PERIODO: SETTEMBRE 2017


The course deals with the main aspects related to the characterization, evaluation and planning of multi-generation energy systems for small-scale (< 1 MW) applications. The adoption of multi-generation plants suitably designed and managed can outperform, from an energy saving and economic point of view, the traditional systems in which various forms of energy (e.g., electricity, heat, cooling, ¡K) are produced or purchased separately. The focus is on assessing the performance of distributed cogeneration prime movers, such as microturbines and internal combustion engines, coupled to various equipment for heating and cooling power production (trigeneration systems). Specific aspects concern the interactions with external energy networks (e.g., electricity, gas, district heating and cooling) and the economic assessment of the solutions in a competitive energy market framework. In particular, new techniques and indicators for the characterization, evaluation and planning of multi-generation plants are introduced and discussed. All course activities will be in English.

Introduction to cogeneration and trigeneration: generalities on components, schemes and applications.
- Components, models and characterization of small-scale cogeneration plants for distributed generation: microturbines; internal combustion engines; hints on fuel cells and Stirling engines.
- Components, models and characterization of small-scale cooling power and thermal power generation plants: combustion heat generators; electric and absorption chillers; electric and absorption heat pumps; engine-driven chillers and heat pumps; heat recovery within cooling plants.
- Characterization and planning aspects of cogeneration and trigeneration plants: input/output characterization; operational planning process; equipment regulation strategies; cogeneration and trigeneration load duration curve analysis; cogeneration ratio analysis; trigeneration lambda analysis; generation/load time-domain
characterization, interaction and constraints; suitability of trigeneration solutions to load configurations; comprehensive matrix characterization of multi-generation systems; black-box equipment models for implementation in time-domain simulations.
- Performance techniques, indicators and criteria for multi-generation energy systems: generalities on energy system and equipment performance indicators; unified theory of single and manifold energy vector production evaluation; reference models for the separate production of electricity, heat and cooling power; classical criteria for cogeneration and trigeneration system evaluation; energy saving and incremental indicators for cogeneration and trigeneration system evaluation.
- Performance evaluation of cogeneration and trigeneration plants: current practices and pitfalls in the energy system evaluation; comparison of different technologies for single energy vector production; energy saving and incremental evaluation of heat-and-electricity cogeneration; energy saving and incremental evaluation of cooling-and-electricity cogeneration; energy saving and incremental evaluation of alternative trigeneration schemes; energy saving and incremental evaluation of combined trigeneration schemes; CO2 and pollutant emission characterization, global and local environmental impact assessment of distributed multi-generation systems.
- Economic evaluation of cogeneration and trigeneration plants: costs involved in energy system planning; structure of the energy markets; economic assessment of energy systems: present worth analysis and profitability indicators; uncertainty modelling: multiscenario analysis and risk analysis; multi-generation system evaluation within a competitive market framework; market-oriented techniques for electricity production from multi-generation plants; hints on the evaluation of the externalities from multi-generation energy production.
- Case study applications and practical works


Monday 18 September 2017: hours 10:00-13:00 and 14:30-18:00
Tuesday 19 September 2017: hours 10:00-13:00 and 14:30-18:00
Wednesday 20 September 2017: hours 10:00-13:00 and 14:30-18:00
Thursday 21 September 2017: hours 10:00-13:00 and 14:30-17:00
Friday 22 September 2017: final exam (hours 9.30-10.30), with correction
and final results provided before hour 12.30

laboratorio Tommasini - DENERG - North side - underground floor