Proceedings of the Second International Energy 2030 Conference,
November 4-5, 2008, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Design Methodology for Ecologically and Economically Optimizing Scheme for Introduction of Co-generation Systems

N. Maruyama
Mie University, Japan

S. Nakanishi
Mie University, Japan

Y. Sadamichi
Chang Mai University, Thailand

A. K. Gupta
University of Maryland, USA

Abstract
A life cycle impact assessment methodology is applied to specific co-generation energy systems consisting of gas turbines or gas engines, and then used to minimize the CO₂ emissions and environmental impacts during system operations. The operating costs of the system are estimated, too. These results are compared with those of ordinary energy systems. First, the energy demands of various facilities, including hotels, hospitals, office buildings and houses are analyzed. The hourly electricity and heat demands such as space cooling, space heating and hot water are estimated from the statistical data of living energy demands, depending mainly on the floor space for each case study. Second, the energy balances for each energy demand are formulated about whole system and respective system components. The algorithms applied here are the well-known simplex and branch-bound methods to seek optimized eco-operation solutions from objective functions in linear programming. The life cycle assessment-numerical eco-load total standard (LCA-NETS) evaluation method proposed by the authors is applied in this paper. The environmental impacts resulting from the specified co-generation systems are then evaluated. In this paper, the advantages and disadvantages of the introduction of co-generation systems are examined from the standpoints of ecological awareness and cost-effectiveness. By introducing the co-generation system to energy supply, the estimation result is 3-19% for environmental impact, 7-22% for CO₂ emission, and 4- 22% for Operating cost reductions. The results of this study provide a basis for useful recommendations for distributed power supply systems and further development of sustainable eco-energy supply systems.