Development of a novel flexible multigeneration energy system for meeting the energy needs of remote areas

Abstract

This paper introduces a flexibility concept in development of a novel multigeneration energy system driven by a renewable energy heat source. Nevertheless, the energy system can be upgraded to a highly productive system by incorporating other subsystems for achieving more production such as domestic hot water and freshwater. A novel design is proposed for a system comprising organic Rankine cycle, absorption compression heat pump, liquid natural gas to natural gas converting system, domestic water heater, and humidifier-dehumidifier desalination to exploit the Sabalan geothermal source for multigeneration purposes. Due to its high-efficient and environmentally friendly characteristics, n-pentane is utilized in the organic Rankine cycle. Also, the Ammonia-water is employed in the absorption compression heat pump subsystem. Energy, exergy, and thermoeconomic analysis is conducted on the plant along with multi-objective optimization based on the parametric study of key variants. According to the results, the novel step-by-step flexibility analysis can give a wide viewpoint to the designers to make the best multiple plant. The results of multi-objective optimization indicate that the freshwater production increases from 0.803 kg/s to 0.834 kg/s, the capacity of the domestic water heater rises from 1254 kW to 1265 kW, and the net output power surges up by 137.96 kW. However, the heating production falls from 1276 to 1088 kW. Furthermore, the total energy and exergy efficiencies increase by 6.43% and 4.47% with a 2.08 $/GJ reduction in the unit cost of the product.