Optimization and sensitivity analyses of a combined cooling, heat and power system for a residential building

In the quest for a better use of energy resources, integration, and cogeneration strategies have been employed in industrial commercial sectors with considerable benefits realized. However, residential sector remains underexplored. An optimization procedure should be carried out whenever there is need to ensure or verify economic viability an system. This study uses Mixed Integer Linear Programming optimize supply building, 20 floors 40 apartments, located city Joao Pessoa (northeast Brazil). The equipment available includes gas engines, electric natural boilers, heat exchangers, cooling towers, absorption mechanical chillers. establishes optimal system configuration operational strategy (operation throughout year). Economic, technical, legal aspects were considered minimization total annual costs associated building?s supply. demands calculated on hourly basis, one year, by EnergyPlus software corresponded hot water (83 MWh per year), electricity (171 (242 year) demands. was entirely reliant grid meet demand directly satisfy heating means boiler chiller. solution tested varying, within reasonable limits, selected parameters: tariffs, behavior residents, amortization factor, relationship between tariffs gas.