WHP Vs. CHP Fact Sheet - Heat is Power

FACT SHEET

WHP converts, recovers, or recycles otherwise wasted heat from industrial processes to generate electricity or mechanical power, requiring no additional fuel and generating zero emissions.
WHP is a stand-alone add-on unit; it harnesses heat through technology that is normally added after the existing facility is commissioned. WHP is independent of the primary industrial process of the facility.
According to a 2021 study by ICF International, WHP systems offer a comparable emissions profile to wind and solar but due to their ability to run nearly 24/7, can provide greater annual emissions reduction than a comparable capacity solar or wind system.

CHP burns fuel to generate electricity simultaneously or sequentially or to provide mechanical shaft power in combination with producing steam and/or thermal energy.
CHP is an integrated system, and its primary purpose is to produce both thermal energy and electricity.
CHP systems can be structured as zero emission if renewable fuels are used; whereas WHP is inherently zero emission since the source of power is always waste heat.

WHP can say YES to the following zero-emission criteria!
Technology does not combust a fuel for the purpose of creating electricity.
Fuel source to produce electricity is waste heat.
No incremental greenhouse gases are released in the process of generating electricity.
Does not require a Title V permit or similar air quality permits¹ for a system (no need for Clean Air Act New Source Review).
¹ May require an administrative change or minor modification
to an existing permit depending on the state.

20 States consider WHP to be a renewable resource eligible for a Tier 1 renewable portfolio standard and CHP to be an efficiency resource eligible for Tier 2.
WHP has a distinctly different tax code definition from CHP.
WHP has a distinctly different Energy Independence and Security Act definition from CHP.
Federally, renewables receive a 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC).
WHP historically received a 30% ITC.

CHP historically received a 10% ITC; but it was increased to 30% in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act for 2 years.

- After 2025 only Clean Electricity Investment and Production Tax Credits will be available to zeroemission technologies on a technology-neutral basis.

Generate power on-site, eliminating the need for transmission and associated line losses.
Can be a reliable source of 24/7 baseload power for manufacturing and other industrial facilities; has capability to achieve a high-capacity factor.
Potentially provide excess electricity where electricity is delivered to the grid or used for the industrial process onsite.
Serve as decarbonizing technologies that reduce emissions from the industrial sector.