Design of Total Site-Integrated TrigenerationSystem using trigeneration cascade analysis considering transmission losses and sensitivity analysis

Distribution of energy from a Total Site Trigeneration Energy System (TSTES) to fulfil process energy demands can result in transmission losses due to frictions in pipelines and the electrical grid. Sensitivity analysis can be used to design the required backup system to address such risk. Previously, the Trigeneration System Cascade Analysis (TriGenSCA) method that was used to design a TSTES has assumed no transmission losses and ignored the need for a backup utility system. This paper proposes an extension of the TriGenSCA to consider transmission and storage energy losses and sensitivity analysis to enable a trigeneration system involving batch processes to produce realistic energy targets and to design a backup utility system of appropriate capacity. The methodology was applied on a case study involving a Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) integrated with a trigeneration system within an industrial Total Site comprising four process plants. This study shows an increase of up to 15% in total annual cost for a trigeneration system with transmission losses as compared to the one without transmission losses, and it shows that Plant B shutdown, which requires additional 3.1 MW low-pressure steam and 3.25 MW of hot water represents the worst-case scenario of a single plant shutdown. [Display omitted] •Transmission energy losses and sensitivity analysis considered in TriGenSCA.•Frictional energy losses through piping and electrical grid during transmission.•Backup systems requirement to cater for a pre-determined emergency scenario.•Increase of 15% in total annual cost for transmission losses in trigeneration system.