Internal Combustion Engine Combined Heat and Power Plants: Case Study of the University of Perugia Power Plant

A performance and economic analysis of an existing combined heat and power plant with an internal combustion engine and district heating for the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Perugia is presented. Results of the first 15 months of operation are shown and discussed with reference to daily performance of the combined heat and power plant, which shows how electric efficiency is only slightly affected by ambient temperature. A comparison of evaluation indexes for cogeneration plants is made with particular attention to the energy index (EI) which is used by Italian legislation as an evaluation parameter to decide if a combined heat and power plant can have access to financial benefits. A cost–benefits analysis based on the first year of operation was made to decide eventual changes in heat and power management, in order to reduce payback period and increase the internal rate of return of the investment.