Performance analysis of CCHP and CHP systems operating following the thermal and electric load

TLDR

Heating and cooling for buildings are typically supplied by separate systems, but combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) or combined heating and power (CHP) systems offer an alternative that has been claimed to reduce transmission and distribution energy use, although most studies focus on cost savings rather than actual energy or emissions reductions. The study evaluates CCHP and CHP systems operating under electric‑load (FEL) and thermal‑load (FTL) modes, assessing primary energy consumption, operating cost, and CO₂ emissions across various climates. The results show that operating CCHP and CHP under thermal‑load (FTL) lowers primary energy consumption in all cities, whereas electric‑load (FEL) operation increases it, and only CHP‑FTL simultaneously reduces PEC, CO₂ emissions, and cost. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract

Heating and cooling energy requirements for buildings are usually supplied by separated systems such as furnaces or boilers for heating, and vapor compression systems for cooling. For these types of buildings, the use of combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) systems or combined heating and power (CHP) systems are an alternative for energy savings. Different researchers have claimed that the use of CCHP and CHP systems reduces the energy consumption related to transmission and distribution of energy. However, most of these analyses are based on reduction of operating cost without measuring the actual energy use and emissions reduction. The objective of this study is to analyze the performance of CCHP and CHP systems operating following the electric load (FEL) and operating following the thermal load (FTL), based on primary energy consumption (PEC), operation cost, and carbon dioxide emissions (CDE) for different climate conditions. Results show that CCHP and CHP systems operated FTL reduce the PEC for all the evaluated cities. On the other hand, CHP systems operated FEL always increases the PEC. The only operation mode that reduces PEC and CDE while reducing the cost is CHP-FTL. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.