Performance Analysis of Internal-combustion-engine Primed Trigeneration Systems for use in High-rise Office Buildings in Hong Kong

Abstract

The year-round dynamic performances of various types of internal-combustion-engine primed trigeneration (ICEPT) systems were analyzed and compared with that based on a conventional system powered by the grid electricity when they were applied to a high-rise office building in Hong Kong. It was found that the employment of the ICEPT systems reduced the total energy demand from the building by at most 10.9%. However, the saving in the carbon dioxide emission varied widely with the prime mover used with a maximum of only 13.2% for a natural-gas-fueled ICEPT system. One major reason was the relatively lower carbon dioxide emission index from the local grid electricity. In this regard, the sufficient supply of natural gas or biofuels is necessary in order to reduce the carbon dioxide emission through the employment of ICEPT systems in Hong Kong.