Editing Distributed generation (section)

== Cost factors ==

Cogenerators find favor because most buildings already burn fuels, and the cogeneration can extract more value from the fuel. Local production has no [[Losses in electrical systems|electricity transmission losses]] on long distance [[power line]]s or energy losses from the [[Joule effect]] in transformers where in general 8-15% of the energy is lost<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blog.schneider-electric.com/energy-management-energy-efficiency/2013/03/25/how-big-are-power-line-losses/|title=How big are Power line losses?|work=Schneider Electric Blog|access-date=15 May 2015|date=25 March 2013}}</ref> (see also [[cost of electricity by source]]). Some larger installations utilize combined cycle generation. Usually this consists of a [[gas turbine]] whose exhaust boils [[water]] for a [[steam turbine]] in a [[Rankine cycle]]. The condenser of the steam cycle provides the heat for space heating or an absorptive [[chiller]]. Combined cycle plants with cogeneration have the highest known thermal efficiencies, often exceeding 85%.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} In countries with high pressure gas distribution, small turbines can be used to bring the gas pressure to domestic levels whilst extracting useful energy. If the UK were to implement this countrywide an additional 2-4&nbsp;GWe would become available. (Note that the energy is already being generated elsewhere to provide the high initial gas pressure – this method simply distributes the energy via a different route.)