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Cooling, Heating, and Power (CHP) is a promising technology for increased energy efficiency through the use of distributed electric and thermal energy delivery systems at or near end-user sites. CHP systems would promote energy reliability and self-sufficiency for many industrial and agricultural applications. In a joint effort among Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) a new demonstration site called Micro Cooling, Heating, and Power (Micro-CHP) and Bio-Fuel Center has been established at Mississippi State University. This Center will add new capabilities for the development and optimal use of CHP packages for energy conservation, efficiency, and reliability. The Center will develop CHP systems suitable for agricultural, residential, and small commercial buildings. In addition, the Center will develop and validate design tools for CHP applications and educate the public on the benefits of CHP systems.

The biomass generated in the region is a candidate energy source to fuel different types of engines for CHP systems. Bio-fuels can be produced from sources such as animal wastes and wood byproducts. However, during biomass fuel production, contaminants are present in the bio-fuels. A Center objective is to evaluate the performance of micro-CHP systems with simulated bio-fuels. Bio-fuels with various levels of contaminants will be simulated in the laboratory to evaluate the impact on micro-CHP system performance and on the exhaust gas emissions. Thus, micro-CHP systems may expand the growing biomass-based economy in Mississippi and the Southeast. The Micro-CHP and Bio-Fuel Center will focus on the three action areas of the micro-CHP Technologies Roadmap (2003): demonstration, education, and research.