The UK should see the introduction of new 'green' micro combined-heat-and-power (CHP) boilers by 2008 from the Baxi Group - following the launch of a new Free Piston Stirling Engine (FPSE) venture - with Microgen Engine Corporation, involving Baxi and a number of other heating technology companies.
MicroCHP (mCHP) boilers allow houses to become mini-power stations in their own right, generating 1kW electrical power to run household appliances, while providing space heating and hot water. At off peak times, when demand for electricity in the home is low, any surplus electricity generated can be exported back into the National Grid.
It is estimated that the new mCHP device could reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by more than 1 tonne per household per year (the average CO2 emissions from a UK household is around 7 tonnes per year). Fuel bills are also likely to be lower with actual savings dependant on the running time of the unit but typically in the region of more than £160 per annum.
The new consortium backing Microgen Engine Corporation (MEC) is made up of Baxi Group and other key players in the European heating market, with equity backing from all parties including the Dutch group Exerion and Sunpower Inc.
The basic FPSE design comes from Sunpower Inc. who have a vast experience and pedigree in the development of Stirling Engines for a variety of applications. The new consortium will work together to develop and manufacture one Free Piston Stirling Engine unit specifically for use in a microCHP boiler. In tandem Baxi Group Research & Development teams are working on applying this technology to create a range of microCHP products which will be compact and suitable for installing in a wall mounted position, in similar locations in a home as a conventional boiler.
Baxi Group Chief Executive Mark Edwards said: "There will be a seismic shift in the way homes are heated and powered within three years. Across Europe, we are leading the race towards commercial, home renewable and microCHP total heating systems. We are investing in a range of emerging technologies, so that our customers are able to choose from the best, most reliable, integrated heating systems. "
Baxi Group already offers solar thermal heating packages for domestic hot water, Baxi "Solarflo", ground source heat pumps Baxi "Geoflo" and biomass boilers to offer a comprehensive range of microgeneration products in the UK.
The new microCHP product will feature over 1kW electrical output and a range of heating outputs up to 36 kW, and will be capable of modulating down to under 4kW of thermal output optimising efficiency and power generation.
Following the UK launch products are likely to be rolled out in Germany, Netherlands Spain and Italy in the first quarter of 2010. The new microCHP boiler will join an increasing range of other promising new boiler technologies such as fuel cells and internal combustion engines, which are currently available or under development by Baxi Group and its partners.
