polygeneration
/ˌpɒlɪˈdʒɛnəˌreɪʃən/ · pol·y·gen·er·a·tion
noun
- The integrated production of multiple forms of energy—such as electricity, heat, and cooling—from a single system or process. The campus installed a polygeneration plant that supplies electricity, hot water, and chilled air to all its buildings.
- A broader concept of simultaneous generation of various useful outputs (e.g., power, steam, and chemicals) from a common resource. Polygeneration of bio‑fuels and biogas is being explored to improve the sustainability of agricultural waste processing.
Synonyms
combined heat and powercogenerationtrigenerationmultigenerationintegrated energy systemenergy co‑productioncombined energy generationco‑generation
Antonyms
Did you know? The term gained prominence in the 1970s when engineers sought ways to boost energy efficiency by capturing waste heat for heating and cooling, leading to the modern concept of polygeneration plants.