Market Trends of UK Combined Heat And Power (CHP) Industry
Commercial and Transportation Segment is Expected to have as Significant Share in the Market
- In the commercial end-user segment, the Combined Heat, and Power (CHP) systems are typically installed at hotels, supermarkets, office buildings, sports centers, hospitals, data centers, and shopping centers, providing energy independence and security. As these systems are relatively larger, and noise is a lesser concern, commercial systems are primarily internal combustion engine CHPs with higher electrical efficiency. However, with falling costs and the rising efficiency of fuel cell technology, fuel cell-based CHP systems are also becoming increasingly adopted by commercial end-users.
- The hydrogen-based fuel cell (CHP) technology is an area of the automotive industry that is becoming increasingly essential as manufacturers commit to developing this type of power train. Like electric cars, hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are classed as ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) since water vapor is the only substance that comes from the exhaust.
- The commercial end-user segment in the United Kingdom is expected to witness a notable adoption of CHP systems due to the developments and the rising applications in commercial buildings, offices, hotels, hospitals, etc., during the forecast period.
- Supermarkets are one of the major end-users of commercial CHP systems, which most of the total energy consumption in supermarkets is from refrigeration, lighting, and HVAC systems, with refrigeration responsible for nearly 1/3rd of the total energy consumption. As the energy requirement in the retail sector is significantly lower during non-operational hours and subject to seasonal variations, commercial CHP systems need to be sized accordingly to match demand spikes. In supermarkets, CHP systems (usually based on ICEs) are installed directly in loco, which could cover both electricity and heat loads, or at least a part of them.
- The construction activity around the country has also been increasing in recent times. According to the Office of National Statistics, the total value of of new orders for construction in the private commercial sector increased to about USD 17,960 million in 2022, an increase of around 35% compared to 2020. These are likely to surge the growth of CHP systems in the country during the forecast period.
- Therefore, owing to the above-mentioned points, commercial and transportation segment is expected to have a significant share in the United Kingdom's combined heat and power (CHP) market during the forecast period.
Understand The Key Trends Shaping This Market
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Increasing Natural Gas Price is Expected to Restrain the Market Demand
- Natural Gas is one of the essential sources of energy, and the utilization of natural gas in gas engines is characterized by the lowest carbon dioxide emissions levels of all fossil fuels, which is in line with the United Kingdom's goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, according to the United Kingdom's Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy, using natural gas as a fuel for Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units reduce nitrogen oxide emissions and virtually contains no sulfur or contaminants.
- Factors such as circumstances, such as soaring demand for natural gas in Asia and South America, diminished gas supply from Russia to the European markets due to the invasion of Russia on Ukraine, low gas stocks, and a series of breakdowns at various electrical facilities, consumers in the United Kingdom faced a significant increase in gas prices. Consumers, utility companies, and businesses using CHP units dependent on natural gas are impacted.
- The primary cause of the natural gas price rise has been a surge in the wholesale price of natural gas globally. Domestic supply covers approximately 40% of the United Kingdom's needs. At the same time, the rest is imported from neighboring countries, such as Norway and the Netherlands. Further, afield in Qatar and the United States, and Russia supplies around 5% of the United Kingdom market.
- According to Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES), the United Kingdom had around 2,016 CHP sites in 2021, witnessing a decrease of 236 combined heat and power (CHP) areas compared to 2020.
- Moreover, In February 2022, Russia's invasion of Ukraine in a horrific escalation of a war that started in February 2022 further spiked the natural gas prices. In March 2022, the Natural Gas spot prices in the United Kingdom were 511 pence/therm witnessing an increase of 139% as compared to the previous year. Further, according to Office for National Statistics (UK), in 2022, the average consumer price index for gas in the United Kingdom stood at 164.7 index points.
- Thus, owing to the above points, increasing natural gas prices will likely hamper the combined heat and power (CHP) market in the United Kingdom during the forecast period.
