Chapter 14 - Optimization of cogeneration and polygeneration systems

Abstract

The optimal design of the cogeneration and polygeneration systems is very important from the perspective of various objective functions, including minimizing annual costs, investment costs, pollutant production, environmental impacts, product prices, as well as maximizing efficiency. Moreover, cogeneration and polygeneration systems have wide applications in utilities, industrial sectors, and building sectors. Optimal design (grassroots) and optimization of existing systems (retrofit) play a very important role in the cost of product production, overall system performance, environmental impacts, and pollution emissions. In this chapter the optimization problem definition, requirements, and different optimization techniques are introduced. To better show the application of optimization in the optimal design of cogeneration and polygeneration systems, two cogeneration and two polygeneration systems are considered as different case studies. The first case is related to the optimal design of a solar hybrid cogeneration system based on a well-known CGAM problem. The second case is related to the optimal design of the site utility cogeneration system that produces different steam mains and power. In this case, using a targeting strategy to find an optimum solution in grassroots design is mentioned. The third case is related to the optimization of a modern polygeneration system with a thermoelectric generator, parabolic trough solar collector, and electrolysis. The last case mentioned the optimal design of a solar–biomass-driven polygeneration system consisting of desalination and liquefaction of natural gas.