Integrating renewable energy technologies to support building trigeneration – A multi-criteria analysis

This paper evaluates the potential of hybridising renewable technologies to support trigeneration. A model for trigeneration has been developed for simulation and evaluation. The developed trigeneration system aims to be self-sustaining where cooling, heating and power needs of a commercial building are simultaneously fulfilled. The system comprises four key sub-systems, namely, photovoltaic-thermal, solar-thermal, fuel cell, microturbine and absorption chiller-water system. Conventionally, a trigeneration system is analysed based on cost reduction without considering the energy used and the level of carbon dioxide emission. In contrast, this paper presents an analysis of the system using a multi-criteria analysis approach in terms of: (1) operation cost reduction, (2) energy saving; and (3) minimum environmental impact. For the present trigeneration system layout, our result has indicated that a trigeneration system consisting of 80% of microturbine, 10% of photovoltaic-thermal and 10% fuel cell to be the optimum system composition in terms of reducing operational cost, improving energy saving and minimising environment impact. The methodology portrayed in this study provides a pragmatic approach in the design of renewable energy systems to support trigeneration applications.