Optimal sizing of an integrated CHP and desalination system as a polygeneration plant for supplying rural demands

Abstract

Simultaneous production of electricity, heat, and water is a global challenge for rural residential areas. In the present study, techno-economic optimization of a system including PV, wind turbine, generator, battery, and CHP system alongside brackish water reverse osmosis desalination system is investigated. The proposed polygeneration hybrid system provides the required loads of a village and health clinic in a rural area with a warm climate. This study aims to find the optimum energy cost of essential rural needs, including required electricity, heat, and water demands to improve remote areas' life quality. While previous studies often considered only one or two of these needs. Several sensitivity analyses based on the different economic and climate conditions are carried out. The grid breakeven distance, environmental aspects, and the developed hybrid energy system's technical performance are analyzed. The results demonstrate that the optimum system, including PV/WT/DG/CHP/Bat and reverse osmosis desalination unit has COE and NPC equal to 0.236 $/kWh and 428,246 $, respectively. Also, the CHP unit decreased the annual fuel consumption by about 224 m3/yr. Furthermore, the proposed hybrid system has a 58.4% lower CO2 emission than conventional natural gas-fired plants and less than 27 km of grid breakeven distance.