Long-term optimization case studies for combined heat and power system

Abstract

In the next years distributed poly-generation systems are expected to play an increasingly important role in the electricity infrastructure and market. The successful spread of small-scale generation either connected to the distribution network or on the customer side of the meter depends on diverse issues, such as the possibilities of technical implementation, resource availability, environmental aspects, and regulation and market conditions. The aim of this approach is to develop an economic and parametric analysis of a distributed generation system based on gas turbines able to satisfy the energy demand of a typical hotel complex. Here, the economic performance of six cases combining different designs and regimes of operation is shown. The software Turbomatch, the gas turbine performance code of Cranfield University, was used to simulate the off-design performance of the engines in different ambient and load conditions. A clear distinction between cases running at full load and following the load could be observed in the results. Full load regime can give a shorter return on the investment then following the load. In spite combined heat and power systems being currently not economically attractive, this scenario may change in future due to environmental regulations and unavailability of low price fuel for large centralized power stations. Combined heat and power has a significant potential although it requires favorable legislative and fair energy market conditions to successfully increase its share in the power generation market.