Thermoeconomic Modeling and Parametric Study of a Photovoltaic-Assisted 1 MW e Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power System

Alexandros Arsalis, Andreas N. Alexandrou and George E. Georghiou
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Alexandros Arsalis: Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
Andreas N. Alexandrou: Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
George E. Georghiou: FOSS Research Centre for Sustainable Energy, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus

Energies, 2016, vol. 9, issue 8, 1-15

Abstract: In this study a small-scale, completely autonomous combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) system is coupled to a photovoltaic (PV) subsystem, to investigate the possibility of reducing fuel consumption. The CCHP system generates electrical energy with the use of a simple gas turbine cycle, with a rated nominal power output of 1 MW e . The nominal power output of the PV subsystem is examined in a parametric study, ranging from 0 to 600 kW e , to investigate which configuration results in a minimum lifecycle cost (LCC) for a system lifetime of 20 years of service. The load profile considered is applied for a complex of households in Nicosia, Cyprus. The solar data for the PV subsystem are taken on an hourly basis for a whole year. The results suggest that apart from economic benefits, the proposed system also results in high efficiency and reduced CO 2 emissions. The parametric study shows that the optimum PV capacity is 300 kW e . The minimum lifecycle cost for the PV-assisted CCHP system is found to be 3.509 million €, as compared to 3.577 million € for a system without a PV subsystem. The total cost for the PV subsystem is 547,445 €, while the total cost for operating the system (fuel) is 731,814 € (compared to 952,201 € for a CCHP system without PVs). Overall, the proposed system generates a total electrical energy output of 52,433 MWh (during its whole lifetime), which translates to a unit cost of electricity of 0.067 €/kWh.

Keywords: photovoltaic; solar energy; distributed generation; cost analysis; liquefied natural gas; cogeneration; autonomous system; energy efficiency; parametric study; thermoeconomic modeling (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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