Part I of II: Development of MERESS Model—Developing System Models of Stationary Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Fuel Cell Systems (FCS) for Reduced Costs and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions

Abstract

Stationary combined heat and power (CHP) fuel cell systems (FCSs) can provide electricity and heat for buildings, and can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions significantly if they are configured with an appropriate installation and operating strategy. The Maximizing Emission Reductions and Economic Savings Simulator (MERESS) is an optimization tool that was developed to allow users to evaluate avant-garde strategies for installing and operating CHP FCSs in buildings. These strategies include networking, load following, and the use of variable heat-to-power ratios, all of which commercial industry has typically overlooked. A primary goal of the MERESS model is to use relatively inexpensive simulation studies to identify more financially and environmentally effective ways to design and install FCSs. It incorporates the pivotal choices that FCS manufacturers, building owners, emission regulators, competing generators, and policy makers make, and empowers them to evaluate the effect of their choices directly. MERESS directly evaluates trade-offs among three key goals: GHG reductions, energy cost savings for building owners, and high sales revenue for FCS manufacturers. MERESS allows users to evaluate these design trade-offs and to identify the optimal control strategies and building load curves for installation based on either 1) maximum GHG emission reductions or 2) maximum cost savings to building owners. Part I of II articles discusses the motivation and key assumptions behind MERESS model development. Part II of II articles discusses run results from MERESS for a California town and makes recommendations for further FCS installments (Colella 2008 (a)).