Dynamic simulation and optimal real-time operation of CHP systems for buildings

Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power (CHP) systems have been widely recognized as a key alternative for electric and thermal energy generation because of their outstanding energy efficiency, reduced environmental emissions, and relative independence from centralized power grids. The systems provide simultaneous onsite or near-site electric and thermal energy generation in a single, integrated package. As CHP becomes increasingly popular worldwide and its total capacity increases rapidly, the research on the topics of CHP performance assessment, design, and operational strategy become increasingly important. Following this trend of research activities to improve energy efficiency, environmental emissions, and operational cost, this dissertation focuses on the following aspects: (a) performance evaluation of a CHP system using a transient simulation model; (b) development of a dynamic simulation model of a power generation unit that can be effectively used in transient simulations of CHP systems; (c) investigation of real-time operation of CHP systems based on optimization with respect to operational cost, primary energy consumption, and carbon dioxide emissions; and (d) development of optimal supervisory feedorward control that can provide realistic real-time operation of CHP systems with electric and thermal energy storages using short-term weather forecasting. The results from a transient simulation of a CHP system show that technical and economical performance can be readily evaluated using the transient model and that the design, component selection, and control of a CHP system can be improved using this model. The results from the case studies using optimal real-time operation strategies demonstrate that CHP systems with an energy dispatch algorithm have the potential to yield savings in operational cost, primary energy consumption, and carbon dioxide emissions with respect to a conventional HVAC system. Finally, the results from the case study using a supervisory feedorward control system illustrate that optimal realistic real-time operation of CHP systems with electric and thermal energy storages can be managed by this optimal control using weather forecasting information