Unlike conventional combined heat and power (CHP) applications, micro-CHP produces relatively small amounts of heat and electricity.

FORBES: Micro-CHP Called 'Critical' to UK's Energy Future

By contrast, micro-CHP systems are typically sized to produce heat and power for a modestly sized home.

FORBES: Micro-CHP Called 'Critical' to UK's Energy Future

The heat is supplied by sources that range from waste-to-energy facilities and biomass boilers to micro-CHP fuel cells and solar-thermal arrays.

FORBES: Distributed Energy Delivers Big, Green Results in London

Replacing one million boilers with micro-CHP units by 2020 would cut emissions by about 2.1 million tons of CO2 by 2020.

FORBES: Micro-CHP Called 'Critical' to UK's Energy Future

The new analysis considers how micro-CHP could dramatically reduce household emissions in the UK by replacing condensing boilers in the residential heating sector.

FORBES: Micro-CHP Called 'Critical' to UK's Energy Future

Micro-CHP encompasses a spectrum of energy technologies that produce heat (which can be used for space heating and hot water) and electric power simultaneously.

FORBES: Micro-CHP Called 'Critical' to UK's Energy Future

The industry is convinced that the installation of over 1 million micro-CHP units in the UK by 2020 is an achievable and credible aspiration, but that the right Government support will be key to making this happen.

FORBES: Micro-CHP Called 'Critical' to UK's Energy Future