Cogeneration

The paper industry in Wisconsin cogenerates an estimated 4,185 megawatts of electricity annually - more than the output from several power plants.

Cogeneration Means Efficiency

An important way papermakers conserve energy is with “cogeneration.” The term describes the process of producing two usable forms of thermal energy from a single generating process.

In the paper industry, for example, steam is produced and used to make electricity by spinning generating turbines. Afterward, some of the steam is used to dry newly formed paper. Using high and low pressure steam, produced from one generating process to do two jobs, is much more efficient than producing it in two separate operations.

The paper industry cogenerates an estimated 4,185 megawatts of electricity annually — more than the output from several power plants — further helping reduce the amount that needs to be produced by electric-generating utilities.

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