Optimal Operation and Size for an Energy Hub with CCHP

Abstract

The interest in distributed generation has been increasing in recent years, especially due to technical devel-opment on generation systems that meet environmental and energy policy concerns. One of the most impor-tant distributed energy technologies is Combined Cooling, Heat and Power (CCHP) systems. CCHP is a small and self-contained electric, heating and cooling generation plant that can provide power for households, commercial or industrial facilities. It can reduce power loss and enhance service reliability in distribution systems. The proposed method in this paper determines the optimal size and operation of CCHP, auxiliary boiler and also heat storage unit as elements of an energy hub, for users by an integrated view of electricity and natural gas network. Authors apply cost and benefit analysis in the optimization. To confirm the pro-posed method, the optimum sizes of these elements are determined for a hotel in Tehran as a case study.