Optimization design of BCHP system to maximize to save energy and reduce environmental impact

The energetic and environmental performances of building cooling heating and power (BCHP) system are closely dependent on its design and operation strategy. This paper analyzes the energy consumptions of a conventional separation production (SP) system and a BCHP system respectively and constructs their corresponding environmental impact models. Furthermore, three energy-related environmental issues, global warming, acid precipitation and stratospheric ozone depletion, are assessed in the proposed emission model. To maximize the benefits (energy-saving and emission-reducing) achieved by the BCHP system in comparison to the SP system, genetic algorithm (GA) is employed to optimize the capacity of BCHP system in consideration of its operation mode. A numerical case of BCHP system for a hotel building is applied to ascertain the effectiveness of the optimal method and demonstrate the performances of the optimal BCHP system. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.