Efficiency of heat and work in a regional energy system


Book Description

One of the largest flows of energy in Swedish municipalities is the fuel-energy flow through the regional combined heat and power (CHP) plant. The customer products from this flow are mainly electricity to the electricity grid and heat to the building sector. There are many ways to describe and examine this fuel-energy flow, and there are many perspectives. This thesis presents one perspective. It is a top-down, analytical and numerical perspective on the efficiency of heat and work in a regional energy system. The analysis focus on the present situation in Linköping municipality and aims at describing the energy efficiency improvement potential. Three subsystems are considered, the regional production of electricity, the regional production of heat, and the regional public transport by bus. These three systems are physically all heat engines i.e. engines that derive work and/or heat from fuel combustion processes. It is important to notice that the analysis in this thesis does not describe the theoretical improvement potential, that potential is considerably higher than the implementable potential, but of no practical use. Instead the analysis is as far as possible based on real world measured efficiencies and efficiency values of best practice (Best available technology). The analysis shows that hardware investments at the CHP plant can improve the electricity generation efficiency and thereby reduce CO2 emissions. The investments are in high pressure turbines, medium pressure turbines and preheaters. The size of the improvement is hard to quantify because it depends partly on unknown factors in the surrounding electricity market. In the studied system CO2 reduction could be as high as 40 - 60 %. The regionally produced biogas would be used more efficiently if it were used in the local combined cycle gas turbine instead of being used in internal combustion engines in buses. The buses would instead be electrically driven. This use of biogas would create a better integrated fuel-energy flow and reduce heat losses. Another improvement is to reduce the system temperatures in the district heating system. The study shows that the efficiency gains, because of lower system temperatures, would increase electricity production by about 1 – 3%, and that greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by 4 – 20%. However, these improvements are dependent on demand side investments in the district heating system and are therefore slow to implement. Ett av de största energiflödena i svenska kommuner är bränsle/energi-flödet genom det regionala kraftvärmeverket. De konsumentprodukter som detta energiflöde producerar är främst uppvärmning av bostäder och elkraft. Det finns många sätt att beskriva och utvärdera detta bränsle/energi-flöde och det finns många olika perspektiv. Det här arbetet analyserar energiflödet med en analytisk ”top-down” metod. Analysen utgår ifrån den nuvarande situationen i Linköpings kommun och avser att belysa den förbättringspotential som finns med avseende på systemets verkningsgrad. Tre delsystem har studerats, det regionala systemet för värmeproduktion, det regionala systemet för elproduktion och det regionala kollektivtrafiksystemet för innerstadstrafik med buss. Dessa tre system är fysikaliskt värmemotorer d.v.s. de är system som nyttjar termisk energi från förbränningsprocesser för att utföra ett arbete och/eller generera värme. Det är viktigt att notera att analyserna i detta arbete inte avser att beskriva en teoretisk förbättringspotential. Analyserna avser istället att belysa den praktiska, implementerbara, förbättringspotentialen. Därför har arbetet så långt som möjligt utgått ifrån uppmätta data och numeriska värden på verkningsgrader ifrån redan existerande anläggningar eller tekniska komponenter. Analyserna visar att hårdvaruinvesteringar i det lokala kraftvärmeverket skulle öka elproduktionen och därigenom sänka koldioxidutsläppen. De investeringar som skulle behöva göras är investeringar i högtrycksturbiner, mellantrycksturbiner och förvärmare. De sänkta koldioxidutsläppen är svåra att kvantifiera eftersom de delvis beror på okända faktorer på den omgivande elmarknaden. Reduktionen av koldioxidutsläppen skulle kunna vara så stor som 40 - 60 %. Den lokalt producerade biogasen skulle användas mer effektivt om den användes i den lokala gaskombi-anläggningen istället för att användas som bussbränsle som är det nuvarande användningsområdet för detta bränsle. Bussarna skulle istället kunna ersättas med elbussar. En sådan förändring av biogas-användningen skulle innebära ett bättre integrerat energisystem med lägre värmeförluster. En annan möjlig förbättring av kraftvärmesystemet är att sänka returtemperaturerna i fjärrvärmesystemet. Analyserna visar att elverkningsgraden skulle förbättras 1 – 3 % och att koldioxidutsläppen skulle kunna minska med 4 – 20 %. Dessa förbättringar skulle däremot kräva investeringar på kraftvärmesystemets kundsida och bedöms därför vara långsamma att implementera.




Small and Micro Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Systems


Book Description

Small and micro combined heat and power (CHP) systems are a form of cogeneration technology suitable for domestic and community buildings, commercial establishments and industrial facilities, as well as local heat networks. One of the benefits of using cogeneration plant is a vastly improved energy efficiency: in some cases achieving up to 80–90% systems efficiency, whereas small-scale electricity production is typically at well below 40% efficiency, using the same amount of fuel. This higher efficiency affords users greater energy security and increased long-term sustainability of energy resources, while lower overall emissions levels also contribute to an improved environmental performance.Small and micro combined heat and power (CHP) systems provides a systematic and comprehensive review of the technological and practical developments of small and micro CHP systems.Part one opens with reviews of small and micro CHP systems and their techno-economic and performance assessment, as well as their integration into distributed energy systems and their increasing utilisation of biomass fuels. Part two focuses on the development of different types of CHP technology, including internal combustion and reciprocating engines, gas turbines and microturbines, Stirling engines, organic Rankine cycle process and fuel cell systems. Heat-activated cooling (i.e. trigeneration) technologies and energy storage systems, of importance to the regional/seasonal viability of this technology round out this section. Finally, part three covers the range of applications of small and micro CHP systems, from residential buildings and district heating, to commercial buildings and industrial applications, as well as reviewing the market deployment of this important technology.With its distinguished editor and international team of expert contributors, Small and micro combined heat and power (CHP) systems is an essential reference work for anyone involved or interested in the design, development, installation and optimisation of small and micro CHP systems. - Reviews small- and micro-CHP systems and their techno-economic and performance assessment - Explores integration into distributed energy systems and their increasing utilisation of biomass fuels - Focuses on the development of different types of CHP technology, including internal combustion and reciprocating engines




Geothermal Energy Systems


Book Description

Geothermal Energy Systems provides design and analysis methodologies by using exergy and enhanced exergy tools (covering exergoenvironmental, exergoeconomic, exergetic life cycle assessment, etc.), environmental impact assessment models, and sustainability models and approaches. In addition to presenting newly developed advanced and integrated systems for multigenerational purposes, the book discusses newly developed environmental impact assessment and sustainability evaluation methods and methodologies. With case studies for integrated geothermal energy sources for multigenerational aims, engineers can design and develop new geothermal integrated systems for various applications and discover the main advantages of design choices, system analysis, assessment and development of advanced geothermal power systems. - Explains the ability of geothermal energy power systems to decrease global warming - Discusses sustainable development strategies for using geothermal energy sources - Provides new design conditions for geothermal energy sources-based district energy systems




Climate Impacts on Energy Systems


Book Description

"While the energy sector is a primary target of efforts to arrest and reverse the growth of greenhouse gas emissions and lower the carbon footprint of development, it is also expected to be increasingly affected by unavoidable climate consequences from the damage already induced in the biosphere. Energy services and resources, as well as seasonal demand, will be increasingly affected by changing trends, increasing variability, greater extremes and large inter-annual variations in climate parameters in some regions. All evidence suggests that adaptation is not an optional add-on but an essential reckoning on par with other business risks. Existing energy infrastructure, new infrastructure and future planning need to consider emerging climate conditions and impacts on design, construction, operation, and maintenance. Integrated risk-based planning processes will be critical to address the climate change impacts and harmonize actions within and across sectors. Also, awareness, knowledge, and capacity impede mainstreaming of climate adaptation into the energy sector. However, the formal knowledge base is still nascent?information needs are complex and to a certain extent regionally and sector specific. This report provides an up-to-date compendium of what is known about weather variability and projected climate trends and their impacts on energy service provision and demand. It discusses emerging practices and tools for managing these impacts and integrating climate considerations into planning processes and operational practices in an environment of uncertainty. It focuses on energy sector adaptation, rather than mitigation which is not discussed in this report. This report draws largely on available scientific and peer-reviewed literature in the public domain and takes the perspective of the developing world to the extent possible."







Solar Thermal Conversion Technologies for Industrial Process Heating


Book Description

Solar Thermal Conversion Technologies for Industrial Process Heating presents a comprehensive look at the use of solar thermal energy in industrial applications, such as textiles, chemical processing, and food. The successful projects implemented in a variety of industries are shown in case studies, alongside performance assessment methodologies. The book includes various solar thermal energy conversion technologies and new techniques and applications of solar collectors in industrial sectors. Features: Covers the key designs and novel technologies employed in the processing industries Discusses challenges in the incorporation of the solar thermal system in industrial applications Explores the techno-economic, environmental impact and life cycle analysis with government policies for promoting the system Includes real-world case studies Presents chapters written by global experts in the field The book will be useful for researchers, graduate students, and industry professionals with an aim to promote mutual understanding between sectors dealing with solar thermal energy.




An Efficient Energy Future


Book Description

An Efficient Energy Future: Prospects for Europe and North America is a two-part book exploring the energy problems and policies for Europe and North America. The first part deals with energy demand problems and policies of the countries; two possible energy futures based on the scenarios of the MEDEE model; and energy demand projections for specific sectors: buildings, transport, and industry. The second part presents a collection of relevant energy demand indicators for the housing, transport, and industry sectors for all 17 covered countries.




Optimum Design of Renewable Energy Systems: Microgrid and Nature Grid Methods


Book Description

The management of global warming is a relevant issue throughout the world and has experts of various fields considering various methods to control Earth’s atmospheric temperature. While microgrid technology is emerging as the next generation energy supply system, renewable energy is often unstable and requires the support of conventional energy equipment. Optimum Design of Renewable Energy Systems: Microgrid and Nature Grid Methods investigates the development of highly efficient energy storage equipment and of operation optimization technology of compound energy systems. This book is an essential reference source for technical consultants, urban environment engineers, and energy researchers interested in the development of efficient energy systems and operation optimization technology.




Energy Demand Challenges in Europe


Book Description

This open access book examines the role of citizens in sustainable energy transitions across Europe. It explores energy problem framing, policy approaches and practical responses to the challenge of securing clean, affordable and sustainable energy for all citizens, focusing on households as the main unit of analysis. The book revolves around ten contributions that each summarise national trends, socio-material characteristics, and policy responses to contemporary energy issues affecting householders in different countries, and provides good practice examples for designing and implementing sustainable energy initiatives. Prominent concerns include reducing carbon emissions, energy poverty, sustainable consumption, governance, practices, innovations and sustainable lifestyles. The opening and closing contributions consider European level energy policy, dominant and alternative problem framings and similarities and differences between European countries in relation to reducing household energy use. Overall, the book is a valuable resource for researchers, policy-makers, practitioners and others interested in sustainable energy perspectives.




Renewable and Efficient Electric Power Systems


Book Description

This is a comprehensive textbook for the new trend of distributed power generation systems and renewable energy sources in electric power systems. It covers the complete range of topics from fundamental concepts to major technologies as well as advanced topics for power consumers. An Instructor's Manual presenting detailed solutions to all the problems in the book is available from the Wiley editorial department -- to obtain the manual, send an email to [email protected]