About the Baxi Ecogen
The Baxi Ecogen is a micro combined heat and power (micro-CHP) appliance for the provision of central heating, hot water and electricity. Designed to be a practical alternative to a standard domestic boiler, the basic principles for heat generation are the same as a regular heat only boiler. The Baxi Ecogen can be used on standard S and Y plan open-vented or sealed systems.
Baxi Ecogen offers greater efficiency than a combination of a SEDBUK Band A boiler for heat and power from an electricity supplier. That's because, unlike a power station, the Baxi Ecogen makes use of the excess heat from electrical generation to provide central heating and hot water. In addition, Baxi Ecogen generates electricity locally, eliminating transmission losses.
Baxi Ecogen also generates electricity at times of peak demand so it is more likely to be used on-site, maximising carbon and cost savings.
Not only does the Baxi Ecogen help to reduce homeowner bills, electricity that doesn't get used can even be sold back to the electricity grid.
Benefits of Micro-CHP
- Does not rely on building orientation or weather conditions to generate electricity
- Generates electricity at times of peak electrical demand in the home
- Maximises greener and cheaper on-site use, helping to alleviate fuel poverty
- Reduces reliance on grid electricity
- No planning permission required
- Reduces carbon emissions
Baxi Ecogen has won Sustainability Now's Green Innovation Award, beating eight other innovative products as the one most likely to help the construction sector meet its sustainability targets.
Electrical generation
For electricity generation, the Baxi Ecogen™ uses a free piston stirling engine. This engine is heated by burning gas. The helium working fluid expands and contracts to move a piston up and down. This piston travels between a copper coil, generating up to 1kW of electricity at 50Hz single phase.
Electrical connection
The Baxi Ecogen uses a single cable connection for its own electricity consumption and for distribution of generated electricity - one three core cable provides a two way supply. There is no additional wiring required for electrical output and the Baxi Ecogen can be connected to the existing domestic electricity circuit.
The Baxi Ecogen™ generates electricity only when there is a demand for central heating or hot water. Daily trends for heating and electricity demand are well synchronised, maximising electrical production at times of peak electricity use in the home. The electrical output also follows the typical daily domestic electrical base load (0.2kW - 0.9kW), allowing maximum on-site use of generated electricity.
How Baxi Ecogen Works
The operating sequence of the Baxi Ecogen is more sophisticated than a regular boiler. At start up, a regular boiler will operate at the maximum heat output and then progressively reduce the output to match the heat demand. Baxi Ecogen does the opposite.
At start up, the Baxi Ecogen will allow only the Stirling engine to operate (3.5kW to 6kW). Baxi Ecogen constantly monitors the system temperatures and, if required, the supplementary will also operate but at minimum output (6kW Stirling engine plus 4kW supplementary = 10kW). If the Baxi Ecogen determines additional heat is required, the supplementary will operate up to maximum output (6kW Stirling engine plus 18kW supplementary =24kw).
This gives opportunity for the Stirling engine alone to fulfill low heat demands, or keeps the supplementary heating to a minimum (if required), to maximise electrical generation. A range of accessories is available to provide room, outdoor and hot water load compensation for optimum efficiency and comfort.
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