The Department of Energy received funding to establish regional Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnerships (CHP TAPs). These CHP TAPs will accelerate deployment of 40 GW of new combined heat and power (CHP) by helping remove market and non-market barriers.

Combined heat and power is an efficient and clean approach to generating electric power and useful thermal energy from a single fuel source. Instead of purchasing electricity from the distribution grid and burning fuel in an on-site furnace or boiler to produce thermal energy, an industrial or commercial facility can use CHP to provide both energy services in one energy-efficient step. While CHP has been in use in the United States in some form or another for more than 100 years, it remains an underutilized resource today.

The regional CHP TAPs will play a critical role in overcoming these barriers by providing critical education and outreach and technical assistance on CHP to stakeholders. CHP is a clean energy solution that addresses a number of national priorities, including improving the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing, increasing energy efficiency, reducing emissions, enhancing the energy infrastructure, improving energy security and growing our economy. The Energy Department will make up to $1.5 million available in fiscal year 2013 for selection of up to eight awards and, subject to congressional appropriations, the department plans to make an additional $9.5 million available in fiscal years 2014, 2015 and 2016 to fully fund these projects, which will take 4 years to complete.