As each clients power needs vary, there is no one cost answer. An open cycle system reduces energy costs on average at 30% from the cost of peak grid power. A co-generation & tri-generation system reduces energy cost on average by 75% from the cost of peak power and replaced heating costs. After the cost of capital is included, the total savings can range from 20% to over 50%, a full energy audit from Optimal will outline the potential costs & savings to each client.

Costs in recent years have been rising due to the investment that has been needed to upgrade and maintain the distribution network of electricity. This investment has been driven not by an increase of overall consumption of electricity, but rather peak demand. Peak demand refers to the maximum power required at any one time, often caused by an extreme weather event, for example on hot days where use of air conditioning would reach a maximum.

Natural gas is the lowest emitting fossil fuel, often up to 42% less than coal fired power. Using natural gas in a micro turbine (which is the cleanest burning engine) also emits much lower NOx’s and SOx’s. Also using the waste heat to replace fuel that would have been consumed in heating and cooling applications further increases the environmental benefits of natural gas over coal.

Most of our systems are fuelled by natural gas, but they can also be powered by bio-gas, land fill gas, hydrogen, LPG and diesel.