More efficient power and heat for aquatic centre

摘要

Anew cogeneration plant producing power and heat is expected to reduce energy consumption at the Castle Hill RSL Club's Aquatic Centre in Sydney. Officially opened in September, the plant was designed and installed by Simons Green Energy. It consists of a reciprocating gas engine, a series of heat exchangers and several hot water storage tanks. The six-cylinder MAN engine produces 142kWe (electrical) and 207kWt (thermal), with a daily electricity output of 2130kWh and a daily thermal output of 3105kWh. It satisfies about 70% of the building's electricity requirements, with the hot water produced as a "byproduct" from the engine's hot exhaust gas. According to Simons Green Energy, at about 85% its conversion efficiency is high. The typical pay-back period for this type of cogeneration plant varies between three to six years depending on the application and site specifics, the company said. To satisfy the design and installation regulations for connecting on-site power generation to the main power grid, it worked closely with power distribution