CHPQA Update – Energy Efficiency Requirements

Fossil FuelsFollowing the update of the energy efficiency requirements underpinning the Combined Heat and Power Quality Assurance (CHPQA) scheme, new CHPQA documents have been published and are available at:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/combined-heat-power-quality-assurance-programme

The energy efficiency requirements that underpin the CHPQA programme are updated every 3-4 years in line with technological developments. The most recent update was published in December 2015 and applies to new CHP schemes from 1st January 2016, when they apply for certification in 2017. CHP schemes that received CHPQA certification prior to 1st January 2016 will have their QI values grandfathered.

CHPQA Standard – Issue 6

The CHPQA Standard Issue 6 specifies revised Quality Index formulae from those in Issue 5 of the Standard. As the CHPQA Scheme operates on an annual basis, certification is based on a Scheme’s performance over the previous calendar year.

Issue 6 of the Standard formulae will first apply to the 2017 certification of new Schemes based, as appropriate, on the design or operational data for the year commencing 1 January 2016.

Existing Schemes that received an F3 or an F4 CHPQA certificate prior to 1 January 2016 will continue to receive CHPQA certification on the basis of the CHPQA Standard QI formulae under which they were previously certified.

New Schemes

The CHPQA Standard Issue 6 QI formulae (Table 1) will apply to all new Schemes that receive an F3 or an F4 CHPQA certificate on or after 1st January 2017, where they have not received an F3 or an F4 certificate prior to 1st January 2016.

All Schemes that received an F3 CHPQA certificate (based on design data) for the first time between 1st January and 31st December 2016 based on CHPQA Standard Issue 5 QI formulae will be treated as new Schemes. Therefore, from 1st January 2017 the CHPQA Standard Issue 6 QI formulae will be applied for the recertification of such Schemes, based, as appropriate, on their design or operational data for the year commencing 1st January 2016.

Existing Scheme Upgrades and Expansions

A Scheme that is already in operation and has been certified by CHPQA will continue to be certified based on its existing QI formula, where it is upgraded or expanded under one of the following scenarios:

  • The existing prime mover is replaced with a new prime mover with the same capacity.
  • The existing prime mover is replaced with a new larger prime mover.
  • A new prime mover is added to the existing Scheme, becoming an integral part of the existing Scheme.
  • Other plant improvements, such as the installation of additional heat recovery equipment, that upgrade the Scheme.

Existing Scheme Replacements

Where such an existing certified Scheme is completely replaced, it will be treated as a new CHP Scheme and the CHPQA Standard Issue 6 QI formulae (Table 1) will apply.

Guidance Note 44 – Issue 6

Guidance Note 44 (GN44) Issue 6 contains a set of QI formulae which are separate from the CHPQA Standard Issue 6 QI formulae and which are relevant to the Renewables Obligation and Contracts for Difference (CFD) schemes.

GN44 Issue 6 contains detailed guidance as to how and when the GN44 Issue 6 QI formulae will be applied in respect of the Renewables Obligation and Contracts for Difference.

GN44 Issue 6 also contains detailed guidance as to how and when the replacement GN44 Issue 6 QI formulae will be applied and that, notwithstanding the grandfathering arrangements described above, any GN44 certificate issued in connection with any ‘with CHP’ CFD contract entered into on or after the publication of GN44 Issue 6 will be issued using the GN44 Issue 6 QI formulae.

Please note that other CHPQA Guidance Notes will be updated and made available in due course to ensure consistency with these two new documents. In the meantime, please be aware that the two new documents published take precedence over other CHPQA guidance where there are differences, so please make sure that you use the latest version of the CHPQA Guidance Notes.

Table 1 – QI Formulae by Size and Type of CHP Scheme

Size of Scheme QI Formula
Conventional Fossil Fuels Schemes
Natural Gas
≤1MWe QI = 249 x η power + 113 x η heat
>1 to ≤10MWe QI = 195 x η power + 113 x η heat
>10 to ≤25MWe QI = 191 x η power + 113 x η heat
>25 to ≤50MWe QI = 186 x η power + 113 x η heat
>50 to ≤100MWe QI = 179 x η power + 113 x η heat
>100 to ≤200MWe QI = 176 x η power + 113 x η heat
>200 to ≤500MWe QI = 173 x η power + 113 x η heat
>500MWe QI = 172 x η power + 113 x η heat
Oil
1MWe QI = 249 x η power + 115 x η heat
>1 ≤25MWe QI = 191 x η power + 115 x η heat
>25MWe QI = 176 x η power + 115 x η heat
Coal
<1MWe QI = 249 x η power + 115 x η heat
>1 to ≤25MWe QI = 191 x η power + 115 x η heat
>25MWe QI = 176 x η power + 115 x η heat
Special Cases
Fuel Cell Schemes QI = 180 x η power + 120 x η heat
Alternative Fuel Schemes
Category A (e.g. AD gas, sewage gas, landfill gas)
≤1MWe QI = 238 x η power + 120 x η heat
>1 to ≤25MWe QI = 225 x η power + 120 x η heat
>25MWe QI = 182 x η power + 120 x η heat
Category B (e.g. synthesis gas)
≤1MWe QI = 275 x η power + 120 x η heat
>1 to ≤25MWe QI = 223 x η power + 120 x η heat
>25MWe QI = 191 x η power + 120 x η heat
Category C (e.g. fatty acid methyl ester, pyrolysis oil etc.)
≤1MWe QI = 226 x η power + 120 x η heat
>1 to ≤25MWe QI = 191 x η power + 120 x η heat
>25MWe QI = 171 x η power + 120 x η heat
Category D (e.g. tallow, used cooking oil)
≤1MWe QI = 226 x η power + 120 x η heat
>1 to ≤25MWe QI = 226 x η power + 120 x η heat
>25MWe QI = 171 x η power + 120 x η heat
Category E (e.g. municipal waste, sewage sludge, paper sludge etc.)
≤1MWe QI = 370 x η power + 120 x η heat
>1 to ≤25MWe QI = 370 x η power + 120 x η heat
>10 to ≤25MWe QI = 364 x η power + 120 x η heat
>25MWe QI = 220 x η power + 120 x η heat
Category F (e.g. logs, energy crops, agricultural residues etc.)
≤1MWe QI = 346 x η power + 120 x η heat
>1 to ≤10MWe QI = 347 x η power + 120 x η heat
>10 to ≤25MWe QI = 303 x η power + 120 x η heat
>25MWe to ≤50MWe QI = 220 x η power + 120 x η heat
>50MWe QI = 196 x η power + 120 x η heat
Category G (e.g. contaminated waste wood)
≤1MWe QI = 346 x η power + 120 x η heat
>1 to ≤10MWe QI = 331 x η power + 120 x η heat
>10 to ≤25MWe QI = 303 x η power + 120 x η heat
>25MWe to ≤50MWe QI = 214 x η power + 120 x η heat
>50MWe QI = 191 x η power + 120 x η heat
Category H (e.g. wood pellets, straw, clean waste wood etc.)
≤1MWe QI = 329 x η power + 120 x η heat
>1 to ≤10MWe QI = 291 x η power + 120 x η heat
>10 to ≤25MWe QI = 284 x η power + 120 x η heat
>25MWe to ≤50MWe QI = 214 x η power + 120 x η heat
>50MWe QI = 191 x η power + 120 x η heat
Category I (e.g. by-product gases produced in industrial processes)
>1MWe QI = 294 x η power + 120 x η heat
>1 to ≤25MWe QI = 221 x η power + 120 x η heat
>25MWe QI = 193 x η power + 120 x η heat
Category J (e.g. waste gases such as carbon monoxide, or waste heat such as the exhaust gas)
(from high temperature processes, or as a product of exothermic chemical reactions)
≤1MWe QI = 329 x η power + 120 x η heat
>1 to ≤25MWe QI = 299 x η power + 120 x η heat
>25MWe QI = 193 x η power + 120 x η heat
Category K (e.g. non-renewable liquid waste)
≤1MWe QI = 275 x η power + 120 x η heat
>1 to ≤25MWe QI = 260 x η power + 120 x η heat
>25MWe QI = 171 x η power + 120 x η heat

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