Optimisation of combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) systems incorporating the solar and geothermal energy: a review study

Abstract

Recently, numerous studies have focused on simulation and optimisation of combined cooling, heat, and power (CCHP) systems. This research, from a different perspective, aims to conduct a comprehensive review of the studies performed in the field of solar, geothermal or combined sources, and subsequently analysing the multi-objective evolutionary algorithms to identify the most efficient situation, which satisfy researchers' needs in order to attain a better performance in their ongoing or future research projects. It is worth noting that multi-objective optimisation in these cycles is based on optimising a thermodynamic term (exergy efficiency, thermal efficiency, etc.) and an economic term (the cost of consumables, maintenance costs, etc.), with the thermodynamic functions accounting for energy resources. Results of different studies in terms of design parameters, operation process, optimisation techniques, and other obtained results are compared. Additionally, a summary of typical performance characteristics and cost for the CCHP systems with different prime movers was presented. Results showed that the utilisation of CCHP systems is more efficient than simple single objective production systems. Furthermore, the use of Nano-fluids in solar collectors instead of water increases the heat transfer efficiency and specifically those of SiO₂, CuO, AL₂O₃ and TiO₂ lead to high performance.

KEYWORDS:

• CCHP system
• solar energy
• geothermal energy
• multi-objective optimisation

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.