"I hope their supposed economies of scale make this feasible -- they're selling directly against utility retail rates, perhaps there's some margin there for them -- and I also assume since they own the equipment they would pocket some tax credits. It would also create downward pressure on utilities' rates if it gained any traction."
The (traditional) electric companies are pricing themselves right out of business. Here in CT we are staring at an 80% increase in our commercial electric bills in the next 9 months.
I am thinking about writing a letter to this company and seeing what they could do on a commercial level. Obviously they probably do not have the efficiency needed to run a "factory"... but for many small "shops" and offices here in CT this would be a VERY worthwhile thing to look into and an east sell.
A customer of mine just figured out that he'll save money powering his business (30 employees) off of a diesel generator....he'll get ROI in anywhere from 18 to 20 months down the road. The generator cost him $12,000.00
I'm here in CT, too. Sickening, eh?
Cogeneration works because he gets the waste heat from the generator. A local "Y" has a cogeneration system. They heat the swimming pool water from waste heat from the Natural Gas generator set.
A welding company uses diesel powered welder/generators and runs the coolant through fancoils to heat their shops.
http://www.aegisenergyservices.com/
http://www.tecogen.com/cogen.htm
http://www.cogeneration.net/Cogeneration.htm