An engineer last night explained the virtues of Combined Heat and Power — an alternative form of energy technology.

In a Town Hall meeting, Patrick Caton said CHP — using a power station or engine to produce useful heat as well as electricity — was more reliable, better for the environment and less expensive than traditional forms of energy.

Mr. Caton told the audience at the New Testament Church of God, Dundonald Street: "The main idea behind using combined heat and power it to take the waste heat from an engine combustion — capture that heat and put it to useful work.

"It increases your operational efficiency and you can even have an additional revenue system if you choose to adopt it."

Mr. Caton said the eight percent of the US' electricity production was CHP, with 60 percent in Denmark. Germany has a mandate to increase its percentage to 25 percent by 2020.

The meeting was part of the Department of Energy's series of educational community meetings throughout the summer. A full report will appear in The Royal Gazette's Business section next week.