Reading Passage

Cogeneration electricity is a cooperative process of generating electrical power and heat through the use of natural gas, biomass, or other fuel sources. A cogeneration system involves the simultaneous production of two forms of energy, typically electricity and heat. Typically, the cogeneration system operates by burning the fuel in a gas engine or turbine to produce electricity, with the exhaust and other by-products used to generate thermal energy such as steam or hot water.

Cogeneration is a more efficient form of energy production than the traditional power plant. While traditional power plants waste a majority of the energy produced from combustion, with cogeneration, much of the energy is used productively. This results in lower costs for producing electricity as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, for sites with multiple energy needs, cogeneration can provide a reliable and economic alternative to grid-supplied electricity and natural gas.

Questions

1. What are typical sources of energy for a cogeneration system? A. Natural gas, biomass, and other fuel sources

2. What happens when a traditional power plant produces energy? A. A majority of the energy is wasted.

3. Why can cogeneration provide an economic alternative to grid-supplied electricity? A. It is more efficient and results in lower costs for producing electricity.