DBS | Cogeneration Division | Mississauga, ON.

Cogeneration Division

DBS » Cogen Division

What Is Cogeneration?

Producing heat and electricity simultaneously is called cogeneration (mCHP – Micro Combined Heat and Power).
To decrease energy consumption and adhere to international environmental rules and regulations, one solution is mCHP.
mCHP is best suited for multi-residential consumption profiles.
Due to the utilization of the thermal output (heat) from the generation process, the efficiency of current devices can be as high as 85-95%.
Ontario is ideally suited for a long system run time, as the thermal output all but eliminates the need for supplemental heating.

Two 35KW CHPs installed on the rooftop of a multi-residential apartment building

How mCHP Works

mCHP Is Economical

Improves overall energy efficiency and fuel utilization
Reduces electricity costs
Reduces natural gas heating cost
Offers high reliability and full control over the generation
It comes in all sizes to meet low and high demand users

mCHP Is Environmentally Sound

Produces lower emissions compared to separate power and heat production
Meets and/or exceeds all international environmental standards

Cogeneration Benefits

Operational

Reduced electrical supply from the utility
Additional security and reliability of electricity
Greater efficiency in heating and hot water consumption
Choice of multiple fuels
Cooling provision using absorption chillers

Financial

Reduced primary energy costs – typically 70%
Zero capital outlay option
Reduced investment surrounding the plant (e.g., Boilers)
Eligible for Enhanced Capital Allowances
Sufficient savings to fund energy-efficient measures

Environmental

Reduced primary energy use
Reduced C02 emissions
Reduced transmission losses from the grid
Highly efficient – up to 95%

Three Steps to a Successful mCHP Installation

Over the course of DBS history, we have commissioned more Combined Heat and Power (CHP) projects than any other company in Ontario. We have an install base of over 100 mCHP units. With all that experience, we have learned a few things about successful installations and projects.

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Choose a Company with Experience

Does your developer have experience delivering successful CHP projects? Installing successful technical projects requires more than just financing experience or knowing how to put a financial model in place. Many mCHP providers are focused on selling a concept and lack the practical knowledge required to implement projects. This could pose a significant financial risk to your project—you don’t want to uncover a high hidden cost late in the process because the developer was unaware of a requirement.

Some companies might assemble teams with the right engineering disciplines, but nevertheless, these teams have never had the practical experience of engineering, installing, and commissioning a CHP system. Over the years, we have seen some unfathomable things, from improperly sized electrical panels to expensive and unnecessary copper pool water piping.
Don’t be a guinea pig for an mCHP company. Visit their past project sites and validate their customers’ experiences. Don’t make a decision based on a spreadsheet alone!

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Look at the Whole Project

When deciding on an mCHP solution, think about all the parts that will make up your system—for example, heat exchangers, steam generators, electrical devices, the engine, chillers. We had consistently seen sites where the mCHP unit was blamed for performance issues when in fact, it was an ancillary component that was failing or improperly sized. The integrity to stand behind a product and admit fault if a failure occurs is of utmost importance, which is why we’re proud to do business with 6 out of the top 12 manufacturers in the world that specialize in mCHP. Unfortunately, not all manufacturers operate that way; issues will happen, and you want companies involved who want to be your partner. Having the right partners will help ensure a high degree of reliability once the systems are implemented.

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Who Will Do the Maintenance

After the project is complete, your only relationship remains with a maintenance organization that will maintain your mCHP unit and associated equipment. It is also important to adequately consider the maintenance process during design to make sure that the system can be easily maintained throughout its life.

Next, you will want to understand the history of the company handling the maintenance. Here are some questions to ask:

– What experience do they have with the equipment and setup that you’ve just had installed?

– Are they licensed and qualified?

– Do they stock parts inventory?

– Do they have a history of customer satisfaction?

– What will your maintenance provider do when something breaks?

– What are their service level agreement timelines?

At DBS, we have a fleet of 60 trucks always ready to service our customers. Plus, we’ve added controls to our procedures; we can either make a fix remotely or make sure that the service technician is prepared with the right parts before he even heads to the site for a diagnostic.

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