Optimal operation of an integrated energy system including fossil fuel power generation, CO 2 capture and wind

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) Vol. 36; no. 12; pp. 6806 - 6820
• Main Authors: Kang, Charles A., Brandt, Adam R., Durlofsky, Louis J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2011
• Subjects: CO 2 capture; Emission performance standard; Energy systems; Fossil-renewable integration; Optimization; Energy systems; Emission performance standard; CO 2 capture; Fossil-renewable integration; Optimization
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2011.10.015

This study considers the optimization of operations for an integrated fossil-renewable energy system with CO 2 capture. The system treated consists of a coal-fired power station, a temperature-swing absorption CO 2 capture facility powered by a natural gas combustion turbine, and wind generation. System components are represented in a modular fashion using energy and mass balances. Optimization is applied to determine hourly system dispatch to maximize operating profit given energy prices and wind generation data. A CO 2 emission constraint, modeled after a California law, is enforced. Idealized and realistic scenarios are considered, along with several different system specifications. For a year of operation, simulated using available wind and energy price data, operating profit for optimized operation is shown to be approximately 20% greater than profit using a heuristic procedure. The benefit from optimization is positively correlated with electricity price variability and mean wind generation. The impact of different component specifications and different CO 2 absorption solvents on the optimal operation of the energy system is also assessed. In total, this study demonstrates that the effective operating cost of an integrated energy system operating under a CO 2 emission constraint can be substantially reduced via optimal flexible operation. ► We model an integrated energy system comprising fossil fuel power generation with CO 2 capture and wind subject to a CO 2 emission constraint. ► We apply formal optimization techniques to system operations. ► Optimized dispatch produced about 20% more profit than heuristic dispatch. ► Optimization benefit is correlated with electric price variation and wind generation. ► The approach developed is applicable to a wide range of energy systems implementing CO 2 capture.