Combined heat and power

Recycle waste heat and generate power on-site. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) — also known as cogeneration — captures waste heat from power generation to use for heating and cooling, improving total system efficiency.
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Two CHP options, same high efficiency

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Commercial and industrial CHP

Ideal for manufacturing plants, hospitals, campuses and other large facilities with steady energy demands.

  • Uses natural gas or biomass to generate electricity and heat.
  • Can achieve up to 80% system efficiency*.
  • Reduces energy costs and carbon emissions.
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Micro CHP

Micro CHP (mCHP) is sized for smaller buildings like schools, hotels and multifamily properties.

  • Fits into existing mechanical rooms.
  • Operates in the 5-100 kW range.
  • Can reach 90%+ efficiency and cut energy use by 40% or more.

Get rebates up to $500,000

CHP and mCHP rebates are based on therms saved**. We can help calculate eligibility and maximize your incentive.

Engineering study funding

Get up to $20,000 to offset the cost of an engineering study, investment-grade audit or process evaluation. All applications must receive preapproval before the study begins.
Engineering Study Program Application

Determining if CHP or mCHP is right for your facility

You may be a good candidate if you have:

  • High year-round heating or hot water demand.
  • Long operating hours.
  • Centralized heating systems running on natural gas.
  • High energy costs or carbon reduction goals.
  • Interest in backup power during grid outages.

* Source: U.S. EPA Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Partnership www.epa.gov/chp
** Energy savings are calculated using methodology outlined in the Illinois Technical Reference Manual (TRM). Rebates may not exceed 50% of total project cost.

Resources

Find resources tailored to Combined Heat and Power, including fact sheets, case studies, and reports that show how this technology saves energy and money.

Want to see more? Check out the full Resources page for additional tools and information.

Industrial Heat Pump Technology Assessment

This technology assessment reviews industrial heat pump types, U.S. vendors, temperature ranges and installation configurations. Best-fit sites have waste heat, simultaneous heating and cooling, moderate temperature lift and favorable energy prices. Applications include food and beverage, chemicals, hospitals and district energy systems.

Industrial Heat Pumps: Chicago Market Assessment

Industrial heat pumps can supplement gas-fired process heat with efficient waste heat recovery, cutting therm use and greenhouse gas emissions. This paper identifies seven U.S. suppliers and strong opportunities in food, chemicals, hospitals and universities, with more than 43 million therms of technical reduction potential near Chicago.

Industrial Heat Pump Technology and Market Assessment

Industrial heat pumps cut energy use and emissions by upgrading waste heat for industrial heating processes. This report evaluates market potential in the Chicago area, finding over 43 million therms of technical potential but near-term economic potential of 1–2% due to cost, spark spread, infrastructure and awareness barriers.

Lincoln Park Zoo Gas Heat Pump Project

Keeping one of Chicago’s most visited attractions running smoothly, and providing high-quality care for the animals, requires dependable equipment behind the scenes.

Half Acre Beer Company mCHP Project

When Half Acre Beer Company wanted to understand where it could make its next meaningful energy improvement, an engineering study pointed to an opportunity hiding in plain sight.

Chicago Multifamily mCHP

The Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas Energy Efficiency Programs can work with you to save money on natural gas and electric bills with micro combined heat and power (mCHP).

HVAC Refrigerant Leakage Report

An estimated 50% of the powerful greenhouse gases used as refrigerants in HVAC systems leak into the atmosphere. This report details methods to estimate CO2 equivalent emissions from refrigerant leaks and highlights the need to transition to eco-friendly, low-GWP alternatives during HVAC maintenance and replacement.

Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas Custom and New Construction Rebate Program Application

Custom rebates are only made available to help influence and implement projects that otherwise would not be completed, or to complete projects sooner than currently or previously scheduled.

Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas Engineering Study Program Application

The Engineering Study provides customers up to $20,000 to offset the costs of on-site engineering support to perform an implementation study, investment-grade audit or process evaluation required for large custom, capital-intensive energy saving projects

Micro Combined Heat and Power Fact Sheet

Micro combined heat and power (mCHP) systems in the 5–100 kilowatt (kW) range are ideal for building owners seeking cost-effective solutions to save natural gas and electric energy.

Micro Combined Heat and Power Case Study

The Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas Energy Efficiency Programs can work with you to save money on natural gas and electric bills with micro combined heat and power (mCHP).

DOE Packaged CHP eCatalog

The CHP eCatalog is a national searchable web-based catalog that provides engineers with DOE recognized CHP suppliers and technical data for drop-in/packaged CHP systems.

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CHP systems can reduce costs and increase efficiency for businesses and multifamily properties. Complete the form below to learn more about system options, rebates, and next steps.

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