ShareMicro-trigeneration trends and perspectives
Micro-trigeneration systems are emerging in various applications like residential buildings, hotels, hospitals, university campuses, automobiles, etc.
In a recent paper*, Deepesh Sonar et al. present a review of micro-trigeneration systems. Trigeneration systems use waste heat from prime movers to generate heating and cooling along with power. Small scale trigeneration power plants, typically, below 15 kWe, are called micro-trigeneration plants.
In such systems, over 80% of fuel energy is converted to useable energy.
They are emerging in various applications like residential buildings, hotels, hospitals, university campuses, automobiles, etc.
Main prime movers include conventional reciprocating internal combustion engines; however, novel technologies are emerging such as compact micro-turbines, stirling external combustion engines and fuel cells.
Regarding cooling, sorption chillers, desiccant cooling, vapour ejector refrigeration – possibly coupled with thermal energy storage in order to enhance the efficiency of the system – are attractive solutions.
The authors conclude that there is very large market potential for micro-trigeneration systems. However, introduction to the market has to be actively supported by research institutes, producers, and installation and service networks. Governmental policies, liberation of electricity, and prices of electricity and fuels are critical in the development of trigeneration systems.
* Deepesh Sonar et al. Micro-trigeneration for energy sustainability: Technologies, tools and trends, Applied Thermal Engineering 71 (2014)
In such systems, over 80% of fuel energy is converted to useable energy.
They are emerging in various applications like residential buildings, hotels, hospitals, university campuses, automobiles, etc.
Main prime movers include conventional reciprocating internal combustion engines; however, novel technologies are emerging such as compact micro-turbines, stirling external combustion engines and fuel cells.
Regarding cooling, sorption chillers, desiccant cooling, vapour ejector refrigeration – possibly coupled with thermal energy storage in order to enhance the efficiency of the system – are attractive solutions.
The authors conclude that there is very large market potential for micro-trigeneration systems. However, introduction to the market has to be actively supported by research institutes, producers, and installation and service networks. Governmental policies, liberation of electricity, and prices of electricity and fuels are critical in the development of trigeneration systems.
* Deepesh Sonar et al. Micro-trigeneration for energy sustainability: Technologies, tools and trends, Applied Thermal Engineering 71 (2014)