Energy management and primary energy optimization of a thermally interconnected semi-autonomous commercial district via optimized μ-CHP dispatch strategy

The paper presents the energy balance and Primary Energy Consumption of a pertinent innovative energy management concept for districts with buildings coupled by thermal and electric micro-grids. A group of centrally controlled μ-CHP units produces heat and power within the district bounds. Power imports/exports to the public grid and heating auxiliary boilers sustain the balance between production and demand. The energy conversion devices (gas boilers, ICE, Stirling, SOFC units and back-up boilers) are considered for two settings: a “Reference” (central power generation and separate gas boilers) and a “μ-CHP” (decentralized μ-CHP units) case. In the latter case the district acts as a small scale energy producer and can export to the market. A fictitious commercial district, located in the central/commercial part of Munich is simulated as an example. The Matlab based, in-house developed software DEPOSIT simulates the complete district and all energy flows. The importance of heat-led control, of primary energy factor following and heat demand forecasting is presented. A primary energy reduction of 12% is shown in the cogeneration case, despite the low electrical PEF for the electricity generation mix in Germany and the very few units installed.