Economic Optimization of the Energy Supply for a Logistics Center Considering Variable-Rate Energy Tariffs and Integration of Photovoltaics

Alex Ximenes Naves,Victor Tulus,Elaine Garrido Vazquez,Assed Naked Haddad,Dieter Boer,Laureano Jiménez Esteller

doi:10.3390/app9214711

Abstract

The energy supplied by photovoltaic (PV) panels connected to the grid creates more flexibility for energy management; however, oversizing the PV system may result in an energy surplus, an essential factor to be considered during energy efficiency optimization. The economic analysis of energy supply systems for buildings and industry should include a detailed feasibility analysis and a life cycle perspective. Simulations were performed to quantify the potential savings when the excess of PV energy (surplus) is supposed to be exported to the grid by considering the net metering and net billing approaches. Our objective was to evaluate the electrical demand of a logistics center with pre-design modeling and simulation, and determine the adequate system configurations by considering the life cycle costing (LCC). We established a baseline and three alternative economic scenarios for optimization. Combining the use of TRNSYS 180 Simulation Studio and its optimization library component, GenOp (Generic Optimization Program), we simulated different options of grid energy contracts considering the variable tariffs and the integration with PVs. Based on the LCC, a single-objective optimization (SOO) process was performed. This approach allowed us to envisage possible configurations, reducing up to a quarter of annual grid energy consumption that represents savings of around 21% for the LCC in a timeframe of 20 years, reaching up to 39% when the export of the PV surplus energy is considered. The payback period of investments is below six years for the optimal scenarios.

Highlights

Logistics centers are common in cities where the balance between the transportation costs, storage costs, and other factors make its implementation viable.The energy consumption for the preservation of perishable foods, waste disposal, air conditioning, space, and parking lighting represent a relevant share of their total costs.Appl
The logistics center adopted was a logistics and service center specializing in the food industry located in Spain
The energy consumption from the grid and the life cycle costing (LCC) decreased with the installation of more PV panels, and the optimal values of the grid and the LCC decreased with the installation of more PV panels, and the optimal values of the the LCC were obtained before the energy consumption from the grid reached the limits of the LCC were obtained before the energy consumption from the grid reached the limits of the maximum maximum solar fraction

Summary

Introduction

Logistics centers are common in cities where the balance between the transportation costs (from the producers to the consumers), storage costs, and other factors make its implementation viable.The energy consumption for the preservation of perishable foods, waste disposal, air conditioning, space, and parking lighting represent a relevant share of their total costs.Appl. Logistics centers are common in cities where the balance between the transportation costs (from the producers to the consumers), storage costs, and other factors make its implementation viable. The energy consumption for the preservation of perishable foods, waste disposal, air conditioning, space, and parking lighting represent a relevant share of their total costs.

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Conclusion