Cogeneration technology can help companies generate power more efficiently and with less environmental impact compared to purchasing electricity from the grid. Share Here’s what this looks like in practice.
Cogeneration technology captures heat generated from the production of electricity and reuses it to power manufacturing and industrial operations, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions due to its inherent energy efficiency.
One example of cogeneration technology making a difference is in chemical production, refining and processing operations for leading oil and gas company ExxonMobil. Its cogeneration facilities enable the avoidance of approximately 6 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
The company has interests in approximately 5400 megawatts of cogeneration capacity in more than 100 installations at more than 30 locations around the world.
Generation innovation
In October 2017, ExxonMobil announced the completion of a new 84 megawatt cogeneration plant at its Singapore Refinery’s Jurong site, which is currently the biggest operation in the Southern Hemisphere.
The new plant was designed to increase the refinery’s energy efficiency, help reduce emissions and strengthen the facility’s long-term competitiveness.
The site has more than 440 megawatts of cogeneration capacity and is able to meet the majority of its integrated refining and petrochemical complex’s power and steam needs.
Detailed planning and innovative modular construction enabled safe completion of the plant in a live operating site. Construction of the facility in Singapore included the movement of two 600-ton, nine-storey heat recovery steam generator modules from a fabrication yard in Thailand.
The Jurong cogeneration plant is expected to improve the refinery’s energy efficiency by 4 per cent to 5 per cent and result in a net reduction of 265 kilotons per year of carbon dioxide emissions – equivalent to removing more than 90,000 cars from Singapore’s roads. This will come thanks to efficiencies gained from a combined cycle power generation process.
Based on 2016 average household electricity consumption data, the plant will produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of more than 150,000 four-room Housing and Development Board flats in Singapore.
“Cogeneration technology is an energy-efficient solution for facilities that require both thermal energy and electricity. ExxonMobil’s investment in such technology will bring about both cost savings and carbon emissions reduction,” said Ronnie Tay, Chief Executive Officer of the National Environment Agency.
“I applaud ExxonMobil’s efforts and encourage others to similarly step up their efforts in making their manufacturing processes and facilities more energy efficient.”
Read more on cogeneration and reducing emissions on an industrial scale here.
ExxonMobil would like to learn how you manage energy efficiency in your operation. Share with other engineers your experience and insights in energy efficiency and machine lubricant challenges. The first 20 responses will receive a $50 voucher in appreciation.
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