ITcon Vol. 11, pg. 269-284, http://www.itcon.org/2006/20

Optimization for cogeneration systems in buildings based on life cycle assessment

submitted:March 2005
revised:January 2006
published:May 2006
editor(s):Dana J. Vanier
authors:Ayat E. Osman, PhD. Candidate
University of Pittsburgh, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
email: aeo2@pitt.edu

Robert Ries, Assistant Professor
University of Pittsburgh, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
email: robries@pitt.edu
summary:This paper presents a model that is developed to optimize the selection and operation of energy systems in commercial buildings based on their environmental performance. The model can be used for decision support regarding infrastructure in both design and operation of building energy systems. The approach is composed of energy simulation to generate building’s energy demand, life cycle assessment (LCA) to model different energy systems, and optimization model to optimize the selection and operation of these energy systems. The energy systems that are discussed in this paper are cogeneration systems, average electric grid, gas boilers, and absorption and electric chillers. The performance criteria presented in this paper are primary energy consumption (PEC) and tropospheric ozone precursor potential (TOPP).
keywords:cogeneration, life cycle assessment, optimization.
full text: (PDF file, 0.297 MB)
citation:Osman A E and Ries R (2006). Optimization for cogeneration systems in buildings based on life cycle assessment, ITcon Vol. 11, Special issue Decision Support Systems for Infrastructure Management , pg. 269-284, https://www.itcon.org/2006/20