Frequently Asked Questions

CHP works best for industrial and commercial facilities with consistent electric and thermal loads such as food processing, manufacturing, petrochemical plants and refineries, hospitals, hotels and convention centers, and data centers with thermal requirements

Utility electricity loses energy in transmission and distribution as it travels over power lines to your facility, and additional energy is wasted as heat at centralized power plants. CHP generates power onsite at the source and captures that waste heat for useful thermal loads (hot water, steam, or chilling), increasing total system efficiency to 60–85% versus roughly 35% for typical grid power.

Cogeneration is another term for CHP (Combined Heat and Power). It refers to generating electricity and thermal energy simultaneously from a single fuel source, improving total system efficiency and reducing emissions.

Combined Heat and Power (CHP), also called cogeneration, produces electricity onsite while capturing waste heat to generate usable thermal energy such as hot water, steam, or chilled water. CHP is one of the most efficient and cost-effective forms of onsite energy generation.

Yes. Microgrids can stabilize voltage, reduce harmonics, and protect sensitive equipment from surges and grid instability. This is especially important for industrial facilities, data centers, and advanced manufacturing operations.

Yes — captured waste heat offsets steam and hot water demand.

Microgrids protect against voltage sags and grid interruptions that can damage equipment or halt production lines.

Yes, fully islanded systems can be designed depending on regulatory and site conditions.

Yes — modular block designs allow capacity to scale with facility growth.

Yes — systems can be configured for export, non-export, or limited-export depending on utility requirements.

Most Unison Energy microgrids are sized to cover 80–95% of annual facility electricity consumption while maximizing savings. We can also incorporate redundancy and peak shaving depending on resiliency requirements and local utility tariffs.

Island mode means the microgrid can disconnect from the utility grid and continue operating independently during a power outage. This provides resilient onsite power for critical operations.

Unison Energy is technology-agnostic and designs systems based on each facility’s needs. Our microgrids can include CHP (cogeneration), solar, battery energy storage, and advanced controls.

A microgrid is an onsite energy system that can generate, manage, and distribute electricity independently or in parallel with the utility grid. Microgrids improve energy reliability, cost stability, and operational resilience.

No. The customer is not expected to backstop project debt; obligations are limited to the Energy Services Agreement payment terms and defined contract provisions.

Projects are typically structured through special purpose vehicles (SPVs) using infrastructure-style project finance, often combining senior debt and equity. Unison Energy incorporates available Investment Tax Credits (ITCs) and tax equity structures when applicable.

Unison Energy is supported by Tiger Infrastructure Partners, an institutional infrastructure investor with approximately $3.9 billion in assets under management, providing scalable equity capital for large data center deployments.

To qualify for Unison Energy’s ITC-backed project structure, the Energy Services Agreement (ESA) must be executed by June 30, 2028. This ensures eligibility under the applicable ITC timeline.

Yes. Unison Energy has a select number of pre–safe harbored ITCs available for qualifying projects, which can improve project economics and accelerate development timelines.

The Investment Tax Credit (ITC) is a federal incentive that can significantly reduce the cost of qualifying onsite energy infrastructure, including microgrids, CHP (cogeneration), solar, and battery storage. Unison Energy incorporates ITC benefits directly into project pricing under an Energy Services Agreement (ESA).

An FEL2 Study is a more advanced phase of front-end engineering that refines project scope, system design, equipment configuration, capital cost estimates, and execution strategy. FEL2 provides greater cost accuracy and technical definition, supporting financing decisions and preparing the project for procurement and construction.

An FEL (Front-End Loading) Study is an early-stage engineering and feasibility analysis used to evaluate the technical, economic, and permitting viability of an energy infrastructure project. It defines site conditions, load requirements, preliminary equipment selection, cost estimates, and development risks before major capital decisions are made.

Unison Energy evaluates facility load profiles, thermal demand, utility tariffs, fuel access, emissions permitting requirements, and site constructability. This ensures the project is sized correctly for maximum savings and reliability.

In many cases, CHP equipment can be installed indoors depending on local codes, ventilation, and safety requirements. Battery storage is more frequently restricted indoors due to fire safety concerns.

Solar typically requires multiple acres per megawatt of capacity, and battery energy storage systems require additional space depending on duration requirements. CHP is often the most space-efficient onsite generation option for industrial sites.

Unison Energy’s CHP systems are often containerized and can fit within a footprint similar to a shipping container. A conservative estimate is roughly 45’ x 10’ for a single CHP unit, though layouts vary by site.

Typically, Unison Energy needs 12 months of electric bills, gas bills, interval load data if available, and basic facility thermal information. Site visits help confirm layout, constructability, and equipment placement.

Most CHP and microgrid projects take 12–24 months depending on permitting, utility interconnection timelines, engineering complexity, and equipment lead times.

Unison Energy delivers a full lifecycle, turnkey solution—development, financing, engineering, construction, ownership, operations, and maintenance. This approach reduces risk and ensures long-term system performance.

Natural gas delivery infrastructure is typically underground and less vulnerable to weather-related disruptions than overhead electric transmission lines. This supports long-duration resiliency compared to grid-dependent power supply.

Unison Energy microgrids are engineered to operate in island mode during grid disruptions, with controls designed for stable operation, controlled load shedding (if required), and coordinated restoration back to grid-parallel mode.

Unison Energy aligns procurement strategy with contracted load and delivery schedules, leveraging established OEM relationships and factory acceptance testing to ensure equipment arrives ready for commissioning and integration.

Unison Energy manages schedule, procurement, and technical governance while partnering with experienced EPC contractors and OEMs. Early definition of interconnection, protection schemes, and long-lead equipment procurement reduces redesign and commissioning risk.

Unison Energy designs microgrids with redundant generation capacity and independent electrical pathways so that no single equipment failure prevents serving critical load. Redundancy philosophy is aligned to site-specific resiliency requirements and operating modes.

If the microgrid is offline for maintenance or unexpected issues, the facility continues receiving electricity from the utility grid. Unison’s O&M model is designed to minimize downtime and restore service quickly.

Yes. CHP and microgrid systems are designed to meet strict safety, electrical protection, and emissions compliance standards. Unison Energy’s systems are engineered with redundancy and operational safeguards to protect facility operations.

Unison Energy maintains defined cybersecurity policies, structured access controls, and periodic system updates aligned with OEM and industry best practices. Controls architectures are designed to evolve as cybersecurity standards and regulatory requirements change.

Yes. Remote monitoring is conducted through secure communication channels with defined access controls and escalation protocols. Access is limited to authorized personnel and governed by structured operational procedures.

Yes. Unison Energy’s controls architecture can integrate with existing SCADA, building management systems (BMS), and distributed control systems (DCS) while maintaining appropriate network segmentation and security protocols.

Yes. Where applicable, Unison Energy designs systems to meet utility interconnection standards and ISO operating requirements, including communication protocols and cybersecurity safeguards required for grid-parallel operation.

Unison Energy designs microgrid control systems using industry-standard cybersecurity practices, including secure network architecture, controlled remote access, firewalls, and role-based authentication. Controls are configured to align with utility, ISO, and customer cybersecurity requirements.

Standby charges and demand charges vary by utility and region, and Unison performs detailed tariff modeling for each project. These charges are incorporated into the economic analysis and ESA pricing.

CHP-based microgrids typically maintain savings because electricity market pricing is strongly correlated with natural gas pricing. As gas prices rise, utility electricity prices often rise as well, preserving the microgrid advantage.

Either Unison Energy or the customer can procure natural gas depending on project structure. If Unison purchases gas, it is typically passed through at cost with no markup.

Unison Energy reduces energy costs by generating electricity onsite while also producing thermal energy that offsets boiler fuel consumption. Customers also reduce exposure to rising utility transmission and distribution charges.

Under Unison Energy’s Energy as a Service (EaaS) model, the Energy Services Agreement (ESA) establishes long-term, predictable energy pricing for onsite electricity and thermal supply. Because pricing is defined contractually and based on CPI (2.5%) and largely insulated from utility transmission and distribution escalation, customers gain cost visibility and protection from long-term grid volatility.

Yes. CHP microgrids are designed to operate through temperature extremes, storms, and heat events, and they typically rely on underground natural gas infrastructure which is more resilient than overhead electric lines.

Unison Energy microgrids operate either completely islanded or in parallel with the utility grid but can switch into island mode during outages. This allows critical facilities to maintain power, thermal energy, and operational continuity during extended blackouts.

Often, CHP emissions are treated separately because Unison owns and operates the energy system. However, emissions accounting can vary by reporting framework and corporate sustainability policy.

In most cases, Unison Energy manages the emissions permitting, compliance testing, and reporting for CHP systems we own and operate. This reduces compliance burden for the customer.

Yes. Our CHP engines and turbines are positioned to integrate hydrogen and RNG as those fuels become commercially available.

Yes. Depending on local utility grid mix, a natural gas CHP microgrid can reduce carbon emissions by approximately 5-20% compared to grid power and boilers, and integrating solar or storage can drive even deeper reductions.

Yes. Unison Energy manages ongoing compliance with utility interconnection agreements, operational protocols, metering requirements, and any applicable ISO rules for grid-parallel or islanded operation.

For Unison Energy -owned systems, we oversee required emissions monitoring, recordkeeping, and reporting to regulatory authorities in accordance with applicable permits and regulations.

Yes. Unison Energy’s microgrid controls architecture is designed to be scalable and upgradeable, allowing customers to integrate future equipment expansions, repowers, and technology enhancements without disrupting operations.

Yes. Unison Energy offers long-term Operations & Maintenance agreements for customer-owned CHP and microgrid systems, including scheduled maintenance, major service events, remote monitoring, and performance reporting.

Unison Energy is responsible for maintaining contracted performance and availability, which may include major overhauls or equipment replacement as needed. This protects customers from unexpected capital costs and operational risk.

Yes. Unison Energy designs projects with long-term lifecycle planning in mind, including major maintenance events and potential repowers to support continued performance over multi-decade ESA terms.

A repower is the replacement or major upgrade of generation equipment (such as engines, turbines, or controls) to extend asset life and improve performance. Repowers help ensure long-term reliability, efficiency, and compliance as equipment ages.

Unison Energy ensures high uptime through proactive maintenance, 24/7 remote monitoring, rapid field response, and OEM-aligned service protocols. Because Unison Energy only earns revenue when our systems are operating, our incentives are fully aligned with maximizing system availability and performance.

Unison Energy maintains industry-leading average uptime of 97%+, inclusive of both planned and unplanned maintenance events. This exceeds the typical industry standard of approximately 92%, reflecting our proactive O&M model, disciplined maintenance planning, and performance-aligned ownership structure.

Yes. O&M costs are included in Unison’s delivered electricity and thermal pricing, so customers do not receive separate maintenance bills.

Under Unison Energy’s Energy as a Service model, Unison Energy is responsible for all operations and maintenance. This includes routine maintenance, major overhauls, consumables, and unplanned repairs.

Under an ESA or PPA structure where Unison Energy owns and operates the system, Unison Energy typically manages air permitting, emissions reporting, and regulatory compliance obligations. Under a customer-owned model, responsibilities can be allocated contractually based on customer preference.

Yes. Many customers deploy onsite energy infrastructure in phases, and Unison can structure contracts to support modular expansion as load grows. This is common for large campuses and data center developments.

Yes. ESA contracts can include customer purchase options at defined milestones or at contract maturity, typically based on fair market value or a pre-agreed buyout schedule.

A long-term O&M agreement is a service contract, typically 10-20 years, where Unison operates and maintains customer-owned CHP or microgrid assets. This includes preventive maintenance, major overhauls, remote monitoring, uptime management, and performance reporting.

Yes. Customers can choose a customer-owned model where Unison Energy delivers engineering, procurement, and construction management support, and the customer funds and owns the assets. Unison Energy can also provide long-term operations and maintenance under a separate services agreement.

A Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) is a contract to purchase electricity generated onsite, typically priced per kWh. An ESA is similar but can also include thermal energy (steam, hot water, chilled water) and broader microgrid services under one integrated agreement.

An ESA is Unison Energy’s primary Energy as a Service contract model where Unison designs, finances, builds, owns, operates, and maintains the onsite energy system. The customer purchases electricity and thermal energy at contracted rates without upfront capital investment.

Unison Energy offers flexible contracting models including Energy as a Service (EaaS) through an Energy Services Agreement (ESA), customer-owned project delivery with long-term O&M, and hybrid ownership structures. The right model depends on customer capital preferences, risk tolerance, and long-term energy strategy.

Yes. CHP systems are designed to produce usable thermal energy such as steam, hot water, or chilled water. This allows food and beverage facilities to offset boiler fuel consumption and support process heating and cooling requirements with a single integrated system.

Microgrids protect facilities from grid outages, voltage sags, and power quality issues that can shut down production lines or damage sensitive equipment. With island mode capability, facilities can continue operating during outages—avoiding product loss and costly downtime.

Yes. CHP systems can be integrated with absorption chillers or electric chillers to support refrigeration loads. This is especially valuable in dairy and cold storage operations where cooling is one of the largest energy expenses.

Bottling plants have high, consistent electricity demand for filling lines, conveyors, and packaging, along with thermal needs for cleaning and sterilization. CHP systems generate reliable onsite power while supplying hot water for washdown and sanitation processes—reducing both energy costs and production risk.

Food and beverage plants operate continuously and require both electricity and thermal energy for cooking, pasteurization, refrigeration, and cleaning processes. CHP (cogeneration) systems generate electricity onsite while capturing waste heat for these thermal loads, significantly improving efficiency and reducing total energy costs

Systems are designed with excess generation capacity, independent electrical paths, and N+ redundancy philosophies that allow maintenance without loss of critical load. Continuous monitoring, structured escalation protocols, and OEM-aligned maintenance further protect availability.

Unison Energy targets 99.99% availability of contracted capacity for mission-critical deployments, supported by redundant generation, redundant electrical pathways, and proactive operations and maintenance.

Yes. Unison Energy is technology- and hardware-agnostic, designing bespoke microgrid solutions that balance performance targets, site constraints, utility/ISO compliance requirements, and long-term operational preferences.

The main schedule drivers are utility and ISO interconnection approvals, long-lead equipment procurement (generation, switchgear, transformers), and natural gas service readiness. Early coordination is critical to maintaining timeline certainty.

Initial phases are typically delivered in approximately 24 months from early development through commercial operation, with subsequent phases often moving faster once permitting, interconnection, and infrastructure are established.

Data center microgrids are typically delivered in modular phases averaging ~300 MW total program size, often commissioned in 100–200 MW blocks aligned with load ramp and expansion schedules.

Unison Energy has six years of focused experience in the data center sector, including active operations and multiple years of design, procurement planning, permitting strategy, and interconnection development for large-scale natural gas–based microgrids.

Yes. For Unison Energy-owned systems, Unison manages air permitting, emissions reporting, and coordination with regulatory agencies, helping oil & gas facilities maintain compliance in highly regulated environments.

Oil & gas facilities located in grid-constrained regions face reliability and capacity limitations. Onsite energy infrastructure reduces dependence on utility interconnection and supports 24/7 operation during grid instability or extreme weather events.

Onsite synchronous generation improves voltage stability and fault current support, which is critical for starting and operating large compressor loads. Stable power also protects distributed control systems (DCS), instrumentation, and process automation from damaging disturbances.

Yes. CHP and microgrid systems can be engineered to meet applicable hazardous area classifications and site-specific safety requirements common in upstream, midstream, and petrochemical environments.

In certain configurations, CHP systems can be engineered to utilize available natural gas streams, subject to gas quality, treatment requirements, and regulatory compliance. This can improve onsite energy utilization and reduce reliance on grid electricity.

Yes. Oil & gas microgrids can be designed with black start capability and staged load restoration, enabling facilities to safely restart compressors, pumps, and process units following a full shutdown.

Yes. Microgrids can be engineered for fully islanded operation in remote upstream or midstream environments where utility infrastructure is limited, unreliable, or unavailable.

Oil & gas operations require continuous, 24/7 reliable power for compression, processing, refining, and pipeline infrastructure. These facilities also have abundant captive fuel in the form of associated gas that would otherwise be flared, giving them a low-cost, readily available generation source. Both CHP and microgrids provide onsite, dispatchable power generation that reduces outage risk and supports critical process continuity.

EaaS allows industrial clients to modernize energy infrastructure without capital investment. Unison Energy finances, builds, owns, and operates the system while delivering power and thermal energy under a long-term Energy Services Agreement (ESA).

Yes. CHP can deliver immediate efficiency-driven emissions reductions and can be designed to incorporate renewable natural gas (RNG) and hydrogen blends as fuel markets evolve.

Yes. Unison Energy provides long-term operations and maintenance services, including remote monitoring, planned maintenance, major overhauls, and uptime management to support continuous industrial operations.

Yes. For Unison Energy-owned systems, Unison Energy typically manages air permitting, compliance testing, monitoring, and required environmental reporting, reducing regulatory burden for the facility.

By reducing dependence on the utility grid and stabilizing onsite power delivery, CHP microgrids reduce the likelihood of process interruptions, voltage events, and equipment failures that can create safety risks.

Yes. Unison Energy engineers CHP systems to integrate with existing steam headers, hot water loops, and thermal systems to maximize thermal recovery and minimize disruption to plant operations.

Yes. Unison Energy designs microgrids with controls and dispatch strategies that can follow changing load profiles while optimizing fuel use, efficiency, and tariff-driven savings.

Yes. Onsite synchronous generation can improve voltage stability, reduce harmonics, and mitigate power quality disturbances that can disrupt motors, drives, compressors, and process control systems.

Microgrids improve resiliency by reducing reliance on grid power and enabling island mode operation during outages. This helps prevent unplanned shutdowns that can cause equipment damage, safety events, or costly restart cycles.

Yes. CHP systems can be engineered to deliver steam and hot water for industrial processes, offsetting existing boilers and reducing fuel and operating costs.

Heavy industrial plants run continuously at massive scale, making energy cost and reliability critical operational concerns. Cogeneration (CHP) solves both at once by simultaneously generating power and capturing waste heat for the process steam these facilities already need in large quantities, achieving system efficiencies far beyond grid power alone. Onsite microgrids also provide grid independence, allowing plants to island during outages and avoid the catastrophic production losses or safety risks an unplanned shutdown can cause. Additional drivers include the ability to combust byproduct fuel gases rather than flaring them, potential revenue from grid export, and growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions.

Yes. CHP systems are designed to integrate with existing electrical switchgear and thermal systems such as boilers, steam loops, hot water systems, and chilled water plants, minimizing disruption while modernizing energy infrastructure.

A CHP microgrid can operate continuously as long as fuel supply is available and the system is maintained, making it a long-duration resiliency solution compared to limited-runtime backup generators.

Yes. For Unison Energy-owned systems, Unison Energy typically manages air permitting, emissions testing, reporting, and ongoing compliance requirements, reducing administrative burden for hospital facility teams.

Yes. CHP systems produce thermal energy as part of generation, which can support steam, hot water, and heating loads even during utility outages—critical for infection control, sterilization, and patient comfort.

Yes. CHP microgrids provide stable onsite generation that can reduce voltage disturbances and power quality events that may impact sensitive medical equipment and building systems.

Yes. CHP reduces purchased utility electricity and offsets boiler fuel consumption by reusing waste heat, lowering total energy spend and improving long-term cost certainty under an Energy Services Agreement (ESA).

Yes. CHP-based microgrids strengthen compliance with CMS Emergency Preparedness standards by improving power continuity, supporting extended outage operations, and reducing reliance on limited-duration backup systems.

CHP provides continuous onsite generation and usable thermal recovery during normal operations, reducing energy costs year-round. Diesel generators are typically designed for emergency-only use and are not intended to serve as primary power for daily hospital operations.

Yes. CHP (cogeneration) can operate in island mode during grid outages to support continuous power for critical hospital operations, while also providing thermal energy for heating, hot water, and sterilization needs.

Yes. Through Unison Energy’s Energy as a Service model, Unison Energy finances, builds, owns, and operates the system, allowing hospitality owners to modernize energy infrastructure without using capital budgets.

Power outages can lead to lost bookings, event cancellations, and reputational damage. Onsite generation reduces outage exposure and supports continuous operations during grid disruptions.

Yes. CHP systems can supply a significant portion of domestic hot water demand and integrate with boilers, hot water loops, and chilled water systems to support central plant operations.

Microgrids can operate in parallel with the utility grid but transition into island mode during outages, allowing properties to maintain critical operations. This helps protect guest experience and prevents disruptions to events and conferences.

Hotels and conference centers have large, consistent electric and thermal loads from guest rooms, kitchens, laundry, and central plants. CHP generates onsite power while capturing waste heat for hot water and heating, improving efficiency and reducing operating costs.

Yes. Microgrids can support electric fleet charging loads while mitigating demand charge impacts and reducing the need for costly utility upgrades.

Yes. CHP generates electricity onsite while capturing waste heat, lowering overall energy costs and reducing exposure to rising transmission and demand charges.

Power disruptions at a logistics hub can delay shipments, disrupt supply chains, and impact customer commitments. Onsite energy infrastructure reduces operational risk and supports service-level performance.

Yes. Microgrids can transition into island mode and operate independently of the utility grid, supporting critical logistics operations during storms or infrastructure failures.

Onsite generation improves voltage stability and reduces exposure to grid disturbances that can damage motors, drives, and controls. This helps prevent costly shutdowns and restart delays.

Logistics hubs operate 24/7 with automated sorting, conveyor, refrigeration, and material handling systems that cannot tolerate power interruptions. Onsite CHP-based microgrids reduce outage risk and protect continuous operations.