An Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) system is a closed thermodynamic cycle used for power production from low to medium-high temperature heat sources ranging from 80 to 400°C and for small-medium applications at any temperature level.

The advantages of the ORC system are that it performs well under partial load and, because of the low working pressures and temperatures, it is not subject to the regulations of steam equipment. ORC units are suitable for biomass CHP plants with an electrical output as small as 200 kW.

Financial analysis shows that the ORC system, including the cost of the unit plus the costs of installation and integration into the process, will cost approximately 4.8 Million USD. The payback period is 4 years.

Additionally, ORCs eliminate the need for full-time plant operators because they operate at lower pressures and do not need water chemistry maintenance. However, working fluid cost, decomposition, temperature limits are an organic Rankine cycle's primary disadvantages.