Theoretical Analysis on the Environmental Performance of Distributed Combined Heat and Power System

In this paper, the theoretical formulas of the CO2 emissions reduction ratio of the DCHP system under different running statuses are proposed. The qualitative and quantitative analyses show that the selection of reference system and determination of the prime mover are of vital importance to the assessment of its environmental performance. At the point with electricity-heat equilibrium, the DCHP system obtains the best environmental benefit. When the heat-to-power ratio is less than the critical value, the electricity-tracking mode receives larger reduction ratio; on the contrary, the heat-tracking mode is the better option.