Optimum source sizing to satisfy time varying demand

The Screening curve method is a simple technique used in power system planning since decades. Though it is normally used for power system planning, it is possible to apply the method to a wide array of engineering applications. In this paper, the screening curve based graphical methodology is applied to minimize the energy requirement of a compressed air system and to minimize the total annualized cost of a refrigeration system. However, the graphical screening curve methodology is not directly applicable to expansion planning problem with existing sources. A tabular methodology is proposed to optimize expansion planning of systems with time varying demands. The proposed methodology is demonstrated with an example of refrigeration system. Proposed graphical as well as tabular methodologies are simple to understand and effective to optimize a diverse range of engineering problems.