Abstract
A small-scale, decentralized hybrid system is proposed for autonomous operation in a commercial building (small hotel). The study attempts to provide a potential solution, which will be attractive both in terms of efficiency and economics. The proposed configuration consists of the photovoltaic (PV) and solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) subsystems. The fuel cell subsystem is fueled with natural gas. The SOFC stack model is validated using literature data. A thermoeconomic optimization strategy, based on a genetic algorithm approach, is applied to the developed model to minimize the system lifecycle cost (LCC). Four decision variables are identified and chosen for the thermoeconomic optimization: temperature at anode inlet, temperature at cathode inlet, temperature at combustor exit, and steam-to-carbon ratio. The total capacity at design conditions is 70 and 137.5 kWe, for the PV and SOFC subsystems, respectively. After the application of the optimization process, the LCC is reduced from 1,203,266 to 1,049,984 USD. This improvement is due to the reduction of fuel consumed by the system, which also results in an increase of the average net electrical efficiency from 29.2 to 35.4%. The thermoeconomic optimization of the system increases its future viability and energy market penetration potential.
Highlights
Cogeneration of useful energy in the form of electricity, heating, and cooling has led to the development of combined heat and power (CHP) systems
The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) stack model is validated by variation of the current density from the design value of 2 to part-load stack model is validated by variation of the current density from the design value of conditions, as shown in the polarization curve of Figure
A thermoeconomic optimization strategy was applied to the developed simulation model to minimize the lifecycle cost (LCC) to a more competitive value, which could improve its future viability and energy market penetration
Summary
Cogeneration of useful energy in the form of electricity, heating, and cooling has led to the development of combined heat and power (CHP) systems. These systems are available in different capacities, in order to fulfill a range of industrial, commercial, and residential purposes. Cogeneration plants usually emphasize on the production of electricity with the highest possible efficiency, while useful heating and cooling can be generated through heat recovery of the flue gas extracted from an electric generator (turbomachinery, fuel cells, etc.). It is possible and desirable to generate electricity via renewable energy sources (RES), since RES-based systems typically offer production of electricity at zero emissions. A promising RES is solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, especially when applied in areas with high solar radiation [5,6]
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