Optimum operation for a back-pressure cogeneration system under time-of-use rates

This paper proposes a Newton based algorithm which will decide the optimum load allocations of boilers and generators under the time-of-use rates subject to satisfying all the operation constraints. This scheme is capable of handling the non-linear cost function and correlated constraints between the electric power and steam generation for the cogeneration system. The proposed scheme has been successfully applied to a real cogeneration plant, and results indicate that (1) at least 2% energy saving can be achieved, (2) TOU rates play an important role in the operation strategy, and (3) it might be of help in choosing the cogeneration system.