Simulation of a Cogeneration System in Developing the Concept of Smart Energy Networks

Abstract

In recent years, there has been significant pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, to achieve higher efficiency and to integrate greater amounts of renewable energy resources in energy system. Governments at all levels have recognized the environmental impacts of the energy sector, as well as the ways in which this sector is closely-linked to a range of economic issues (e.g., industrial development, inflationary prices and local economic development). In general, every effort has been made to cope with the challenges in providing a sustainable energy solution for achieving the goals.

Even though the concept of “Smart Grid” has recently been highlighted in the electricity sector to improve efficiency of energy use and to reduce greenhouse gases to achieve business goals, the driving initiatives for generating a Smart Grid are straightforward and its scope and functions differ from a Smart Energy Network (SEN) which has a broader boundary and more components. A comprehensive concept of SEN beyond Smart Grid is presented to effectively integrate energy systems which can not only cover available energy resources but also address sustainability issues.

The availability of new technologies for utilizing the renewable energy such as solar, wind and biomass, and reducing the carbon footprint of fossil fuels by including natural gas within an integrated energy network provides a base for better conservation of energy usage and providing a cleaner environment. Moreover, the new energy carriers such as hydrogen and sustainable natural gas integrated into cogeneration systems should be taken into account when such a network is developed.

A cogeneration system is a promising solution for effectively supplying energy to district consumers for high density urban environment. In this thesis, a new community-scale cogeneration system is modeled using TRNSYS (Transient System Simulation) software, which enables analysis of transient characteristics of cogeneration and to investigate critical factors which should be considered for successful integration into a SEN.

This thesis focuses on defining what a Smart Energy Network is, its functions and the critical criteria of demonstrating and validating this concept, and developing a model for cogeneration system according to the concept of Smart Energy Network.