Internal Combustion Engines offer significant advantages over external combustion in many applications, particularly automotive where there is a need for rapid variation in power output, which can be achieved by changing the fuel supply rate. 

However, for continuous operation with extended service intervals, as required for domestic heating systems, the challenges facing ICE are formidable; until recently it was considered that the cost of the components required to achieve the appropriate emissions reduction, sound attenuation, efficiency and reliability parameters would be excessive.  Early products, based on automotive ICE technology, operated with some success in niche applications, but were unable to overcome these technical challenges and were beset with high service and operating costs. 

The products mentioned below, however, have primarily been developed for long life with relatively low service intervention and incorporate a range of features aimed at achieving the performance desirable for domestic and small commercial applications.  They are divided into three nominal power ranges, 1kWe, 5kWe and 10kWe matching applications including typical family homes, guest houses and commercial buildings respectively.  Click on the image for the range you are interested in.

For further discussion of the relative merits of these engine types see section on papers, or check out the definitive book on micro CHP technologies.

Page updated 1st January 2015