1.4 METHODOLOGY The present research aims to answer the question of to what extent and in what way the technology of combined heat and power generation can give a solution to the problem of harmful emissions in Greece. This research uses as input, cogeneration technologies, the urgent environmental need for pollution control and the cogeneration potential of Greece. The empirical research method is a class of research method in which empirical observations or data are collected in order to answer particular research questions. In this investigation relevant literature will also be reviewed. Therefore, since all of the aforementioned methods constitute the key ideas of empirical research, the approach method to be used is the empirical.
The environmental advantages of cogeneration arise from data, observation and assumption of what is likely to happen if cogeneration systems are to be used in Greek power plants. This investigation is going to predict a causal relation to the cogeneration theory, based on the higher efficiency and on the decreased use of fossil fuels that the plants might achieve using this specific technology. Thus, based on the cogeneration theories of higher efficiency and the decreased use of fossil fuels, the research is going to follow the structure of predicting a casual relation to the aforementioned theories. As a result, it seem obvious that this is a deductive research. During recent years there has been an active response from competent authorities and private energy sectors towards cogeneration and thus some serious attempts have been made to promote CHP technologies. Therefore, there is data-though limited- available that can be used to confirm CHP theories relative to the environmental advantages that arise and consequently, the research can be characterised as inductive as well. Byman (1989) states that “survey research entails the collection of data on a number of units [‌], with a view to collecting systematically a body of quantifiable data in respect of a number of variables which are then examined to discern patterns of associationâ€?. The type of design to be used is survey, as the investigation relative to the environmental advantages emerges basically from data and information that are qualitative, such as CHP technology. Furthermore, the research is going to be neither experimental nor a case study, but the output
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