ABSTRACT
Energy cascading-the use of multiple energy products (e.g. thermal products such as steam or hot water) derived from the generation of power, is a key part of many ecoindustrial projects.1 The opportunity for energy cascading occurs because of the inefficiency of most combustion processes. The burning of fossil fuels or biomass for energy can result in large amounts of heat loss. Energy production through non-combustion processes such as by fuel cells or digestion can also release heat. Many industries over the years have taken advantage of this relationship by setting up ‘inside-the-fence’ projects that generate energy for the facilities and utilise the heat in the industry’s manufacturing process, either directly or as steam or hot water. The co-generation industry grew out of this same concept as larger power facilities were built to sell power to the powerdistribution grid and to sell thermal products to nearby industries. Related types of developments, that may convert the by-products of power production into chilled water, air conditioning or compressed air, as well as steam, heat or hot water, have been called tri-generation or power parks.
