Economic and Environmental Benefits of Renewable Energy Sources in Multi-generation Systems

Abstract

World energy demand is increasing constantly, as a result of the world population growth. Responding to the growth of energy demand while maintaining its safety and environmental aspects is an important challenge. The mentioned increase in energy needs has critical effects on the environment as the generation processes of energy emit harmful pollutants. On the other hand, fossil fuel resources are limited. Renewable energies are the best alternative energy sources. Some of the renewable energy sources are available in nature, such as solar, biomass, hydro, wind, wave, tidal, ocean current, ocean thermal, and geothermal. In recent decades, new technologies for increasing the efficiency of energy systems and relieving global warming have been proposed and tested in many countries. One of these technologies is multi-generation processes which have the potential for high efficiencies, low pollution emissions, and low operating costs. Reducing cost and environmental impact as well as increasing the efficiency and sustainability are among the main objectives of using multi-generation technologies. A multi-generation system can have products like electricity, heating, cooling, hot water, fresh water, and hydrogen. The combination of multi-generation and renewable energy systems can provide significant benefits. In this chapter, the concept of renewable-energy-based multi-generation systems for producing a number of outputs such as power, heat, hot water, cooling, hydrogen, and fresh water is reviewed, and its economic and environmental benefits are discussed.