There are many regulations applicable to the emissions from internal combustion engines depending on the particular application. Navigating these various regulations can be difficult.
We have made a study of the various emissions regulations, building standards and other climate change legislation. We would be happy to advise any customer on how Biofuel CHP might assist in meeting their requirements.
The emissions from engines in road vehicles are governed by European Directive. The present standard is known as Euro 5 (moving towards Euro 6 in 2012 – 2014). There are various maximum emissions levels according to vehicle use and size. Stationary engines (such as a CHP plant) are not included but the road vehicle limits are worth consideration because almost all biofuel research with engines has been focussed on vehicle emissions.
The emissions from engines when used as electrical generators are also covered by European Directive. Currently known as Tier 3a and 3b (moving to Tier 4) these emissions limits are often the target for the original engine manufacturer. We use these limits as our benchmark because it enables customers to more easily make comparisons with our competitors, even though they are not a requirement for CHP installations.
Those regulations most applicable to CHP are clearly building related. There are a number of areas in which Biofuel CHP can assist with meeting various Building Standards.
- Building Regulations Part L, the Code for Sustainable Homes, SBEM and Energy Performance Certificates are based more or less on SAP calculations (the Standard Assessment Procedure). SAP allows credits for CHP generally including the self-generation of electricity and use of biofuels. There is also a potential credit for specific reductions in CO2 emissions.
- Planning consent for new premises is sometimes dependant on the inclusion of renewable energy.
- Display Energy Certificates are a requirement for certain public buildings and these calculations are based on metered demand for energy. Biofuel CHP can make a significant difference because it is reducing imported fossil fuel energy.
- The BREEAM standard is a points based system evaluating the quality of a building by assessing key factors of design and management. Including Biofuel CHP in a design can gain points in the Energy, Pollution and Innovation sections.
In addition to the various building related standards there is a growing weight of legislation which focusses on emissions reduction from businesses in general.
These include the EU-ETS (Emissions Trading Scheme) and Climate Change Agreements, which tend to impact on very large emitters of greenhouse gases.
However, the introduction of the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme has a more general impact on businesses. Any organisation using more than 6,000 MWh of electricity per year, across the whole organisation, is required to participate. A tax is levied on businesses according to the weight of carbon emitted. This carbon calculation is based on meter readings.
The heat from a biofuel CHP plant has a zero rating when calculating emissions for the CRC and although there is no credit for the electricity produced (because ROCs are claimed instead) the self-generated power does reduce the need for grid electricity. As businesses are ‘captured’ by the CRC based on half-hour meter readings of grid electricity, there is the prospect that biofuel CHP could enable a customer to drop out of the scheme altogether. This would avoid the compliance fees, any possible fines and make savings in management time. | 
