Techno-economic optimization of configuration and capacity of a polygeneration system for the energy demands of a public swimming pool building

A polygeneration system is an energy system capable of providing multiple energy outputs to meet local demands, by application of high process integration. In this paper, optimal configuration and capacity of a polygeneration system for an indoor swimming pool building is determined by application of a method based on TRNSYS simulation and GenOpt optimization software. Based on the applicability, a superstructure of the polygeneration system is integrated, consisting of the following polygeneration modules: an internal combustion engine cogeneration module, a vapor compression chiller, and adsorption chiller, a ground source heat pump, flat plate solar thermal collectors, photovoltaic collectors, and heat storage. Annual behavior of energy loads of the public swimming pool building during a typical meteorological year and the polygeneration system are modeled and simulated using TRNSYS software, whereas techno-economic optimization is performed by GenOpt optimization. The results indicated the optimal configuration of the polygeneration system for the modelled energy demands, as well as the optimal capacity of the polygeneration modules, thus defining the optimal capacity of the polygeneration system for the energy demands of the public swimming pool building.