Multi-criteria assessment of combined cooling, heating and power systems located in different regions in Japan

• Influences of building type and climate condition on the performances of CCHP systems are examined.
• The CCHP systems enjoy satisfied energy and environmental performances for commercial buildings.
• Hotels and hospitals are popular customers of the CCHP system from an integrated viewpoint.
• CCHP systems in Kagoshima achieve the most benefits for stores and offices.
• CCHP systems in Sapporo are more preferred for hotels and hospitals.

As an efficient measure for rational use of energy, the combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) system plays an increasingly important role in commercial buildings in Japan. In this study, aiming at examining the influences of building type and climate condition on the introduction of CCHP systems, four representative commercial building categories (hotel, hospital, store and office) located in six major climate zones in Japan are compared and evaluated. In order to have a comprehensive understanding about the performances of the assumed CCHP systems, besides simple assessment from energy, economic and environmental aspects, a multi-criteria evaluation method has been employed for the final determination. According to the assessment results, the CCHP systems in hotels and hospitals enjoy better overall performances than those in stores and offices. On the other hand, the potentials of energy-saving and CO2 emission reduction of the CCHP systems in the mild climate zones are smaller than that in other climate zones. In addition, the performances of CCHP systems in stores and offices located in Kagoshima are superior to those in other cities; while, CCHP systems in hospitals and hotels located in Sapporo illustrate better overall performance.