Performance Analysis of an Optimization Management Algorithm on a Multi-generation Small Size Power Plant

Abstract

In the last years, the carbon footprint reduction has gained great relevance in the energy industry. Thus, it is necessary to choose approaches that weight the results not only evaluating economic benefits but also emphasizing the environmental impact. In order to measure this impact, the key parameter is the CO2 emission in the atmosphere.The most powerful mean to satisfy this compromise between economic benefits and emission decrease is represented by the concept of Smart Grid.A Smart Grid implies a joint participation between information network and electric grid. In order to acquire the data from the electric grid, transmit them through the IT network, compute and translate them into commands to the plant devices, an ‘intelligent brain’ is necessary.In order to embed a small local network in the larger VPP a delocalized intelligent device is necessary, able to interface with the Smart Grid.An optimization algorithm performs this function of intelligent delocalized brain by setting different set-points for the energy devices on field.In this paper a purposefully developed optimization algorithm is described, with the aim of optimizing the operations of an existent trigeneration plant managing both RES and fossil energy sources. The plant analysed is a real plant located in central Italy, provided by several generators (PV, CHP, absorption chiller, electric chiller, gas boiler and a wind turbine).The results are yielded by a MATLAB/Simulink simulation tool, where all plant devices are characterized by datasheet information and on-field measurements.The benefits evaluation of the algorithm optimized management is obtained by embedding inside Simulink the optimization logic and executing it during the simulation runtime.The performance is compared with conventional thermal led management operations simulated in the same platform. The comparison is mainly based on economic costs but also considers CO2 emissions and primary energy consumption.The analysis takes in account two particular load case whose data have been retrieved from two representative days during summer and winter season.