Optimizing cooling, heating, and power systems for PEMFC using a multi-objective optimization

Abstract

Combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) systems are attractive solutions for providing multiple energy services from a single fuel source. However, designing and operating CCHP systems optimally is challenging due to the complex thermodynamic and economic interactions among the system components. Multi-objective optimization is a powerful technique to find the best trade-off solutions among conflicting objectives. In this paper, an improved version of the World Cup Optimizer (IWCO), a metaheuristic algorithm inspired by the soccer tournament, has been proposed to solve the multi-objective optimization problem of a CCHP system. The IWCO algorithm enhances the exploration and exploitation capabilities of the original WCO algorithm by introducing a new selection mechanism and a new mutation operator. The performance of the IWCO algorithm has been validated by comparing it with other well-known multi-objective optimization algorithms on several benchmark functions. The results show that the IWCO algorithm outperforms the other algorithms in terms of convergence rate and solution quality. We then apply the IWCO algorithm to optimize a CCHP system with three objectives: minimizing the total annual cost, minimizing the total greenhouse gas emissions, and maximizing the system efficiency. The CCHP system consists of a fuel cell, a micro gas turbine, and an absorption chiller. A Pareto front is used to represent the optimal trade-off solutions among the three objectives. The results show that the IWCO algorithm can provide a variety of Pareto-optimal solutions, which can help decision-makers in designing and operating CCHP systems. The results indicate that the IWCOA produces the most favorable optimization outcomes, achieving energy efficiency rates of 78.7 % and a maximum annual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions totaling 5.2e7 g. Additionally, it manages to decrease the yearly cost to 4.139e3 $. These findings provide a valuable means of assessing the effectiveness of different fuel cell technologies based on their operational characteristics. They underscored the considerable potential of the IWCOA in improving the operational efficiency and environmental footprint of CCHP systems, thus making significant contributions to the progress of sustainable energy technology.