Promotion of polygeneration for buildings applications through sector- and user-oriented “high efficiency CHP” eligibility criteria

Abstract The eligibility criteria adopted to assess polygeneration plants as “highly efficient” can play a determinant role in favouring or discouraging the market growth of polygeneration systems, especially for buildings applications where economic viability is often more difficult to achieve. Based on the current European framework, in this paper the opportunity to adopt sector- and user-oriented criteria is discussed. After having identified three buildings with different uses (a large hotel, a hospital and an office building), the optimal lay-out and operation strategy of a polygeneration plant serving each building is determined; then, ex-post processing of economic and energetic resu…

Analisi degli effetti delle opzioni tariffarie regionali sull'ottimizzazione di μ-grids energetiche alimentate da impianti poligenerativi

L'ottimizzazione di sistemi energetici complessi per la produzione e la distribuzione di fluidi caldi e freddi per utenti civili è un problema molto complesso; due possibili configurazioni possono essere prese in considerazione, ovvero le piccole unità singole per singoli edifici ed i grandi impianti integrati con reti di teleriscaldamento. Affrontare un problema così complesso, che coinvolge un numero molto elevato di variabili, richiede algoritmi e tecniche di risoluzione efficienti. La ricerca svolta ha consentito di sviluppare nuovi metodi di mathematical programming, ed in particolare tecniche di Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP), per quanto concerne l’ottimizzazione di sistemi p…

A comprehensive tool for efficient design and operation of polygeneration-based energy μgrids serving a cluster of buildings. Part II: Analysis of the applicative potential

Abstract The potential of polygeneration systems, in terms of profitability, energy saving and pollutant emissions reduction, highly depends on several factors such as plant efficiency, local normative and tariff conditions and reference technologies adopted to compare the results. In Part I of this paper a reliable tool was described, capable of optimizing the lay-out, design and operation of an integrated polygeneration system serving a cluster of buildings with their heat, cooling and power demand; the tool represents an excellent instrument to perform sensitivity analyses, thus enabling the analyst to formulate general design criteria and predict the effects of any change in the boundar…

USER- AND CONTEXT-ORIENTED CRITERIA FOR ASSESMENT OF HIGH EFFICIENCY POLYGENERATION PLANTS FOR BUILDINGS APPLICATIONS

The eligibility criteria adopted to assess polygeneration plants as “highly efficient” can play a determinant role in favouring or discouraging the market growth of polygeneration systems, especially for buildings applications where economic viability is often more difficult to achieve. Basing on the current European framework, in this paper the opportunity to adopt user- and context-oriented criteria is discussed. After having identified three buildings with different uses (a large hotel, a hospital and an office building), the optimal layout and operation strategy of a polygeneration plant serving each building is determined; then, ex-post processing of economic and energetic results is u…

OTTIMIZZAZIONE DI IMPIANTI POLIGENERATIVI E μGRIDS ENERGETICHE PER APPLICAZIONI IN AMBITO CIVILE

OPTIMIZATION OF POLYGENERATION SYSTEMS SERVING A CLUSTER OF BUILDINGS

The optimization of combined energy systems for the production and distribution of warm and cold fluids to civil users is very complex; two possible configurations, i.e. the small single units for individual buildings and the large plants integrated with district heating networks, can be essentially considered, especially in cold climates. Dealing with such a complex problem, involving a very large number of variables, requires efficient algorithms and resolution techniques. The present chapter illustrates a Mixed Integer Linear Program (MILP)1 approach to the optimization of synthesis, design and operation for CHCP-based μ-grids including thermal energy storages. A novel approach is presen…

A comprehensive tool for efficient design and operation of polygeneration-based energy μgrids serving a cluster of buildings. Part I: Description of the method

Polygeneration systems with thermal energy storage represent promising solutions to achieve energy saving and emissions reduction in the civil sector. The definition of customer-oriented design and operation strategies represents a most challenging task, in order to maximize the profitability and make the investment attractive. A large potential is often recognized for the installation of centralized plants serving a cluster of buildings located over a small area; in such cases the design problem becomes extremely complex and the analyst needs reliable instruments to identify the optimal solution. This paper in two parts presents a scientific tool for the optimization of design and operatio…