Result description
Based on ene.field’s Life cycle environmental assessment, life cycle GHG emissions of the FC micro-CHP units installed today are lower than for a gas condensing boiler or a heat pump in all the investigated scenarios. Depending on the electricity mix that a FC micro-CHP would replace and the utilisation rate of the system, the life cycle GHG emission savings can reach up to 50% of CO2eq compared to a condensing boiler in an existing building. Taking into account that more than 80% of Europe’s individual heating systems are non-condensing boilers, the GHG savings would likely be higher.
The system level environmental impact for the large scale uptake of FC micro-CHP in Europe, identified by ene.field, is estimated at 32 mln tonnes of CO2eq reductions in 2030 taking into account EU and national energy and climate commitments and compared to a scenario with no micro-CHP deployment. This would amount to the abatement of 25% of Belgium’s total emissions in 2015.
Climate benefits of FC micro-CHP will likely persist beyond 2030, as the technology will likely displace more carbon intensive generating technologies rather than renewable energy up to 2050.
Addressing target audiences and expressing needs
- To raise awareness and possibly influence policy
Address barrier: a recurring barrierto FC m-CHP is linked to its efficiency or decarbonisation benefits being only partially accounted for (e.g.Energy Labelling, Covenant of Mayors). The methodologies comparing different technologies or qualifying a technology under a certain incentive scheme generally focus on specific dimensions of the energy value chain rather than taking a system approach: focus on final energy rather than primary energy; focus only on heating rather than all energy vectors; focus only on renewable electricity rather than all renewable energy sources (incl. renewable gas).
- EU and Member State Policy-makers
Result submitted to Horizon Results Platform by EIFER EUROPAISCHES INSTITUT FUR ENERGIEFORSCHUNG EDF KIT EWIV
