PowerAire's Micro-Combined Scalable Cooling, Heat and Power System for Commercial, Industrial or Home Applications

CHP plus Split-System Cooling - Continuous Independent Power with a PowerAire Trigeneration Unit

Executive Summary: The PowerAire system offers continuous power generation powered by natural gas or propane. With its built-in inverter and battery bank, it can also take advantage of solar and wind inputs to augment the system. A major benefit is the unit’s ability to handle both cooling and heating loads. Because it offloads the HVAC demand and serves as a scalable electricity generator – it is set apart from anything else in the commercial market. PACE Houston is pleased to make you aware of this product that is manufactured by M-Trigen and distributed by OHM International.

24 CCHP units coupled with 464 solar panels producing 144 kW power. CCHP units may be scaled up to and beyond 1MW depending on the application

24 CCHP units coupled with 464 solar panels producing 144 kW power. CCHP units may be scaled up to and beyond 1MW depending on the application

PowerAire Features

Trigeneration Plus Solar Equals Net Net Zero
  • Powered from natural gas, LNG or propane, with an on-board battery bank, ensures uninterrupted power for electricity, heating, cooling and refrigeration
  • Installs within existing HVAC infrastructure and electrical panels – grid becomes back-up
  • Whisper Quiet – Operates between 59-63 dB
  • Scalable – from small form packages to parallel installations to over 1 MW
  • AC/DC – Inputs and outputs
  • Strong 5-year limited warranty
  • Supports latest ultra-high efficiency A/C VRF (Variable Refrigerant Flow) technologies
  • Redundant electric & engine driven compression
  • Engine heat to refrigerant heat exchanger allowing heat pump operations to -15 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Inverter Based Variable Speed Power Generation
  • Additional water loop engine heat distribution for boilers or hydronic systems
  • On board heat dump
By utilizing its built-in UPS battery system and inverter to cycle on and off as needed, it does not need to run constantly to produce power. Instead it runs only long enough to recharge the battery bank, which is only run to 80% before automatically kicking in the power system to recharge and run again. It also uses the thermal heat produced during the operation of the engine to feed the heating and hot water systems. The PowerAire trigeneration unit can be connected to run using natural gas, propane or LNG, with solar or wind power being its first source of power. The unit can also sell excess power back to the grid or be networked to share excess load with nearby buildings. The multiple modes of operation are all controlled through smart devices or a building automation system such as BACnet, giving the facility director added peace of mind and ease of operation.
— M-Trigen Chief Engineer
PoweAire Trigeneration with Solar Detailed Schematic

PoweAire Trigeneration with Solar Detailed Schematic

PowerAire is Code Ready

Texas Assembly and Distribution Plant Achieves Grid Independence with M-Trigen's PowerAire Unit

Texas Assembly Plant Solar Application coupled with PowerAire Trigeneration Units

Texas Assembly Plant Solar Application coupled with PowerAire Trigeneration Units

This 30,000 SF building recently installed 24 natural gas fired mCCHP (micro combined cooling, heating and power units) which are producing:

  • Electricity: 144 kW
  • Cooling/Heating: 600 kW (170 tons)
  • Battery UPS Storage: 150 kWh
  • Solar: 144 kW

The electricity displacement is equivalent to 1 MW. The system also provides continuous automatic backup power in case of a utility power outage. 

CODE READY –ETL labeling approvals and conforms to UL Standards 1995 and 2200, ANSI Standard Z21.40.2R(2002) and are certified to CSA Standards C22.2 Nos. 100 and 236 and CGA Standards 2.17 and 2.92 R(2002).

Trigeneration units plus a 144 kW 464 panel Solar Array on an Assembly and Distribution Plant.
Trigeneration units plus a 144 kW 464 panel Solar Array on an Assembly and Distribution Plant.

Q&A

Does the unit contain a compressor?
Yes, it contains a mechanically driven a/c compressor which serves as the primary R410 refrigerant supply.
 
What does a heat pump's heat do outside of the unit?
The heat pump produces either heating or cooling depending on the need. We drive it with our a/c compressor to manage either one.

Since the unit produces both A/C and D/C power, what is DC typically used for outside the unit? 
DC Power can be used for motors or pumps.

Does propane work for all functions.  
Yes, units can be ordered in Propane or Natural Gas

What percent of a solar panel's cost is the inverter and is that portion eligible for the applicable solar ITC? Approximately 40% of a unit's cost is comprised of it's batteries and inverters. In cases where the owner chooses to install both solar and the PowerAire trigeneration unit, the solar panels can use the unit's own batteries and inverters. That portion of the unit's cost would then be eligible for a 30% solar tax credit. And that synergistic efficiency serves to reduce the cost of stand-alone solar panels.

Scalable PowerAire Units may also be used in Residential Applications for combined Cooling, Heat and Power applications

Home Application - Produces AC, DC, Heat, Cooling

Home Application - Produces AC, DC, Heat, Cooling

Solar Plus Trigeneration Home

Solar Plus Trigeneration Home

PACE Houston is pleased to make you aware of this product that is manufactured by M-Trigen and distributed by OHM International.

For further information contact Tim Crockett at PACE Houston 713-530-7922 or email him at tim@pacehouston.com

 

General Specifications

Site Questionnaire for CHP Qualification

CHP Qualification Site Questionnaire