Opportunities for Local Energy Supply in Norway: A Case Study of a University Campus Site

Abstract

Neighbourhoods can contribute to climate change mitigation by supplying and/or facilitating renewable energy sources (RES). In this context, we evaluate opportunities related to the energy system of a Norwegian university campus, Campus Evenstad, by quantifying monetary value of local energy resources like solar photovoltaics (PV) and a bio-based combined heat and power (CHP) plant in a cost analysis. Environmental value is discussed regarding operational control of energy units to minimize emissions. Using mixed integer linear programming (MILP), we also present results from an investment analysis for local thermal and electric energy system to achieve different levels of emission compensation. Results show that local electricity supply generates most monetary value through saved costs related to reduced power grid import, and that solar PV is the most cost-efficient resource to achieve compensation of GHG emissions.