Operation Strategy and Parametric Analysis of a CHP and a Tri-Generation System for Integrated Community

Thermal efficiencies of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and Tri-generation system, which are installed in a residential district and a general hospital, respectively, are investigated by using RETScreen. Economic feasibility and amount of CO2 reduction are also estimated by comparing them with separate energy system, which separately supplies electricity, heating and cooling energy to consumer. When power generation capacity of the CHP system is changed from 26 to 40 MW, the efficiency is the highest at 26 MW. It is found that equity payback period is 5.7 years. Power generation capacity of the Tri-generation system for a general hospital was estimated to be 3.2 MW. Depending on the insulation amount of the building, profits and operating efficiency of the Tri-generation system are significantly changed. As an operating strategy, the type of following electricity load shows the highest thermal efficiency of 86%. When cost of electricity is raised by 10% and 20% of the present price, simple payback period is reduced from 5.2 years to 3.0 and 2.1 years, respectively.