Benchmark testing of Micro-CHP units

Micro-CHP units are most likely on their way to replace conventional boilers in home installations. The production of electricity in parallel to the generation of heat yields an economic benefit for the user as well as fossil fuel consumption and CO2-emissions are lowered. In order to evaluate the performance of existing Micro-CHP units, laboratory tests were conducted at Reutlingen University. In detail, the SenerTec “Dachs”, the SOLO Stirling 161 Micro-CHP unit, the PowerPlus Technologies ecopower unit and the Micro-CHP SM5A by Stirling Denmark, which is designed for Biogas, were investigated. Besides many tests, both steady and unsteady state, benchmark tests with regard to the regulation of the German environmental label “Der Blaue Engel” were part of the evaluation, and the results are presented in the paper. In conclusion, the potential as well as the drawback of each unit is revealed.