Solar Based Multigeneration System Research Articles

Techno-economic assessment and transient modeling of a solar-based multi-generation system for sustainable/clean coastal urban development

To ensure the health of vulnerable coastal ecosystems, a transition to sustainable energy solutions is essential. Environmentally friendly systems powered by renewable sources offer not only a reduction in pollution but also the adaptability needed for a flexible and resilient energy future. This study proposes and comprehensively evaluates an integrated solar-based system designed to meet the daily needs of coastal cities. The proposed system incorporates key components such as dual-loop power cycles, parabolic trough solar collectors, liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification, reverse osmosis, and proton exchange membrane electrolysis. To optimize energy utilization, the inclusion of a thermoelectric generator (TEG) is considered, harnessing the thermal gradient among the LNG stream and the power cycle fluid. We conduct transient modeling, incorporating comprehensive scenarios that account for both thermal and economic aspects. The performance evaluation of the system focuses specifically on coastal regions, with San Francisco serving as a case study. The dynamic simulation results demonstrate the capability of the integrated system in fulfilling the urban needs for one year, delivering 1,134,207 cubic meters of potable water and generating 11,306 MWh of electricity. Financial analysis reveals that the solar unit accounts for over 46 % of the total cost, with an hourly cost rate of $69.61. The levelized cost of electricity is predicted at 4.61 cents/kWh, while the levelized cost of water is calculated at 30.54 cents/m3. These findings provide valuable insights into the cost-effectiveness and competitive advantage of the system in terms of energy and water production.

Thermodynamic Analysis and Performance Assessment of a Novel Solar-Based Multigeneration System for Electricity, Cooling, Heating, and Freshwater Production

Abstract This study offers a comprehensive assessment of the thermodynamic performance of a novel solar-based multigeneration system, which caters to the energy needs of a sustainable community by producing electricity, cooling, heating, and freshwater. The solar-based multigeneration system is comprised of four main components: the thermal subsystem of the parabolic trough collector (PTC) employing CO2 as a heat transfer fluid, a single-effect absorption refrigeration cycle (ARC), a supercritical CO2 (S-CO2) cycle, and an adsorption desalination (AD) cycle with heat recovery employing aluminum fumarate metal–organic framework (MOF) adsorbent material. A comprehensive parametric study was performed on the proposed solar-based multigeneration system by varying key parameters to evaluate its performance. It is found that the thermal and exergy efficiencies of a PTC were evaluated to be 68.35% and 29.88%, respectively, at a fixed inlet temperature of 225 °C and solar irradiation of 850 W/m2 and also a slight reduction in the ARC cycle when examining the variation in the thermal and exergetic COPs for the generator temperature. Additionally, the thermal and exergy efficiencies of electricity, cooling, and heating were determined to be 20.41% and 21.93%, 41.34% and 3.51%, and 7.14% and 3.07%, respectively, at the operating condition. The maximum specific daily water production (SDWP) value of 12.91 m3/ton/day and a gain output ratio (GOR) of 0.64 were obtained under steady operating conditions in the AD cycle.

Exergoeconomic evaluation of a novel multigeneration process using solar driven Kalina cycle integrated with gas turbine cycle, double-effect absorption chiller, and liquefied natural gas cold energy recovery

This study is motivated to propose, evaluate, and optimize a solar-based multigeneration system relying on consecutive heat integration. Here, a heliostat field is configured to collect solar power and supply high-temperature air toward a nitrogen-based Brayton cycle. Afterward, the output hot air is subjected to a Kalina cycle suitable for medium-temperature heat resumption. A double-effect absorption refrigeration cycle boosted by a Liquid-based natural gas cold energy recovery unit for power generation and natural gas regasification are the other subsystems. The principal purpose is to protect the energy level of the fluid evacuating the solar field and to minimize the irreversibility of the scheme since solar-based systems lead to major irreversibility. The designed process is apprised from a 3E perspective, including exergy, energy, and exergoeconomic analyses. In addition, a comprehensive sensitivity study is done based on the influence of effective factors on the exergy and energy efficiencies and unit cost of products. Eventually, a multi-objective optimization is performed to set the most suitable condition of decision parameters and reach the optimal unit cost of products and exergy performance (objective functions). To do optimization, a genetic algorithm is applied, and two decision-making approaches, i.e., LINMAP and TOPSIS, are regarded. The optimal objectives are gauged to be 24.76% and 15.90 $/GJ by TOPSIS and 24.47% and 15.73 $/GJ by LINMAP, respectively.

Towards sustainable development through the design, multi-aspect analyses, and multi-objective optimization of a novel solar-based multi-generation system

Towards sustainable development through the design, multi-aspect analyses, and multi-objective optimization of a novel solar-based multi-generation system

Performance evaluation of a geothermal and solar-based multigeneration system and comparison with alternative case studies: Energy, exergy, and exergoeconomic aspects

This study modeled and analyzed the performance evaluation of a geothermal and solar-based multigeneration system and comparison with alternative case studies. For this purpose, three different models have been developed. In Model 1, a parabolic trough collector is used to transfer the energy in one stage. In Model 2, a parabolic trough collector transfers the heat in two stages. In Model 3, a system performs heat transfer with flat plate collectors in two stages. In addition, a hydrogen production system integrated into these models is also considered to store excess energy. These models are investigated for an existing region using geothermal and solar actual data from Afyonkarahisar in Turkey. The geothermal source is at a temperature of 130 °C and a flow rate of 85 kg/s. The solar incident varies between 400 and 1000 W/m2, with an average of 600 W/m2. The residual heat from the systems is used for residential heating. An electrolyzer and a fuel cell are integrated into the models. The costs of hydrogen and the conversion of electricity from hydrogen are investigated. When the exergy efficiencies are analyzed, they are 32.1%, 32.4%, and 30.6%. Hydrogen production costs of the models are calculated as 1.585 $/kg, 1.551 $/kg, and 1.585 $/kg. The conversion electricity costs of fuel cells are calculated as 0.0792, 0.0781, and 0.0792 $/kW, respectively.

Thermodynamic modeling and multi-objective optimization of a solar-driven multi-generation system producing power and water

The present paper addresses the thermodynamic modeling and multi-objective optimization of a solar-based multi-generation system producing hot water, heating, cooling, hydrogen, and freshwater using a humidification and dehumidification (HDH) unit. Usually, in areas with high radiation intensity, the shortage of drinking water is severe; therefore, using multi-generation systems with solar energy as the prime mover can be a promising option in these areas. The main goals of the current work are multi-aspect assessment and optimization of a solar system to generate potable water and other valuable products. The proposed system is examined using thermodynamic modeling and environmental simulation from different aspects in the present study. The exergy destruction evaluation rate showed that the heliostat had the highest exergy destruction rate, gauged at 1867 kW. Also, in terms of exergy efficiency, the pump and heliostat units had the lowest exergy efficiency, with values of 52.09 % and 65.39 %. Parametric analysis was implemented to find the effect of changing different parameters on the yield of produced fresh water, exergy efficiency, exergy destruction rate, coefficient of performance (COP), sustainability index (SI), and produced hydrogen. Results showed that increasing the compressor pressure ratio from 2 to 6 elicits a reduction in freshwater flow rate and COP. Similarly, increasing the outlet pressure from 70 to 80 bar reduced exergy efficiency and freshwater production. Furthermore, owing to the different effects of the parameters on the studied system, multi-objective optimization was performed using the evolutionary genetic algorithm.

Performance Evaluation of a Geothermal and Solar-Based Multigeneration System and Comparison with Alternative Case Studies: Energy, Exergy, and Exergoeconomic Aspects

Performance Evaluation of a Geothermal and Solar-Based Multigeneration System and Comparison with Alternative Case Studies: Energy, Exergy, and Exergoeconomic Aspects

A geothermal and solar-based multigeneration system integrated with a TEG unit: Development, 3E analyses, and multi-objective optimization

A novel hybrid renewable-energy-based system for generating multiple commodities is investigated in this study. The heat gained from geothermal and solar energy sources is converted into useful products such as electricity, domestic hot water, cooling load, and hydrogen via an integrated energy system including parabolic trough collectors, a Kalina cycle, an ejector refrigeration system, a thermoelectric generator (TEG) unit, an organic Rankine cycle, and a PEM electrolyzer. A comprehensive analysis based on energy, exergy, and exergoeconomic methods is carried out to examine the system from different standpoints. To achieve the finest solution, multi-objective optimization is performed to simultaneously maximize exergy efficiency and minimize the total unit cost of products. The results indicate that, under the optimal condition, the system can attain 35.2% and 37.8 $/GJ, and 1.9 kg/h for exergy efficiency, the total unit cost of products, and hydrogen production rate, respectively. Moreover, by comparing system performance for the base case through a parametric study with and without TEG, it is determined that utilizing this unit could be more beneficial for the total system. However, the result achieved from a case study suggests that it would be economically wise to remove the TEG unit during some cold months.

Design, evaluation, and optimization of an efficient solar-based multi-generation system with an energy storage option for Iran’s summer peak demand

In summer, the coastal areas of southern Iran suffer from the freshwater shortage and electricity instability. Meanwhile, this region benefits from the high intensity of solar radiation and the huge potential of brackish water resources. Hence, this paper designs a novel cooling, power and pure water trigeneration system for application in this area to mitigate its energy and water crisis. The proposed system is composed of a solar-based Goswami power and cooling production cycle and a multistage flash seawater desalination process. Moreover, a molten salt heating energy storage unit is used to prove its steady operation under uncertain sunlight condition. A comprehensive parametric study is provided to evaluate the system performance by changing the key variables. The numerical results demonstrate that increasing the pressure ratio from 6 to18 causes 3.3% leads to an increase in system efficiencies and minimum total products cost experiences at the pressure ratio of 12.6. Additionally, as the superheating degree increases from 0 to 10 K, the energy efficiency decreases but the exergy efficiency increases. When the ammonia concentration at the rectifier exit is increased from 0.965 to 0.995, the energy efficiency increases 5%, the exergy efficiency has a decreasing trend from 28% to 25.9%, and the minimum total products cost is 131.2 $/GJ. Furthermore, the exergy efficiency gains its maximum, the energy efficiency has a minimum value, and the total products cost grows with higher values of the minimum approach temperature. Finally, the system is optimized under four different scenarios to identify its best operating condition in each condition: three single-objective and one multi-objective optimization cases. The results of the multi-objective optimization are trade-offs between the ones for single-objective optimization cases. In this case, the net power of 12 MW, cooling capacity of 15.74 kW, and the freshwater of 4.72 kg/s are attainable.

Experimental investigation of a multi-generation energy system for a nearly zero-energy park: A solution toward sustainable future

In the current paper, the performance of a solar-based multi-generation system was experimentally investigated for one year. The system was composed of a photovoltaic section and a hybrid thermal and desalination section with a linear parabolic solar collector. Results indicate that besides entirely complies with the electricity, drinking water and hot water needs, utilization of the system for a nearly zero-energy park prevents 342 tons of CO2 net annual greenhouse gas emission. Furthermore, the performance of the linear parabolic solar collector was experimentally investigated and compared using both water and Al2O3-water nanofluid as the heat transfer fluids. Results show that using the nanofluid, a noticeable decrease (31%) in the total thermal loss coefficient led to a significant increase (70%) in the thermal efficiency of the system. Calculating the simple and equity paybacks, as well as the Internal Rate of Return, revealed the economic viability of the proposed multi-generation system. The capacity of the proposed system could be easily extended, and the pattern of the nearly zero-energy park in the current study could be applied in other urban areas to pursue a more sustainable future.

Optimization of a novel solar-based multi-generation system for waste heat recovery in a cement plant

Abstract This article presents a novel renewable-based multi-generation energy system. The system is based on a double effect absorption chiller, an ejector refrigeration cycle, a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer, an amine-based CO2 capture system, an organic Rankine cycle, and a heater. The proposed integrated system is fueled by a biomass combustor, a photovoltaic thermal solar panels, and a waste heat recovery from a cement plant located in Abyek, Iran. This innovative configuration of energy system can produce electricity, cooling, heating, and hydrogen in summer and winter modes, in addition to removing CO2 from the flue gas of the cement plant. The system is analyzed in energetic, exergetic and thermoeconomic terms. The performance of the system is investigated parametrically by examining the effect of variation of selected key parameters. To perform comprehensive modeling, the system is assessed thermoeconomically through estimating unit cost of each product and total cost rate of the product. Finally, single and multi-objective optimizations are performed by an evolutionary algorithm and illustrated on a Pareto frontier in order to achieve the optimum scheme of the multi-generation system regarding technical and economic viewpoints. According to the results, the studied integrated system produces 17.4 MW and 18.4 MW electricity in summer and winter, 4.1 MW heating power, 1.2 MW cooling power, 5.8 kg/h and 11.3 kg/h hydrogen in summer and winter. Moreover, the system captures 234.1 kg/s CO2 with 90% removal factor from the cement plant. The result of the optimization indicates in winter product cost rate of the Combined Cooling, Heating and Power (CCHP) subsection can reduce 24%. However, in summer for a 0.47% increase in product cost rate, the exergy efficiency is capable of increase by 39%.

Analysis and performance assessment of a new solar-based multigeneration system integrated with ammonia fuel cell and solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine combined cycle

In the present study, a new solar-based multigeneration system integrated with an ammonia fuel cell and solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine combined cycle to produce electricity, hydrogen, cooling and hot water is developed for analysis and performance assessment. In this regard, thermodynamic analyses and modeling through both energy and exergy approaches are employed to assess and evaluate the overall system performance. Various parametric studies are conducted to study the effects of varying system parameters and operating conditions on the energy and exergy efficiencies. The results of this study show that the overall multigeneration system energy efficiency is obtained as 39.1% while the overall system exergy efficiency is calculated as 38.7%, respectively. The performance of this multigeneration system results in an increase of 19.3% in energy efficiency as compared to single generation system. Furthermore, the exergy efficiency of the multigeneration system is 17.8% higher than the single generation system. Moreover, both energy and exergy efficiencies of the solid oxide fuel cell-gas turbine combined cycle are determined as 68.5% and 55.9% respectively.

A new solar based multigeneration system with hot and cold thermal storages and hydrogen production

A multigeneration system based on solar thermal energy associated with hot and cold thermal storage is designed and analyzed energetically and exergetically. The system produces electricity, a heating effect, a cooling effect, hydrogen, and dry sawdust biomass as outputs by means of organic Rankine cycles, a heat pump, two absorption chillers, an electrolyser, and a belt dryer. The intermittent behavior of the renewable energy source is addressed through the incorporation of hot and cold thermal storage systems to operate an organic Rankine cycle and provide cooling at night. The performance assessment indicates that the overall (day and night) energy and exergy efficiencies are 20.7% and 13.7%, respectively. The majority of the total exergy destruction is attributable to the sawdust belt dryer, at about 64.0%.

Thermodynamic assessment of an integrated solar power tower and coal gasification system for multi-generation purposes

Multi-generation energy production systems allow higher efficiency by integration of different systems for recovering the highest possible exergy of the energy input. This paper concerns the thermodynamic assessment of a solar-based multi-generation system with coal gasification, involving power, heating, cooling, hydrogen, oxygen and hot water production. The coal gasification system is integrated with a solar power tower to utilize the concentrating solar energy. The clean syngas produced from the system is stored for the continuous power production. This multi-generation system has divided to the six sub-systems. Energy and exergy efficiencies of each system are studied to show the system performance under the chosen conditions and also how to approach the ideal case. From the results, energy and exergy efficiencies of the sub-systems change between 19.43–46.05% and 14.41–46.14%, respectively, and the multi-generation system has the maximum energy and exergy efficiencies as 54.04% and 57.72%, respectively. Additionally, parametric studies, including the thermodynamic performance of the multi-generation system components, are conducted by the change in some major design parameters, as variation of the environment temperature, compressor pressure ratio, nitrogen supply ratio for the combustion chamber and gas turbine entry temperature.

Thermodynamic analysis of a solar-based multi-generation system with hydrogen production

Thermodynamic analysis of a renewable-based multi-generation energy production system which produces a number of outputs, such as power, heating, cooling, hot water, hydrogen and oxygen is conducted. This solar-based multi-generation system consists of four main sub-systems: Rankine cycle, organic Rankine cycle, absorption cooling and heating, and hydrogen production and utilization. Exergy destruction ratios and rates, power or heat transfer rates, energy and exergy efficiencies of the system components are carried out. Some parametric studies are performed in order to examine the effects of varying operating conditions (e.g., reference temperature, direct solar radiation and receiver temperature) on the exergy efficiencies of the sub-systems as well as the whole system. The solar-based multi-generation system which has an exergy efficiency of 57.35%, is obtained to be higher than using these sub-systems separately. The evaluation of the exergy efficiency and exergy destruction for the sub-systems and the overall system show that the parabolic dish collectors have the highest exergy destruction rate among constituent parts of the solar-based multi-generation system, due to high temperature difference between the working fluid and collector receivers.