Modeling, planning and optimal energy management of combined cooling, heating and power microgrid: A review

A combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) microgrid with distributed cogeneration units and renewable energy sources provides an effective solution to energy-related problems, including increasing energy demand, higher energy costs, energy supply security, and environmental concerns. This paper presents an overall review of the modeling, planning and energy management of the CCHP microgrid. The performance of a CCHP microgrid from the technical, economical and environmental viewpoints are closely dependent on the microgrid's design and energy management. Accurate modeling is the first and most important step for planning and energy management of the CCHP microgrid, so this paper first presents an review of modeling of the CCHP microgrid. With regard to planning of the CCHP microgrid, several widely accepted evaluation methods and indicators for cogeneration systems are given. Research efforts on the planning methods of the CCHP microgrid are then introduced. Finally, the energy management of the CCHP microgrid is briefly reviewed in terms of cogeneration decoupling, control strategies, emission reduction and problem solving methods. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.