Cogeneration is a technology that allows an increase in the total energy efficiency of a conversion system.
The term cogeneration refers to the production and concurrent consumption of various secondary energy forms (electric and/or mechanical energy and thermal energy) starting from one source (fossil or renewable) in just one integrated system. The fundamental aim is to exploit the utilized primary energy: the results are a lower energy consumption and consequently a lower environmental impact.
Cogeneration makes possible energy savings up to 30%. The advantages regarding the environmental impact are significant too because CO2 emissions are drastically reduced thanks to a lower fossil fuels consumption. This is why cogeneration is legitimately part of a sustainable energy policy in line with the EU “20-20-20” targets and the other community regulations for the environmental protection.