The role of high efficiency trigeneration plants within sustainable smart microgrids: Performance analysis and experimental tests

The widespread of smart microgrids has been also determined by the development of more and more efficient cogeneration and trigeneration power plants fed by fossil fuels or renewable sources. In the residential and the tertiary sectors, many projects are focused on the installation of low size microturbines, engines, chillers and heat pumps to sustainably provide electrical and thermal energy to final users. In the present paper, the case of the Savona University Campus Smart Polygeneration Microgrid is highlighted, focusing on the performance of the trigeneration plant installed in the microgrid. The operation of the aforementioned trigeneration system, considered innovative for its installation within a microgrid, is described by analyzing real data gathered through an experimental campaign conducted at the Savona University Campus during a summer month. Furthermore, some performance indicators are proposed and the reported results are compared with literature data.