An Innovative Design and Cost Optimization of a Trigeneration (Combined Cooling, Heating and Power) System

Load management and cost optimization are among the important factors in trigeneration systems and combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) systems. In this study, an innovative CCHP system uses a gas turbine as the prime mover and has a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) in addition to an auxiliary boiler, electric and absorption chillers. The system is tied with the bulk electric grid; to export and sell excess power or import power when necessary. This study analyzes load management and cost optimization of CCHP systems. A heuristic strategy to optimize the total energy cost is then presented. The optimal size of CCHP is determined from the study results. This paper proposes a model for CCHP system optimization based on minimization of energy consumption and initial investment costs. It is to be noted that the selected variables are the size of the gas turbine, the absorption chiller capacity, and other dependent components.