Sustainable energy systems for a remote island community

This paper evaluates the potential of integrating renewable energy technological resources for tri-generation applications in an island. The integrated tri-generation system has to be self-sustaining in delivering cooling, heating and power. Several CCHP (combined cooling heating and power) systems at different penetration levels were proposed. The CCHP systems comprising key prime movers include microturbines, photovoltaic, solar Stirling dish, fuel cell system, biomass power generator and an absorption cooling technology. The systems are judiciously designed to provide the island’s tri-generation needs. Three different operational schemes of varying renewable energy penetration were considered – peak shaving, 20% and 40% renewable energy penetration. Key results have suggested that reductions of approximately 20% in primary energy savings are realizable for all three cases. Additionally, a renewable energy penetration level of 40% yielded the largest reduction in terms of carbon dioxide emission. In terms of cost benefits for the proposed system combinations, peak shaving and 20% renewable energy penetration can realize savings of up to USD $150,000 per annum.