Optimal configuration of energy supply system in a microgrid with steam supply from a municipal waste incinerator

We present the optimal design of energy supply system of a urban microgrid by using a Mixed Integer Non Linear Programming model. We have conducted a feasibility study of energy supply system using waste steam from incinerator plants via a steam distribution network in the urban redevelopment project area in Tokyo as a case study. We compared the optimal configuration of both of a district heat and cooling (DHC) system and a microgrid system with sufficient self generation capacity as an energy supply system in the redevelopment area. We present the economic and environmental effectiveness of the microgrid with large scale cogeneration and steam supply from incinerator plants as unharnessed energy. Large scale cogeneration with high efficiency has capability to reduce 20% of primary energy consumption and 2% of the amount of CO₂ emissions compared with a new constructed DHC system. Steam supply from incinerator plants has capability to reduce about 3% of CO₂ emissions. Pay-back time of the microgrid for commercial and residential area is 4 to 6 years. The microgrid with large scale gas engine generators is economically viable.