PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

investigate how a residential micro-trigeneration system would perform underrealistic dynamic operating conditions and subject to different operational scenariosincluding increased residential energy-efficiency, different occupancy levels anddifferent plant configurations. Finally, the analysis in addition to including athorough analysis of the energetic and environmental performance of the differentscenarios being proposed also includes an in-depth analysis of different financialscenarios.1.4.2 The methodology adopted - An overviewThe research presented in this thesis makes use of the whole building simulation toolESP-r [61] to simulate the performance of a grid-connected micro-trigenerationsystem under a number of varying operating conditions. The system was modelled torepresent a micro-trigeneration system supplying both the electrical and the HVAC(heating, ventilation and air conditioning) demand of a multi-family residentialbuilding in the Mediterranean island of Malta. Given its location in the middle of theMediterranean sea, Malta is a good example of a sub-tropical Csa Köppen ClimateClassification (moderate rainy winters and hot dry summers) [62], typical not only ofsubstantial parts of southern Europe, but also parts of North Africa and parts of themiddle-east overlooking the Mediterranean, where micro-trigeneration couldpossibly have a large impact.A number of operating conditions were selected (this is explained in further detail inSection 1.4.2.1) and for each of these, a number of scenarios were created, either bydirectly changing the specific parameters of the ESP-r model or else through postprocessingof the data obtained from the simulations. The combineddeterministic/sensitivity approach discussed previously was then used to assess theperformance of the trigeneration system.Each individual scenario was simulated for a whole year, however to betterunderstand the seasonal performance of the micro-trigeneration system, thesimulations were sub-divided into three distinct seasons, the heating season (mid-December to mid-March), the cooling season (June to September) and the remaining16