Cogeneration plants are often used where both electricity and heat is required, as well as acting as peak load power plants. Since cogeneration plants are highly efficient in the use of heat, their operation is supported by funding from the Combined Heat and Power Generation Act and the Renewable Energies Act (KWKG).
This support is subject to conditions that, where the plant size is 2 MW or more, require evidence in the form of an expert report. When fed into the grid, the requirements with regard to the medium-voltage directive must also be met and certified.
For the medium voltage range, certification of the plant is mandatory above an agreed connection load of 1 MVA or a connecting line of more than 2 km.
In the case of peak load power plants participating in the German Electricity Balancing Market and emergency generators, the emphasis is on reliable availability and a safe operating concept. The quality of the whole of the plant must meet the highest specifications. This applies to the technical design of the individual components, the overall system concept and the concept of periodic inspections, including status monitoring for lifetime prediction.