A new operation strategy for CCHP systems with hybrid chillers

Performance and economical efficiency of the combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) system mainly depend on the system structure, operation strategy and choice of facility capacity. This paper proposes a structural configuration of the CCHP system with hybrid chillers, consisting of a combined electric and absorption chiller, whose electric cooling to cool load ratio varies according to different electric and thermal loads in every hour. A new operation strategy, based on the variational electric cooling to cool load ratio, for the CCHP system with unlimited and limited power generation unit (PGU) capacity is investigated. Given the proposed operation strategy, an optimization algorithm is adopted to determine the optimal PGU capacity. In addition, a case study of a hypothetical hotel in Victoria, BC, Canada is conducted to verify the feasibility of the proposed CCHP system structure and the corresponding optimal operation strategy.

► A new operation strategy for the CCHP system is proposed.
► The idea of ‘matching’ is conceived in the design of the operation strategy.
► The PGU capacity is optimized under the proposed operation strategy.
► Electric cooling to cool load ratio is optimized hourly.
► The proposed operational strategy outperforms the FEL and FTL strategies.