OPTIMAL OPERATIONAL STRATEGIES FOR MULTI-GENERATION SYSTEMS

Multi-generation (MG) systems represent a promising solution for improving energy generation effi- ciency. In particular, trigeneration systems for combined production of electricity, heat and cooling power exhibit a potential for widespread diffusion, above all exploiting small-scale distributed cogenerators such as microturbines in urban areas, where the air conditioning demand is ever increasing. Managing MG systems is a challenging task, due to the energy flow interactions among the manifold equipment within the plant and with external energy net- works. This paper presents a black-box modelling ap- proach suitable for formulating optimization problems for MG system operation. A composite trigeneration plant is used to exemplify two of the possible objectives, namely, minimum operational cost and maximum energy saving. The methodology and the results presented prove to be effective for interpreting possible operational schemes. In particular, energy and economic optimization strategies may be conflicting in dependence on the various energy load levels and electricity market prices.