Assessment and Evolutionary Based Multi-Objective Optimization of a Novel Renewable-Based Polygeneration Energy System

Abstract

In this paper, a renewable-based integrated energy system is developed, analyzed, and optimized to achieve better performance. The present system is designed to be driven by concentrated solar thermal and biomass energies. Biomass fuel is used as the backup source of energy when the solar energy is not available. The system is designed to produce electricity, cooling, and hydrogen. The power output of the system is provided by solar-driven regenerative helium gas turbine during day time and from biomass gasification driven solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) unit at night time. The fuel cell stack number is estimated as to provide the same net power. The system operates at energy and exergy efficiencies of 39.99% and 27.47%, respectively, at the optimal point selected based on the optimization analysis. The parametric studies on performance and environmental impact assessment are performed to investigate the effects of several operating parameters on the system performance.