The global micro combined heat and power (Micro-CHP) industry is experiencing rapid growth as a key component of distributed energy systems, providing both electricity and heat from a single source, increasing efficiency, and reducing carbon emissions. Here are the top 10 companies at the forefront of this innovative technology, leading in development, commercialization, and deployment worldwide:
1)Viessmann Group Company Snapshot
- Founded: 1917
- Headquarters: Allendorf (Eder), Germany
- Website:www.viessmann.com
- Employees: Approximately 13,000 (as of 2023)
- Industry: Heating, Industrial, and Refrigeration Systems
- Regions Served: Global presence in 74 countries
Key Products in Micro CHP:
- Vitovalor PT2 (fuel cell-based)
- Vitotwin 300-W (Stirling engine-based)
Revenue:
- €3.4 billion (2022)
Company Overview: Viessmann Group is a leading international manufacturer of heating, industrial, and refrigeration systems. In the micro-CHP market, Viessmann has been a pioneer, offering both fuel cell and Stirling engine-based solutions. Their micro-CHP units are designed for residential and small commercial applications, providing both heat and electricity efficiently.
Viessmann’s approach to micro-CHP aligns with their overall strategy of promoting sustainable and energy-efficient solutions. They have partnered with other technology leaders, such as Panasonic, to develop advanced fuel cell systems. The company has a strong focus on research and development, continuously improving their micro-CHP offerings to meet evolving market demands and environmental regulations.
Viessmann’s global presence and comprehensive product portfolio position them as a significant player in the micro-CHP market, particularly in Europe where the technology has seen wider adoption due to supportive policies and a focus on decentralized energy production.
Recent developments include:
- Expanded heat pump production capacity significantly, investing over €1 billion in new production facilities.
- Introduced new hydrogen-ready boilers, preparing for the potential shift towards hydrogen in the gas network.
- Partnered with Shell to develop green hydrogen solutions, integrating renewable energy into their heating systems.
- Launched the Vitocharge VX3, a new energy management system that optimizes the use of self-generated electricity.
2)BDR Thermea Group Company Snapshot
- Founded: 2009 (from merger of Baxi Group and De Dietrich Remeha Group)
- Headquarters: Apeldoorn, Netherlands
- Website:www.bdrthermea.com
- Employees: Approximately 6,500 (as of 2023)
- Industry: Heating and Hot Water Solutions
- Regions Served: Global presence in over 100 countries
Key Products in Micro CHP:
- Baxi Ecogen (Stirling engine-based)
- SenerTec Dachs (reciprocating engine-based)
Revenue:
- Approximately €1.8 billion (2021 estimate, exact figures not publicly disclosed)
Company Overview: BDR Thermea Group is a leading manufacturer of smart thermal comfort solutions. The company was formed in 2009 through the merger of Baxi Group and De Dietrich Remeha Group, bringing together centuries of expertise in heating technology.
In the micro-CHP market, BDR Thermea has been innovative, offering solutions through its various brands. The Baxi Ecogen, which uses Stirling engine technology, was one of the first wall-hung micro-CHP units for the residential market. Through its subsidiary SenerTec, the company also offers the Dachs, a robust micro-CHP system popular in commercial and multi-residential applications.
BDR Thermea Group has shown a strong commitment to sustainable heating solutions, including micro-CHP. They’ve been actively involved in developing and promoting hydrogen-ready boilers, which could play a significant role in future micro-CHP systems. The company’s global presence, diverse brand portfolio, and focus on innovation position them as a major player in the evolving micro-CHP market, particularly in Europe where they have a strong market share.
Recent developments include:
- Acquired Factorytherm to strengthen their industrial heating portfolio, complementing their micro-CHP offerings.
- Launched new high-efficiency heat pumps under various brand names, expanding their sustainable heating solutions.
- Developed hydrogen boiler technology, with successful trials in real-world settings in the Netherlands and UK.
- Introduced new remote diagnostics and predictive maintenance services for their heating systems.
3)Vaillant Group Company Snapshot
- Founded: 1874
- Headquarters: Remscheid, Germany
- Website:www.vaillant-group.com
- Employees: Approximately 16,000 (as of 2023)
- Industry: Heating, Cooling and Renewable Energy Systems
- Regions Served: Present in over 60 countries, with a strong focus on Europe
Key Products in Micro CHP:
- ecoPOWER 1.0 (gas engine-based)
- ecoPOWER 4.7 (larger output for commercial applications)
Revenue:
- €3.3 billion (2022)
Company Overview: Vaillant Group is a global market and technology leader in the fields of heating, cooling and renewable energy systems. Founded in 1874 by Johann Vaillant, the company has a long history of innovation in heating technology.
In the micro-CHP market, Vaillant has been a significant player, particularly with its ecoPOWER series. These units use a gas-powered internal combustion engine to generate both heat and electricity, making them suitable for residential and small commercial applications. The ecoPOWER 1.0, designed for single-family homes, and the larger ecoPOWER 4.7 for multi-family homes or commercial use, showcase Vaillant’s range in this sector.
Vaillant Group has demonstrated a strong commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency. Their micro-CHP offerings align with this focus, providing high-efficiency solutions that reduce primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions compared to traditional heating systems.
The company’s extensive research and development efforts, coupled with its strong market presence in Europe, position Vaillant as a key player in the micro-CHP market. They continue to innovate in this space, exploring new technologies and improving existing ones to meet the evolving demands of energy-efficient heating and power generation.
Recent developments include:
- Invested heavily in expanding heat pump production, aiming to triple capacity by 2025.
- Launched new digital services for remote system monitoring and predictive maintenance of heating systems.
- Developed and began testing hydrogen-compatible heating systems, including updates to their micro-CHP offerings.
- Introduced the sensoHOME smart thermostat, enhancing the efficiency of their heating systems including micro-CHP units.
4)Micro CHP
Employee count: Approximately 20,000 worldwide
Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Revenue: Approximately ¥1.5 trillion (US$11.5 billion) in fiscal year 2020
Key product: Micro combined heat and power (micro-CHP) systems
Recent development:
- Yanmar has been actively developing and expanding its micro-CHP business. In recent years, the company has launched several new micro-CHP models and has expanded its sales and distribution network globally. Additionally, Yanmar has been investing in research and development to improve the efficiency and reliability of its micro-CHP systems.
- Yanmar’s micro-CHP systems are designed to provide both electricity and heat to commercial and industrial buildings. These systems are highly efficient and can help businesses reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint. Yanmar’s micro-CHP systems are available in a variety of sizes and configurations to meet the needs of different customers.
- Overall, Yanmar is a well-established and reputable company in the micro-CHP market. The company has a strong track record of innovation and is committed to providing its customers with high-quality, reliable products.
5)Ceres Power Holdings
Website: www.cerespower.com
Region: Global (technology provider)
Headquarters: Horsham, United Kingdom
Employee count: Approximately 500
Key product: Steel Cell fuel cell technology for micro-CHP
Ceres Power is a fuel cell technology company that partners with OEMs to develop micro-CHP systems.
Recent developments include:
- Expanded partnership with Bosch for large-scale production of fuel cell systems based on Ceres’ technology.
- Strengthened collaboration with Weichai Power for fuel cell systems in the Chinese market, particularly for transportation applications.
- Developed solid oxide electrolysis (SOEC) technology for green hydrogen production, expanding their technology portfolio.
- Progressed with plans to build a new manufacturing facility in the UK to scale up production of their fuel cell technology.
6)Aisin Corporation
Website: www.aisin.com
Region: Global, with a focus on Asia and North America
Headquarters: Kariya, Japan
Employee count: Over 120,000 (entire group)
Key product: COREMO micro-CHP system
Aisin, part of the Toyota Group, manufactures automotive components and energy solutions, including micro-CHP systems.
Recent developments include:
- Expanded fuel cell system production capacity, particularly for their COREMO micro-CHP system.
- Developed next-generation electric drive units, leveraging synergies between their automotive and energy divisions.
- Collaborated on solid-state battery technology development, which could have future applications in energy storage for micro-CHP systems.
- Launched new, more efficient versions of their COREMO micro-CHP system with improved power output and reduced emissions.
7)Panasonic Corporation
Website: www.panasonic.com
Region: Global
Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Employee count: Approximately 240,000 (entire group)
Key product: Ene-Farm fuel cell micro-CHP system
Panasonic offers a range of energy solutions, including the Ene-Farm micro-CHP system for residential use.
Recent developments include:
- Launched a new generation of Ene-Farm fuel cells with improved efficiency and reduced cost for residential use.
- Expanded their smart home energy management systems, integrating micro-CHP control with other home energy devices.
- Developed RE100 solutions for sustainable manufacturing, which includes the use of their own micro-CHP systems in their facilities.
- Partnered with several Japanese utilities to promote and distribute their Ene-Farm systems more widely.
8)SOLIDpower S.p.A.
Website: www.solidpower.com
Region: Europe and North America
Headquarters: Mezzolombardo, Italy
Employee count: Approximately 200
Key product: BlueGEN micro-CHP fuel cell system
SOLIDpower specializes in high-temperature fuel cell technology for micro-CHP applications.
Recent developments include:
- Expanded production capacity for their BlueGEN fuel cell micro-CHP systems in both Italy and Germany.
- Launched a new generation of BlueGEN units with improved electrical efficiency, now exceeding 60%.
- Collaborated with several European utilities for field trials of micro-CHP systems in residential and small commercial applications.
- Developed new power electronics for their systems, improving grid integration and power quality.
9)2G Energy AG
Website: www.2-g.com
Region: Europe, North America, and Asia
Headquarters: Heek, Germany
Employee count: Over 700
Key product: g-box micro-CHP systems
2G Energy AG specializes in the development and production of CHP systems, including micro-CHP units.
Recent developments include:
- Introduced hydrogen-ready CHP systems, allowing for flexible fuel use as the energy transition progresses.
- Expanded their international sales and service network, particularly in North America and Asia.
- Launched a new digital platform for remote monitoring and optimization of CHP systems, including their micro-CHP units.
- Developed new biogas-compatible micro-CHP systems for agricultural applications.
10)EC POWER A/S
Website: www.ecpower.eu
Region: Europe
Headquarters: Hinnerup, Denmark
Employee count: Approximately 100
Key product: XRGI micro-CHP systems
EC POWER is a Danish manufacturer specializing in micro-CHP systems for commercial and residential applications.
Recent developments include:
- Launched new XRGI micro-CHP models with improved electrical and overall efficiency.
- Expanded partnerships with European energy utilities for wider deployment of their systems.
- Developed AI-driven control systems for optimized energy production and consumption in buildings with micro-CHP.
- Introduced a new compact model designed specifically for residential applications in urban areas.
