Page 184 - Sustainable On-Site CHP Systems Design, Construction, and Operations

CHAPTER 10

The Engineering Process

Lucas B. Hyman

Kyle Landis

hen a well-thought-out thoroughly vetted CHP study shows an attractive
rate of return or that CHP has the lowest life-cycle cost, the next step is to
Wbegin preparing the construction documents (i.e., plans and specifications).
Key decisions are made during the design process, which will affect every aspect of
the project from cost to appearance to function to performance. Architects, contrac-
tors, and owners, as well as engineers need to understand thoroughly the engineering
process, so that each participant contributes their needed part to the design process
effectively.
Engineering includes mechanical, electrical, and structural engineering. If a new
building is needed, the design effort will also include architecture and civil engineer-
ing and possibly landscape architecture. Additionally, most projects will require a
code compliance specialist (especially for permitting and air quality applications)
and project cost estimators. Large projects also often require value engineering, con-
struction managers, commissioning specialist, and/or other third-party review of the
ongoing design.
Even when the basic CHP design concepts are fairly simple, coordinating all of the
details as well as the different engineering disciplines can sometimes be complicated
and challenging. It is, therefore, very important that the selected engineering team
members not only thoroughly understand the design process but also have CHP design
experience. This CHP engineering team’s design knowledge and experience on suc-
cessful projects is the key factor, which ensures a successful CHP project.
As discussed in previous chapters and as shown in Fig. 1-3 in Chap. 1, there are a
variety of components and systems that need to work together in order to achieve a
well-functioning sustainable CHP system. Key decisions regarding CHP type and size
and system type and configuration should have been at least conceptually developed
during the study phase.
This chapter addresses the selection of the most qualified engineering team, the
most cost-effective and efficient engineering design approach, and other key CHP
design issues. It also discusses some of the important intangibles that go into developing
a successful CHP design package.

157