Kiturami Boiler said on the 18th that it has strengthened its push into the North American market by exporting a 200 kW-class micro combined heat and power (CHP) system to the United States.
The United States has faced repeated risks of large-scale blackouts as power demand has surged due to continued heat waves, aging power infrastructure, and the expansion of electric vehicles and AI data centers. In this environment, distributed generation systems that produce electricity and heat on-site without relying on the central grid are emerging as a practical alternative.
The Kiturami micro CHP uses natural gas as fuel to generate electricity and recycles the heat produced in the process for heating, hot water, and cooling, raising energy efficiency to as high as 85%. It is seen as an integrated energy solution that simultaneously meets power, cooling, heating, and emergency power needs while significantly reducing energy loss compared with central power generation.
The system employs a high-efficiency gas engine based on Hyundai Motor's CNG engine. By combining engine technology proven in the global market with Kiturami's heat management and control technology, it delivers both stable output and low emissions.
Because power is generated directly inside the building, it can supply electricity even when the external grid fails, making it highly useful for facilities where power stability is crucial, such as hospitals, data centers, and public facilities. It can also replace peak-time electricity use with on-site generation, offering expected operating cost savings.
Kiturami plans to ramp up its push into the global market, spurred by recently obtaining certification from the North American safety testing organization (UL). Starting with the 200 kW class, the company will pursue certification for models of various capacities while simultaneously developing LPG-fueled products, with a strategy to expand applications to commercial buildings, public facilities, and multi-family dwellings. It is also advancing technology so the system can serve as an "energy hub" that complements output variability by linking with renewable energy such as solar and wind.
It is competitive in terms of emissions as well. Using natural gas results in fewer pollutants than coal or oil, and nitrogen oxides have been reduced to 10 ppm or less. It is designed to allow future application of hydrogen-blended fuel, securing scalability for the carbon-neutral era.
A Kiturami Boiler official said, "Exports to the United States are significant in that Korean-style distributed generation technology has been recognized as a practical solution to global power problems," adding, "Starting with the U.S. market, we will expand high-efficiency, low-carbon distributed generation solutions and lead the energy transition."