Numerous technical solutions have been developed in order to save energy, avoid GHG emissions and then face the climate change. Focusing on distributed generation, i.e. any source of electric power of limited capacity, directly connected to the power system distribution network where it is consumed by the end users, it has gained a lot of attractions in the power sector due to its ability in power loss reduction, increased reliability, low investment cost. Some countries have recently shown a renewed interest in cogeneration (CHP) and efficient district heating and cooling (DHC) networks – even due to the 2012 European Energy Efficiency Directive – which provide clear environmental benefits due to the enhanced energy supply efficiency and use of recovered heat and low-carbon renewable resources. By 2030, the CHP share of electricity generation is estimated to increase from 10% to a potential 24% in the major economies, if suitable policy regimes were to be introduced. This provides an excellent opportunity for profitable interventions on existing plant in terms of low-carbon technologies and renewable energies. The paper describes the optimization project developed for a small natural gas-fired CHP plant (just under 1 MWe), installed in 90s and located within a research facility in Italy, which supply electricity and heat/cool through a district network. On the basis of monitored consumption of electricity, heating and cooling, energy fluxes have been assessed and a management profile is proposed in order to enhance both operational and economic parameters. Moreover, the possible integration of renewable energies, with particular attention on solar-powered systems for supporting the existing devices - heat recovery process and absorption chiller – has been evaluated, thus resulting in a hybrid tri-generation plant. Cogeneration and DHC are confirmed as flexible tools to bridge electrical and thermal energy systems, to integrate distributed renewable generation and to enhance fuel diversity, in response to the climate-change challenge towards sustainable energy networks in the future.
Energy and economic optimization of a natural gas CCHP plant: A case study
Proietti S;
2016-01-01
Abstract
Numerous technical solutions have been developed in order to save energy, avoid GHG emissions and then face the climate change. Focusing on distributed generation, i.e. any source of electric power of limited capacity, directly connected to the power system distribution network where it is consumed by the end users, it has gained a lot of attractions in the power sector due to its ability in power loss reduction, increased reliability, low investment cost. Some countries have recently shown a renewed interest in cogeneration (CHP) and efficient district heating and cooling (DHC) networks – even due to the 2012 European Energy Efficiency Directive – which provide clear environmental benefits due to the enhanced energy supply efficiency and use of recovered heat and low-carbon renewable resources. By 2030, the CHP share of electricity generation is estimated to increase from 10% to a potential 24% in the major economies, if suitable policy regimes were to be introduced. This provides an excellent opportunity for profitable interventions on existing plant in terms of low-carbon technologies and renewable energies. The paper describes the optimization project developed for a small natural gas-fired CHP plant (just under 1 MWe), installed in 90s and located within a research facility in Italy, which supply electricity and heat/cool through a district network. On the basis of monitored consumption of electricity, heating and cooling, energy fluxes have been assessed and a management profile is proposed in order to enhance both operational and economic parameters. Moreover, the possible integration of renewable energies, with particular attention on solar-powered systems for supporting the existing devices - heat recovery process and absorption chiller – has been evaluated, thus resulting in a hybrid tri-generation plant. Cogeneration and DHC are confirmed as flexible tools to bridge electrical and thermal energy systems, to integrate distributed renewable generation and to enhance fuel diversity, in response to the climate-change challenge towards sustainable energy networks in the future.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
