An Energy Systems Engineering Approach to Polygeneration and Hydrogen Infrastructure Systems Analysis & Design
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Energy systems engineering provides a methodological scientific framework to arrive at realistic integrated solutions to complex energy problems, by adopting a holistic, systems-based approach. Such an integrated approach features: A superstructure representation - where alternatives in terms of energy technologies, raw materials and possible routes towards electricity & hydrogen, amongst others, are captured A mixed-integer optimization model - which allows for the development of a single mathematical model to represent all possible energy system alternatives within the superstructure, along with appropriate solution algorithms (MILP, MINLP, etc.) A multi-objective optimization approach -to simultaneously address and quantify the trade-offs amongst competing objectives, such as profitability, environmental impacts, energy consumption, and system operability An optimization under uncertainty strategy -to analyze the impact of technological uncertainties over a long-term horizon on the profit/energy consumption/ environmental impacts of an energy system In this paper, we will demonstrate the potential of energy systems engineering to systematically quantify different options at different levels of complexity (technology, plant, mega-system) through two real-life applications: (i) polygeneration energy systems, where a variety of fuel stocks, such as coal, natural gas and biomass, can be converted into a variety of products, such as electricity, transport fuels and chemicals, and (ii) hydrogen infrastructure planning problems, where the potential for using hydrogen as a clean sustainable fuel is assessed in some detail. Copyright 2009, AIDIC Servizi S. r. l.
