PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

Stage 1 - Sustainable Fuel Supply Systems
The sustainable fuel system definition window gives the option to simulate fuel
supply profiles, import profiles from a database, or design profiles using a
profile designer. A variety of sustainable fuel generation methods are available
for simulation, and each system type has its own generation type definition
window (see Appendix 1), on which the user can input readily available
manufacturers’ information and process parameters. A variety of existing plant
types may be accessed from a database, and augmented as necessary.
Information may also be saved to the database. There may be energy demands
associated with the manufacture of sustainable fuels, and these are also defined
in the definition window.
When a system has been defined, supply profile and energy use graphs are
drawn in the sustainable fuel system definition window. If the profile is
satisfactory, it may be accepted and combined in the same way as the demand
profiles. The associated energy demands are added to the specified demands at
the matching stage.
‘Fuel Supply Profile Designer’ works in a similar way to that for demand. It
allows constant or predictable supplies, or supplies which do not require
processing, to be represented (e.g. wood or straw availability). Three ‘other’
categories are available for defining supply profiles of crop or process residues,
or other fuels that do not require processing. Profiles saved in the fuel supply
profile designer are accessed through the fuel supply database.
Stage 2 - Intermittent Supply Systems
The intermittent supply system definition window gives the option to simulate
supply profiles, import profiles from a database, or design profiles using a
profile designer. This section functions in the same way as the fuel supply
definition section. ‘Supply Profile Designer’ allows constant or predictable
supplies to be represented (e.g. nuclear base load, geothermal generation).
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