'S-;,s-=r.
25 oSS


25 355
CK; i'tcns-'yesr:
0 438


0 456
' cO (tccs-'y9a«;
0 0 -9


0 049
Total GHGs (CO;? tons*v5?r:
25 910


25 910
Carbon ^metn: tons- .-ear:
6 400


6 450
Fuel Consumction i'MMBtu year':
442 S55


442 355


Annual Analysis for Displaced Production for Thermal inon-coolingj Ap
plications





Total Displace:?
Emissions frorr.
Thermal
-reduction
* SO. (tO:"S-y63;':



12 90
..



0 03
20: i1cr'S.-:,-9-=r;



15 078
CH^ i'tcns-'vesr:



0 2-54
! J;0 itccs-'ysa>-;



0 023
Total GHGs i C0:§ tons y*?f;



15 Or?
Carbon '"metnc tons- .-ear:



3 723
Fuel Consumption t'v-MPtu year':



257 954


Annual Analysis for Displaced Electricity Production

Displaced
CHP
Ele:tiiCil;
Gsrerstic"
l isplaced
: e: * : :. ::
Coclir>p
Displaced
Heattnci
Tsansnvssion
Losses
Total Displaced hmissons
frcr-": Electricity Generation
* SO. itcris-yea-"'
26 IS


1 52
r m
SO; (tens ye*r:
157 25


c, -3
16" 11
CO; i1c~s-ys?r:
31 6-i 5


" 955 56
33 -501
C'H^ i'h:ns''v83':
0 903


0 055
0 965
• i;0 itccs-'ysa-;
0 506


0 031
0 533
TMal GHGs :C0;~ tons ye?r:
31 321


1 956
33 "33
Carbon ;mstn: tons- .-ear:
7 825


45-1
3 308
Fuel Consumption tTCMBlu *, ear
353


22 159
330 509
Total Emissions for Conventional Production

Total Emissions for CHP System

40.7 tons of NOx


20.35 ions of NOx


167.18 tons of S02

13 tons of S02


48,880 tons of C02e

25,910 tons ofC02e

380 m i/lf.lBtu

37.500 MVVh





Electricity to Facility




Furt -T-rr^ur.irfiOT



rUci Z-vm-y.TiC.tivn

37.500 MWh

Central Station
Mo Cooling


CHP
Electricity

Poiverpsant



System
to Facilfty





v J



2






Trar-SRissior- Losses





27 8 tons of NOx


20 35 to:"? of < I j:
Tr.O'Tr.a! frcm CHP

167 11 tons of S02


13 tons o-


33 788 tons of C02e


25 910 tors cf C02-







206 371 MMBtii
257 m i/lf.lBtu





Thermae to
Fi- .. •





Facility

C-n-Site Thermal
2C6 3~1 MMBtu





F'-cdiot'sr
Tl-smisi to Facility

f
Absorpticn
*1




%
w Chiller
/ No Ccoiing

<2 f :,-iV






OS tons cf 802






"5 093 tons of C02e





19

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Appendix B: Displaced Grid Electricity Fuel Use and C02
Emissions
The displaced fuel use and C02 emissions associated with the operation of a CHP system can be
determined by:
a.	Calculating the fuel use and emissions from displaced separate heat and power (SHP) (i.e.,
grid-supplied electricity and on-site thermal generation such as a boiler)
b.	Calculating the fuel use and emissions from CHP
c.	Subtracting (b) from (a)
The challenge of calculating the fuel use and emissions associated with displaced grid electricity stems
from the fact that grid electricity is generated by a large number of sources with different fuels and
different heat rates. The sources that are reasonably expected to be displaced must therefore be
determined in order to estimate the displaced fuel use and emissions.
Section 3.1.1 of this paper presents the Partnership's recommended methodology for calculating the fuel
use and emissions from displaced thermal generation, and section 3.1.2 presents the recommended
methodology for calculating the fuel use and emissions from displaced grid electricity. Section 3.2
presents the recommended methodology for calculating the fuel use and emissions from CHP.
This appendix complements the methodology provided in section 3.1.2 by:
•	Discussing use of EPA's Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID) as a
resource for the grid electricity heat rate (HRG) and the grid electricity emissions factor (EFG)
needed to calculate the fuel and C02 emissions associated with displaced grid electricity from
CHP.
•	Explaining why, when calculating fuel and C02 emissions savings associated with CHP, the
Partnership recommends using the following factors:
o the eGRID all fossil emissions factor and heat rate for the eGRID subregion where the
CHP system is located for baseload CHP (i.e., greater than 6,500 annual operating
hours), and
o the eGRID non-baseload emissions factor and heat rate for the eGRID subregion where
the CHP system is located for CHP systems with relatively low annual capacity factors
(i.e., less than 6,500 annual operating hours) and with most generation occurring during
periods of high system demand.
B.1 EPA's Emissions & Generation Resource Integrated Database (eGRID)
Background
EPA's eGRID18 is a comprehensive and widely-used resource19 for information about electricity-
generating plants that provide power to the electric grid and report data to the U.S. government. eGRID
provides data on:
18 EPA has generated and published detailed information on electricity generation and emissions since 1998. The most recent
edition of eGRID, eGRID2012 version 1.0, was released in 2012 and contains data collected in 2009. More information is
available at. http://www.epa.aov/cleanenerav/enerav-resources/earid/index.html
20

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•	Generation (MWh)
•	Fuel use
•	Plant heat rate
•	Resource mix (e.g., coal, gas nuclear, wind, solar)
•	Emissions associated with power generation in the United States
In order to enhance the usability of this data, eGRID separates and organizes it into useful levels of
aggregation, as follows:
•	Plant
•	State
•	Electric generating company (EGC)
•	Power control area (PCA)
•	eGRID subregion
•	North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) region
•	U.S. total
Note:
•	eGRID consists of historic sets of recent data; it does not include projections of the operating
characteristics of generating units in the future.
•	The generation data and related data categories provided by eGRID are based on generated
electricity, not consumed (i.e., delivered) electricity and therefore do not include the impact of
transmission and distribution (T&D) losses (see Section 3.1.2 and Equation 5 for more
information on T&D losses).
Aggregation Level - eGRID subregion
EPA defines eGRID subregions based on NERC regions and PCAs. There are 26 eGRID subregions
(see Figure B-1) in eGRID2012, and each consists of one PCA or a portion of a PCA. eGRID subregions
generally represent sections of the grid that have similar resource mix and emissions characteristics.
19 According to the eGRID Technical Support Document, more than 40 tools, applications, and programs (public and private)
rely on eGRID data.
21

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Figure B-1: eGRID Subregion Map20
NEWE^
NWPP
NYUP
MROW
[mroe,
'rfcm]
NYCW
RFCW
SRMW
"rmpa]
tSPNOj
[CAMX]
[AZNM]
AKM5
HIOA
AKGD
Emissions arid Heat Rate Data
eGRID presents the heat rate of each listed plant, and emissions data aggregated by fuel type and by
generation source category (e.g., all fossil fuels). eGRID also presents emissions data for several
pollutants—carbon dioxide (C02), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (S02), methane (CH4), nitrous
oxide (N20) and mercury (Hg)—in the form of emissions rates on an output basis (Ib/MWh) and on a fuel
input basis (Ib/MMBtu).
Notes on Terminology. For the sake of clarity and consistency, eGRID
emission rates (Ib/MWh) are referred to in this appendix as emissions factors.
Also note that, because this document addresses how to calculate avoided
C02 emissions, all subsequent references to eGRID emissions data in this
appendix refer to C02 emissions only.
Three types of generation rates provided in eGRID are discussed in this appendix21:
• Total Output
The Total Output rates are based on data for all power generation regardless of energy source
(i.e., fossil, nuclear, hydro, and renewables) within a defined region or subregion. One C02
emissions factor (Ib/MWh) and one heat rate (Btu/kWh) value are associated with the category for
each NERC region and eGRID subregion.
20	Many of the boundaries shown on this map are approximate because they are based on company location rather than on
strict geographical boundaries.
21	In addition to the three eGRID generation categories listed here, eGRID also includes an "annual combustion output"
category. This category is not discussed in this appendix since it was primarily developed to estimate NOx and S02 emissions
from combustion generating units that are dispatched to respond to marginal increases in electricity demand, and thus not
applicable to C02 calculations involving CHP.
22

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•	Fossil Fuel Output
The Fossil Fuel Output rates are based on data for power generation from fossil fuel-fired plants
within a defined region or subregion. One C02 emission factor (Ib/MWh) and one heat rate
(Btu/kWh) value are associated with the category for each NERC region and eGFtID subregion.
EPA characterizes this emissions factor as "a rough estimate to determine how much emissions
could be avoided if energy efficiency and/or renewable energy displaces fossil fuel generation."22
The EPA CHP Partnership's CHP Emissions Calculator uses the emissions factor and heat rate
from this category to determine emissions and fuel use from displaced grid electricity when
evaluating CHP systems.23
eGFtID also provides emissions factors by specific fossil fuel type (i.e., for coal-, natural gas-, and
oil-fired generating plants). These emissions factors are useful in assessing the different impacts
of fossil fuels, but they are rarely used to evaluate the relationship between CHP and displaced
grid electricity emissions.
•	Non-baseload Output
The Non-baseload Output rates are based on data for power generation from combustion
generating units within a defined region or subregion that do not serve as baseload units. One
C02 emissions factor (Ib/MWh) and one heat rate (Btu/kWh) value are associated with the
category for each NERC region and eGRID subregion. The term "baseload" refers to those plants
that supply electricity to the grid even when demand for electricity is relatively low. Baseload
plants are usually brought online to provide electricity to the grid regardless of the level of
demand, and they generally operate continuously except when undergoing routine or
unscheduled maintenance. EPA developed the non-baseload output emissions factors to
estimate emissions reductions from energy efficiency projects and certain types of clean energy
projects based on the emissions from generating units that are dispatched to respond to marginal
increases in electricity demand.24 eGRID calculates the non-baseload factors by weighting each
plant's emissions and generation according to its capacity factor. The generation and emissions
from plants that operate most of the time, (that is, baseloaded plants with annual capacity factors
greater than 0.8) are excluded. All the generation and emissions from fuel-based plants that
operate infrequently during the year (for example, peaking units with capacity factors less than
0.2) are included. A portion of the emissions and generation from the remaining fuel-based plants
(i.e., those with capacity factors between 0.2 and 0.8) are included, with higher portions used for
plants with lower capacity factors and lower portions used for plants with higher capacity factors.
Table B-1 provides the all generation, all fossil, and non-baseload emissions factors from eGRID.
22 "EPA eGRID Technical Support Document. April 2012.
http://www.epa.aov/cleanenerav/documents/earidzips/eGRID2012 vear09 TechnicalSupportDocument.pdf
The CHP Emissions Calculator is available at: http://www.epa.gov/chp/basic/calculator.html
24 Rothschild, S. and Diem, A., "Guidance on the Use of eGRID Output Emissions Rates",
http://www.epa.aov/ttn/chief/conference/ei18/session5/rothschild.pdf
23

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Table B-1: eGRID 2012 C02 Emission Factors and Heat Rates by NERC Region and eGRID Subregion (2009 year data)

All Generation
All Fossil Average
Non-Baseload

Heat Rate
C02 Emission
Heat Rate
C02 Emission
Heat Rate
C02 Emission
NERC Region and Subregions
(Btu/kWh)
Factor (Ib/MWh)
(Btu/kWh)
Factor (Ib/MWh)
(Btu/kWh)
Factor (Ib/MWh)
Alaska Systems Coordinating Council
8,203
1,126
10,235
1,405
9,820
1,348
ASCC Alaska Grid
9,445
1,281
10,321
1,400
9,740
1,321
ASCC Miscellaneous
3,340
521
9,375
1,463
9,416
1,469
Florida Reliability Coordinating Council
7,708
1,177
8,964
1,366
8,464
1,301
FRCC All
7,708
1,177
8,964
1,366
8,464
1,301
Hawaiian Islands Coordinating Council
9,123
1,527
9,587
1,603
9,508
1,620
HICC Miscellaneous
8,434
1,352
10,242
1,725
9,851
1,616
HICC Oahu
9,383
1,593
9,383
1,567
9,396
1,621
Midwest Reliability Organization
7,940
1,624
10,735
2,231
9,900
2,063
MRO East
8,001
1,592
10,038
2,078
9,152
1,868
MRO West
7,931
1,629
10,853
2,257
10,120
2,115
Northeast Power Coordinating Council
4,771
654
8,746
1,183
8,549
1,210
NPCC Long Island
10,139
1,348
10,139
1,260
10,644
1,337
NPCC New England
5,463
728
8,687
1,137
8,201
1,157
NPCC NYC/Westchester
4,967
611
8,467
1,001
9,278
1,118
NPCC Upstate NY
3,150
498
8,684
1,404
8,246
1,347
Reliability First Corporation
6,964
1,370
9,930
1,963
9,463
1,879
RFC East
5,299
947
9,566
1,688
9,052
1,629
RFC Michigan
8,484
1,659
10,024
2,002
9,134
1,835
RFC West
7,500
1,521
10,038
2,048
9,811
2,002
Southeast Reliability Corporation
6,739
1,247
9,681
1,840
8,859
1,671
SERC Midwest
8,401
1,750
10,364
2,162
10,511
2,193
SERC Mississippi Valley
6,633
1,002
9,174
1,432
7,768
1,202
SERC South
7,316
1,326
9,399
1,776
8,713
1,622
SERC Tennessee Valley
6,916
1,358
10,002
1,988
9,697
1,921
SERC Virginia/Carolina
5,522
1,036
9,687
1,877
8,717
1,677
Southwest Power Pool
9,034
1,668
10,274
1,912
9,130
1,693
SPP North
9,014
1,816
10,997
2,215
10,661
2,148
SPP South
9,043
1,599
9,971
1,784
8,506
1,514
Texas Regional Entity
7,199
1,182
8,758
1,441
7,026
1,155
TRE All
7,199
1,182
8,758
1,441
7,026
1,155
Western Electricity Coordinating Council
5,774
953
9,186
1,541
7,407
1,249
WECC California
5,230
659
8,056
1,043
7,498
994
WECC Northwest
4,505
819
9,651
1,793
7,580
1,405
WECC Rockies
9,567
1,825
10,561
2,018
9,203
1,757
WECC Southwest
6,968
1,191
9,333
1,601
6,907
1,188
24

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B.2 Selecting the Appropriate eGRID Aggregation Level
As explained in Section B.1, eGRID data is aggregated in many ways (e.g., plant, state, EGC, eGRID
subregion). However, when selecting the appropriate grid electricity emissions factor (EFG) and heat rate
(HRg) required by Equations 6 and 7 in Section 3.1.2, the aggregation level should reflect the nature of
the electricity supply to the site where the CHP system is located. The Partnership therefore
recommends using the eGRID emissions factor and heat rate for the eGRID subregion where the CHP
system is located. The Partnership bases this recommendation on the following factors25:
•	In general, eGRID subregions represent sections of the grid that have similar resource mix and
emissions characteristics, operate as an integrated entity, and support most of the demand in the
subregion with power generated within the subregion.
•	Using the state aggregation level may not be appropriate, because emissions factors and heat rates
for this level often omit generation that is imported into the state or generation that is exported to
other states, and therefore may less accurately reflect the fuel use and emissions impacts of
generation displaced by a specific CHP system than the eGRID subregion aggregation level." The
EGC level likely omits an even greater amount of imports and exports than the state level, and,
therefore, also may not be appropriate for the same reasons as for the state level.
•	Emissions factors and heat rates for the NERC region or U.S. average aggregation levels do not
reflect significant regional variations in the emissions from generation, and therefore do not
accurately reflect the fuel use and emissions impacts of generation displaced by a specific CHP
system.
In summary, in the absence of nationally consistent and complete utility-specific import and export data,
the eGRID subregion level heat rates and emissions factors most accurately characterize the generation
that is displaced by CHP systems.
B.3 Selecting the Appropriate eGRID Emissions and Heat Rate Category
When selecting the eGRID emissions and heat rate category, it is important to select the category that
contains central station generators representative of those that are displaced by CHP systems. At first
glance, each of the eGRID categories mentioned above (i.e., total output, fossil fuel output, and non-
baseload) may seem like reasonable choices for HRG in Equation 6 and EFG in Equation 7 of Section
3.1.2; however the Partnership recommends using the following factors:
•	the eGRID fossil fuel output emissions factor and heat rate for the eGRID subregion where the
CHP system is located for baseload CHP (i.e., greater than 6,500 annual operating hours), and
•	the eGRID non-baseload emissions factor and heat rate for the eGRID subregion where the CHP
system is located for CHP systems with relatively low annual capacity factors (i.e., less than
6,500 annual operating hours) and with most generation occurring during periods of high system
demand.
This section provides a detailed rationale for this recommendation.
Estimating the energy and emissions displaced by CHP requires an estimate of the nature of generation
displaced by the use of power produced by the CHP system. Accurate estimates can be made using a
oc
Rothschild, S. et al., "The Value of eGRID and eGRIDweb to GHG Inventories",
http://www.epa.aov/cleanenerav/documents/earidzips/The Value of eGRID Dec 2009.pdf
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power system dispatch model to determine how emissions for generation in a specific eGRID subregion
are impacted by the shift in the system demand curve and generation mix resulting from the addition of
CHP systems. However, these models are complex and costly to run.
As stated previously, eGRID provides two rates that can be used to estimate the mix of generation that is
displaced by the use of clean energy technologies such as CHP: the fossil fuel output rates and the non-
baseload output rates. Use of the total output rates is not appropriate since it includes a substantial
amount of baseload generation that is not offset by CHP projects.
The following load duration curve analysis demonstrates why CHP typically displaces fossil-fuel fired
power generation, and explains appropriate uses of the fossil fuel and non-baseload emissions factors
and heat rates.
Load Duration Curve Analysis
Using eGRID data, which accurately characterizes the emissions associated with generation in a given
region or subregion, a relatively simple load duration curve analysis can be used to show the impact of
CHP additions. The load duration curve analysis presented here first introduces a typical load duration
curve, and then shows how the addition of CHP affects the resources dispatched.
Demand for electricity varies widely over the year, and different types and sizes of generators are used
to meet the varying load as it occurs. A load duration curve represents the electric demand in MW for a
specific region or subregion for each of the 8,760 hours in the year.
Figure B-2 below presents a load duration curve for a hypothetical PCA. The shape of the curve is typical
of electric load duration curves. Demand in MW is indicated on the vertical axis and the hours of the
year are indicated on the horizontal axis. Hourly demand levels are ordered from highest to lowest. In
this example, the graph shows that the highest hourly electric demand is 10,000 MW and the demand for
the next highest hour is about 9,800 MW. The minimum demand is 4,000 MW, meaning that every hour
of the year had at least this much demand. The area under the curve represents the total generation for
the year. The zones defined by horizontal lines represent a typical generating mix and dispatch order. In
a competitive electric market, the generators are dispatched based on their bid price into the market
(typically a function of the variable costs of generation, fuel, other consumable items, and operation and
maintenance costs). Generators with low variable costs will be dispatched first, and will therefore operate
many hours per year (i.e., serve as baseload generators).
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Figure B-2: Hypothetical Power System Load Duration Curve and Dispatch Order
12,000
10,000
Gas & Oil Peaking
;,000
5
S
Gas & Oil Intermediate
6,000
o
CO
Q.
CO
O
Coal
4,000
2,000
Nuclear & Hydro
0
2,190
4,380
6,570
8,760
Hours/year
Generators are dispatched in order of operating cost - lowest to highest:
•	The lowest-cost generators (nuclear and hydroelectric) operate whenever they are available. This
is illustrated in Figure B-2, which shows that these generators operate continuously over the
entire year.
•	Coal generation is typically the next-lowest operating cost source of power. While coal plants
largely serve as baseload plants, there are periods in which coal power must be scaled back or
turned off during periods of low demand. This is indicated in Figure B-2 as the area above the
curve and below the 'Coal' zone line. Also, some coal capacity—generally older, less efficient
systems—are often used as intermediate sources.
•	Natural gas and oil-fired systems typically have the highest operating costs, and therefore
operate the fewest number of hours. The generators with the very highest operating costs are
typically only used to meet peaking loads. Natural gas combined cycle plants have lower costs
and are typically used for intermediate loads (and, in some cases, for baseload generation).
Figure B-3 illustrates the effect of baseload CHP capacity that avoids 1,000 MW of central power
generation in the aforementioned hypothetical PCA. For simplicity, it is assumed that the CHP system
operates for the entire year even though CHP systems may be offline for two or more weeks a year for
planned or unplanned maintenance.
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Figure B-3: Marginal Displaced Generation due to 1,000 MW of CHP
12,000
10,000
Gas & Oil Peaking
;,000
5
S
Gas & Oil Intermediate
»
6,000
Avoided Row er
o
as
Q.
as
O
Coal
4,000
2,000
Nuclear & Hydro
0
2,190
4,380
6,570
8,760
Hours/year
A review of Figure B-3 indicates the following:
•	Because the CHP capacity operates continuously, the load duration curve shifts downward to
reflect the 1,000 MW reduction in demand for all hours of the year.
•	Compared to the base case (the top curve), the additional CHP capacity displaces an equal
amount of generation each hour that it runs, shifting the load curve down while it runs. The CHP
system therefore displaces power from the last unit of generation that would have been
dispatched in each of these hours.
•	Depending on the hour, the displaced generator could be a coal, oil, or gas steam unit, a
combined cycle generator, a central station peaking turbine, or a reciprocating engine peaking
unit.
•	Generators with a lower dispatch order, such as nuclear, hydro, and certain renewables, are
unaffected. These resources operate whenever they are available so are unaffected by changes
in power demand that result from CHP additions.
•	The generation (and corresponding emissions) displaced with CHP is therefore the fossil plant
output represented by the hash-marked area—a mix of mostly baseload and intermediate
generation with some peaking generation.
From Figure B-3, we see that CHP additions typically displace fossil fuel-fired power generation.
Therefore, the choice of which eGRID emission factor and heat rate to use for fuel and emissions
savings calculations depends on whether the CHP system in question operates as a baseload or non-
baseload system. As mentioned previously, CHP is mostly a baseload resource since it operates most
of the year, so in most cases the eGRID fossil fuel emissions factor and heat rate should be used. For
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those CHP systems with relatively low annual capacity factors as well as with most generation occurring
during periods of high system demand, the most appropriate estimate of displaced generation is
represented by the eGRID non-baseload emission factor and heat rate.
The graphs in Figure B-4 show the eGRID fossil fuel and non-baseload rates mapped onto the
hypothetical load duration curve. The difference between the two categories is largely in the amount of
coal-fired power that is included. The all fossil category includes a greater share of coal power whereas
the non-baseload category does not include coal-fired generators that do not operate during periods of
low demand. The eGRID plant data shows that 65.7 percent of the generation in the all fossil average
generation is coal-fired while only 47.7 percent of the generation in the non-baseload measure is coal-
fired.
Figure B-4: eGRID Fossil Fuel and Non-baseload Rates Mapped onto Hypothetical Load Curve
Fossil Fuel	Non-baseload
12,000
10,000
S,000
£ 6,000
o.
ro
O
4,000
2,000
Gas & Oil Peaking
Gas & Oil Intermediate
eGRID Fossil Fuel
Nuclear & Hydro
12,000 -r
10,000
i,000
k
Gas & Oil Peaking
£ 6,000
W5 & Oil Intermediate
eGRID Non-Base load .
o.
O
4,000
2,000
Nuclear & Hydro
2,190 4,380 6,570 8,760
Hours/year
0	2,190 4,380 6,570 8,760
Hourstyear
Note: Non-baseload share cannot be mapped exactly onto the load duration curve. An approximation is
shown.
B.5 Conclusion
When calculating the fuel and C02 emissions savings associated with CHP, the Partnership
recommends using the eGRID emissions factors and heat rates for the eGRID subregion where the CHP
system is located. Although not as accurate as a detailed dispatch analysis, a comparison of the
displaced generation from baseload CHP (Figure B-3) to the all fossil and non-baseload areas (Figure B-
4) suggests that the fossil fuel emission factor and heat rate are reasonable estimates for the calculation
of displaced emissions and fuel for a baseload CHP system (i.e., greater than 6,500 annual operating
hours). Similarly, for non-baseload CHP systems with relatively low annual capacity factors (i.e., less
than 6,500 annual operating hours) and with a relatively high generation contribution during periods of
high system demand, the most appropriate estimate of displaced generation is represented by the non-
baseload emission factor and heat rate.
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