The term cogeneration means the simultaneous production and consumption of different forms of secondary energy (electricity, mechanical energy, thermal energy) from a single source (both fossil and renewable) implemented in a single integrated system.
Cogeneration is a technology which allows to increase the overall energy efficiency, through a system of energy conversion.


The cogeneration is realized in particular thermoelectric plants, where it retrieves the hot water, steam and / or fumes produced by a prime mover powered by fossil fuel (natural gas, fuel oil, etc.). This results in a significant energy savings compared to separate production of electricity (via power plant) and thermal energy (via traditional thermal power plant).