What is "Cogeneration"?

Did you know that 10% of our nation's electricity now comes from "cogeneration" plants? 

And because cogeneration is so efficient, it saves its customers up to 40% on their energy expenses, and provides even greater savings to our environment through significant reductions in fuel usage and much lower greenhouse gas emissions. 

Cogeneration - also known as “combined heat and power” (CHP), cogen, district energy, total energy, and combined cycle, is the simultaneous production of heat (usually in the form of hot water and/or steam) and power, utilizing one primary fuel such as natural gas, or a renewable fuel, such as Biomethane, B100 Biodiesel, or Synthesis Gas. 

Cogeneration technology is not the latest industry buzz-word being touted as the solution to our nation's energy woes. Cogeneration is a proven technology that has been around for over 120 years! 

Our nation's first commercial power plant was a cogeneration plant that was designed and built by Thomas Edison in 1882 in New York. Our nation's first commercial power plant was called the "Pearl Street Station."


What is "Trigeneration"?

Trigeneration takes cogeneration one additional step. Trigeneration is defined as the simultaneous production of three forms of energy - typically, Cooling, Heating and Power - from only one fuel input. Put another way, our trigeneration energy systems produce three different types of energy for the price of one.  

Our Trigeneration energy systems overall system efficiencies have exceeded 85% efficiency.  

Typical "central" power plants that electric utility companies own and operate normally do not use the heat generated from the combustion and power generation process. Therefore, they are only about 30% to 35% efficient, wasting 65% to 70% of the available energy, that is simply wasted, and lost, with the heat going up their smokestacks.  

Here is a trigeneration diagram that better reflects the trigeneration process:

Trigeneration Diagram & Description
Trigeneration Power Plants' Have the Highest System Efficiencies and are 
About 300 % More Efficient than Typical Central Power Plants

Trigeneration plants are installed at locations that can benefit from all three forms of energy.  These types of installations that install trigeneration power plants are called "onsite power generation" also referred to as "decentralized energy."   

One of our company's principal's first experience with the design and development of a trigeneration power plant was the trigeneration power plant installation at Rice University in 1987 where our trigeneration development team started out by conducting a "cogeneration" feasibility study.  We installed a 4.0 MW Ruston gas turbine for the power plant.  Rice University selected an EPC company that installed the trigeneration power plant, along with waste heat recovery boilers and absorption chillers. A "waste heat recovery boiler" captures the heat from the exhaust of the gas turbine.  From there, the recovered energy was converted to chilled water - originally from (3) Hitachi Absorption Chillers - 2 were rated at 1,000 tons each, and the third Hitachi Absorption Chiller was rated at 1,500 tons. The Hitachi absorption chillers were replaced shortly after their installation by the EPC company.  The first trigeneration plant at Rice University was so successful, they added a second 5.0 MW trigeneration plant so today, Rice University is now generating about 9.0 MW of electricity, and also producing the cooling and heating the university needs from the trigeneration plant and circulating the trigeneration energy around its campus.

Trigeneration Chart
Trigeneration's "Super-Efficiency" compared 
with other competing technologies
As you can see, there is No Competition for Trigeneration!

How we make and distribute electricity is changing! The electric power transmission and distribution system (the electric "grid") is changing and evolving from the electric grid of the 19th and 20th centuries, which was inefficient, polluting, high-cost, and “dumb” which resembles:

…..To the electric grid of the 21st century (see slide below) that will be Decentralized, Smart, Efficient and provide “pollution free power” to customers who remain on the electric grid.  The electric grid of the future will be comprised of Onsite Power Generation plants fueled with Biomethane, B100 Biodiesel, Geothermal, Synthesis Gas, Wind & Solar power - located at Residential, Commercial, Industrial and City/Municipal Locations. Some customers will choose to dis-connect from the grid entirely. 

Typical "central" power plants and the electric utility companies that own them will either be shut-down, closed or go out of business due to one or more of the following:  failed business model, inordinate expenses related to central power plants that are inefficient, excessive pollution/emissions, high costs, and failure to provide efficient, carbon free energy and pollution free power that reduces our dependence on foreign oil and makes us Energy Independent while reducing and eliminating Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Our trigeneration power plants are the ideal onsite power and energy solution for customers that include:  Data Centers, Hospitals, Universities, Airports, Central Plants, Colleges & Universities, Dairies, Server Farms, District Heating & Cooling Plants, Food Processing Plants, Golf/Country Clubs, Government Buildings, Grocery Stores, Hotels, Manufacturing Plants, Nursing Homes, Office Buildings / Campuses, Radio Stations, Refrigerated Warehouses, Resorts, Restaurants, Schools, Server Farms, Shopping Centers, Supermarkets, Television Stations, Theatres and Military Bases.

We partner and collaborate with other forward thinking companies and communities that are interested in changing the outdated power and energy model of the past - inefficient and highly-polluting central power plants that average 33% efficiency - to a new paradigm and model for the future -  community-based cogeneration and trigeneration power plants at more than 90% efficiency - and therefore provides power and energy at lower prices while significantly reducing and even eliminating typical power plant emissions and greenhouse gas emissions.  

Call (832) 758 - 0027 for more information about community-based cogeneration and trigeneration power plants, or about making your community, hospital, university or other commercial facility a model for the future.

We presently contract the packaging of our new trigeneration power plants by a 3rd party/supplier but plan to build a new trigeneration manufacturing plant - near Houston, Texas where we will be able to significantly increase our trigeneration power plant production.

At about 86% to 93% net system efficiency, our trigeneration power plants are about 300% more efficient at providing energy than your current electric utility. That's because the typical electric utility's power plants are only about 33% efficient - they waste 2/3 of the fuel in generating electricity in the enormous amount of waste heat energy that they exhaust through their smokestacks.

Trigeneration is defined as the simultaneous production of three energies: cooling, heating and power.  Our trigeneration power plants use the same amount of fuel in producing three energies that would normally only produce just one type of energy. This means our customers that have our trigeneration power plants have significantly lower energy expenses, and a lower carbon footprint.

Our smallest trigeneration power plant "basic" power plant starts at $600,000 for a 200 kW trigeneration system. 

All of our trigeneration power plants can produce 20 - 42 degree F. chilled water, as well as steam and hot water while generating at least 200 kW of power. We can build trigeneration power plants up to 10 MW and with system efficiencies approaching 100%.

Read more about our Trigeneration Power Plants on our Specifications page.

Not sure what size trigeneration power plant to order or whether trigeneration is right for your business?

We can help!

Not sure what size trigeneration power plant to order or whether trigeneration is right for your business?

We can help as we offer three types of Trigeneration Feasibility Reviews & Studies!

Our Trigeneration Feasibility will help you make a decision whether one of our trigeneration power plants are right for your facility.

Trigeneration Feasibility Study and Analysis

Provides a solid basis for moving a potential renewable energy project forward.  The cost for this depends on the type, location, amount of time we require, and any additional requirements that may be included by the client. 

Generally, a trigeneration feasibility study a good option for clients considering trigeneration that need a trigeneration energy system that is over 1.0 MW and up to about 3.0 MW.

The time required to complete the study is about 90 to 120 days, on average. 

The final study we deliver is usually the basis for the customer to obtain a loan, power purchase agreement, energy services agreement or placing an order with us.

To start a Trigeneration Preliminary Study and Analysis, we require a 50% cash payment of the study cost plus a refundable deposit for our reimbursable expenses.

Trigeneration Detailed Concept, Engineering and Design Analysis

The detailed engineering design is a good option for clients that would need a trigeneration energy system with an estimated trigeneration energy system over 3.0 MW and above. In a detailed engineering design, the trigeneration energy system is conceived, designed and engineered as a custom fit and optimized energy solution for your specific facility. 

Final result is usually ready for a company to start construction. A detailed engineering design can take from 4 months to 6 months to complete. The fee will generally run as a percentage of the total installed cost of the trigeneration energy system, and generally costs anywhere from 5% to 15% of the overall cost of the project.

To start a detailed trigeneration engineering design, we require a 50% cash payment of the total fee plus a refundable deposit for our reimbursable expenses.

Our trigeneration feasibility studies and engineering design are led by our licensed engineers.  Our goal is to help you determine whether your renewable energy is viable, identify the merits of your proposed renewable energy project, identify weak points, provide our recommended course of action, as well as our recommendations for products and equipment that need further review or consideration.  Our Feasibility Studies are an excellent "foundation" for building your next renewable energy project.

If you order your new trigeneration power plant from us within 30 days of the date of delivery of our Trigeneration Feasibility Review or Study, we will reduce the cost of your new trigeneration power plant by half the cost of the study and apply the fee to the purchase.

Trigeneration is a technology whose time as come! Particularly for commercial clients who want to decrease their energy expenses and carbon footprint, while increasing energy efficiency and profits. This is possible as our trigeneration power plants surpass 90% net system efficiency. 

This is possible through our trigeneration power plants that surpass 90% system efficiency for our clients that need cooling, heating and power - which covers about 99% of all commercial buildings and companies.

While most new trigeneration power plants are capable of being fueled with clean natural gas, we are dedicated to ending the use of fossil fuels by providing renewable energy and renewable fuels such as B100 Biodiesel or Biomethane.  Simultaneously, we are focused on reducing and eliminating greenhouse gas emissions and carbon dioxide emissions.

In association with the Renewable Energy Institute, affiliate companies and investors, we provide "turnkey" trigeneration power plant development services that range from initial Engineering Feasibility & Economic Analysis Studies through project installation, start-up and commissioning, Operations & Maintenance, and Long Term Service Agreements for the lifetime of our systems.

Trigeneration Technologies' trigeneration power plants' net system's efficiencies surpass any potential competitor.  We guarantee our standard trigeneration power plants will exceed 90% net system efficiency. 

Our trigeneration plants can use renewable fuels such as Biomethane, B100 Biodiesel or Dimethyl Ether, instead of fossil fuels to run them. We also offer an optional selective catalytic reduction technology that takes NOx down to "non-detect" without the use of ammonia or urea on our new trigeneration plants.

Our range of services (some provided by affiliate companies or manufacturing suppliers) include:

• Design/engineering, Engineering Feasibility and Economic Analysis Studies

• Legal

• Energy Service Agreements

• Power Purchase Agreements

• Build

• Finance

• Own

• Operate

• Maintain

• Long Term Service Agreements

Our renewable energy projects generate Renewable Energy Credit or Certified Emission Reduction credits, which provide an additional income stream from our projects.

"The Trigeneration Experts" - the ONLY Company that Builds Integrated Trigeneration Plants on a Single Skid with Effective System Efficiencies that Exceed 90%.  Our Optional SCR System Reduces Nitrogen Oxides To "Non-Detect" Without Ammonia or Urea

Our small footprint Trigeneration Plants measurements are: 15' wide by 15' in height by and 55' in length

We Can Design, Build, and Install Your New Cogeneration or Trigeneration Power Plant and have it online in less than 150 - 150 days!

Our packaged Cogeneration and Trigeneration Energy Systems are Available from 60 kW to over 10 MW with system efficiencies > 90% While Providing Practically-free Heating (and Cooling with Trigeneration) and generating power for commercial and industrial customers for as low as 4 cents/kW!  We are the only company that builds, fabricates, packages (on a single skid) and "integrates" Cogeneration and Trigeneration into packaged energy systems.

Standard Cogeneration and Trigeneration energy systems:

                         100 kW          150 kW          250 kW          500 kW

                         1.0 MW          2.0 MW          3.0 MW          3.5 MW

We are committed to excellence and exceeding our customers goals and objectives, and will NOT use equipment from the following manufacturers: 

Capstone microturbines
Daewoo engines
GE Power
Guascor
Jenbacher
Kawasaki turbines 

in ANY of our cogeneration or trigeneration power plants. We can package any combination of standard size plants to come up with your optimum size system. 

Our company, and our company's manufacturers and packagers only use "industrial" engines that are made in the U.S.A.

Our standard and customized cogeneration and trigeneration energy systems use the leading brands of reciprocating engines or turbines and include our proprietary Waste Heat Recovery technologies that help us achieve system efficiencies greater than 90% and effective heat rates as low as 4050 btu's/kW.  We provide both standard and customized cogeneration and trigeneration energy systems that meet our customer's most stringent economic and environmental requirements.

Our cogeneration and trigeneration energy systems can run on renewable fuels for even greater environmental and economic savings! These fuels or energy sources include: Biomethane, B100 Biodiesel, Dimethyl-Ether, Synthesis Gas and natural gas. Net system efficiencies of our trigeneration power plants are now exceeding 90% with up to 95% lower emissions when using Biomethane, B100 Biodiesel, Dimethyl-Ether or Synthesis Gas as the fuel for Trigeneration power plants.

For pricing and delivery information on our Cogeneration or Trigeneration power plants, call (832) 758 - 0027 or send an email with your project's requirements to:  info@trigeneration.com

Read more about our Trigeneration Power Plants on our Specifications page.

Our New "Integrated" Trigeneration Plants Have 
Very High Efficiencies & Low Fuel Costs

The Effective Heat Rate is Approximately 
4050 btu/kW & System Efficiency is 92%

Pictures of a Cogeneration Energy System Built for New Industrial Customer.  This Cogeneration Plant is Rated at 900 kW and Features (2) Natural Gas Engines @ 450 kW each on one Skid.

Our onsite cogeneration and trigeneration energy systems are an ideal solution for customers wanting increased power reliability and decreased energy and environmental costs.  A few of the types of buildings and businesses that would benefit from an onsite trigeneration plant include the following:

Airports

Casinos

Central Plants

Colleges & Universities

Dairies

Data Centers & Server Farms 

District Heating & Cooling plants

Food Processing Plants

Golf/Country Clubs

Government Buildings and Facilities 

Grocery Stores

Hospitals 

Hotels

Manufacturing Plants

Military Bases

Nursing Homes 

Office Buildings / Campuses

Radio Stations

Refrigerated Warehouses 

Resorts 

Restaurants 

Schools

Server Farms

Shopping centers 

Supermarkets 

Television Stations

Theatres

For pricing and delivery information on our Cogeneration or Trigeneration power plants, call (832) 758 - 0027 or send an email with your goals, objectives and requirements to:  info@trigeneration.com

We would be interested in meeting with potential joint venture partners who are as committed and passionate as we are about making a difference in the world by assisting us with the capital we need to begin mass-producing our +/- 90% efficient trigeneration power plants which will soon be located on the roof (or next to the building) of every commercial business - such as restaurants, office buildings, supermarkets/grocery stores, hospitals, casinos, universities, dairies, data centers and server farms.

Equity positions now available for qualified joint venture partners in multiple trigeneration projects we are seeking to develop with leading Fortune 1000 companies.  Our joint venture equity partners will assist us with manufacturing our cogeneration or trigeneration plants and start installing them on the roof-tops or next to our customer's facilities - pending orders from hospitals and restaurants who have agreed to purchase all of our energy generated from our trigeneration plants through our Energy Services Agreement (similar to a Power Purchase Agreement except in the case of an Energy Services Agreement, we also sell the hot water/steam and chilled water, in addition to the electricity our trigeneration plants generate).

Our trigeneration plants will;

* forever change the way that energy is generated and used.

* will be fueled with "green fuels" such as; Biomethane, B100 Biodiesel, Synthesis Gas (generated from biomass feedstock and "converted" through Biomass Gasification plants), Dimethyl Ether or Solar Energy.

* eliminate or greatly reduce our customer's electric demand charges.

* significantly increase the amount of renewable energy used in the U.S. and around the world when renewable fuels such as Biomethane, B100 Biodiesel, Synthesis Gas or Dimethyl Ether

* stop/reverse climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and carbon dioxide emissions.

* reduce and eventually eliminate the use of "fossil fuels."

* reduce the need for inefficient and expensive central power plants owned by utility companies. 

* promote energy independence.

* end America's dependence on oil from OPEC and other countries in the Middle-East, Venezuela and end our need for importing natural gas from Russia.

Prospective joint venture partners are invited to send an introductory email regarding your interests in renewable energy along with your financial abilities and expectations to:  info@Trigeneration.com

More information and background on cogeneration

Primary fuels commonly used in cogeneration include natural gas, oil, diesel fuel, propane, coal, wood, wood-waste and bio-mass. These "primary" fuels are used to make electricity, a "secondary" fuel. This is why electricity, when compared on a btu to btu basis, is typically 3-4 times more expensive than primary fuels such as natural gas.

An example of a cogeneration process would be the automobile in which the primary fuel (gasoline) is burned in an internal combustion engine - this produces both mechanical and electrical energy (cogeneration). These combined energies, derived from the combustion process of the car's engine, operate the various systems of the automobile, including the drive-train or transmission (mechanical power), lights (electrical power), air conditioning (mechanical and electrical power), and heating of the car's interior when heat is required to keep the car's occupants warm. This heat, which is manufactured by the engine during the combustion process, was “captured” from the engine and then re-directed to the passenger compartment.

Due to competitive pressures to cut costs and reduce emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gasses, owners and operators of industrial and commercial facilities are actively looking for ways to use energy more efficiently. One option is cogeneration, also known as combined heat and power (CHP). Cogeneration/CHP is the simultaneous production of electricity and useful heat from the same fuel or energy. Facilities with cogeneration systems use them to produce their own electricity, and use the unused excess (waste) heat for process steam, hot water heating, space heating, and other thermal needs. They may also use excess process heat to produce steam for electricity production. Cogeneration currently coexists with a regulated industry that is going through major structural changes that may limit or expand its application.

Cogeneration and

The concept of cogeneration is not new, as we discussed previously. Early in this century, before there was an extensive network of power lines, many industries had cogeneration plants. As utilities became established and grew, most states began to regulate them in order to limit their pricing power. The Public Utilities Holding Act of 1935 (PUHCA), together with amendments to the Federal Power Act (also in 1935), were the final steps in protecting utility companies from competition. These laws created vertically integrated utilities with responsibility for the production, transmi