Experimental analysis of microcogenerators based on different prime movers

The European Union recently established an ambitious target by 2020 that consists of increasing theutilization of renewable energy up to 20%, reducing its overall pollutant emissions by at least 20%, andachieving a primary energy saving of 20% compared to reported 1990 levels. This aim can only be realizedwith strong effort in different sectors, such as residential, commercial, industry, tertiary, transportation.In particular in the European Union, a remarkable contribution to energy consumption and CO2 emissionsis concentrated in residential and commercial sector. The introduction of more efficient technologies inthese sectors could help in achieving the results expected by 2020. An option is given by cogeneration,defined as the combined “production” of electric and/or mechanical and thermal energy starting fromsingle energy source. This technology could be considered one of the first elements to save primary energy,to avoid network losses and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In particular, this article focuses on themicrocogeneration (electric power≤15 kW), which represents a valid and interesting application forresidential and light commercial users. The energy, economic and environmental implications due to theuse of small scale cogeneration systems were reported, by means of an experimental research activityperformed by the authors and other researchers.