Techno-economic analysis of a zero carbon energy system for heating purposes
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Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Insinööritieteiden korkeakoulu |
Master's thesis
Authors
Date
2022-08-22
Department
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Nordic Master Programme in Innovative and Sustainable Energy Engineering (ISEE)
Language
en
Pages
6+97
Series
Abstract
The current socio-political scenario, combined with the energy crisis, has determined the importance of energy independence and the role that a sustainable energy transition could play in achieving this goal. Recent political developments are accelerating what was already stated in the Swiss federal plans, which focus on decentralization of power production, including a higher penetration of renewables, a reduction in energy consumption, an increase in buildings efficiency, and a shift in user habits. To implement decentralized generation and consumption while reducing the use of fossil fuels, one of the solutions is to create district heating and cooling systems, powered by indigenous renewable sources. In line with the national plans, this thesis presents a purpose-built techno-economic model of a district heating and cooling system. The system employs decentralized renewable energy production, both solar and geothermal, to provide space heating and cooling, domestic hot water, and electricity to a neighborhood in Rivera, Switzerland. Synergies between Lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen storage are explored, resulting in a solution that provides cost reductions up to 46% compared to the business-as-usual scenario, and an energy self-consumption of 78%. In addition, the system sells the excess energy to the grid, supporting the decarbonization of the national energy mix. Alternative scenarios were created, employing exclusively Li-ion batteries or hydrogen storage, and studying the possibility of reaching full independence from the national grid. A third alternative scenario studied the possibility to install additional PV and the effects it would have on the system layout. A further analysis was performed comparing the results of the new model with those of a commercial optimization tool to assess whether the latter offered reliable results in the case of complex systems models.Description
Supervisor
Järvinen, MikaThesis advisor
Madani, HatefBozzolo, Dario
Keywords
district heating, hydrogen, sustainability, energy, energy independence