Gas-based combined heat and power (CHP) has matured
enough to be regarded as the next evolutionary step in
promoting energy efficiency use in the urban environment.
Although its potential market is increasing, little research
has been conducted into the combined technical effects that
a high penetration of these units may have on both natural
gas and electric (G&E) distribution networks. This paper
presents a power flow tool that performs a simultaneous
assessment on some technical impacts that a high
penetration of heat-driven cogeneration units may have on
G&E networks. A case study is presented and results show
that as expected, the gas demand increases as well as the
losses associated with its delivery, while the opposite effects
occur in the electrical system. However, less evident is the
load profile variations distribution networks will experience
and that overall energy losses will vary according to the
CHP penetration and the type of technology used. The study
shows that an integrated G&E analysis offers a fresh
perspective in quantifying the effects cogeneration
technologies will have on energy distribution networks.