Abstract
In metropolises, it is unlikely to use the renewable energy sources to pursue zero carbon building design. But it would become possible if biofuel-driven trigeneration system (BDTS) is adopted. As such, it is essential to assess the application potential of BDTS under various loading, operating and climatic conditions. Besides the energy and environmental assessment of BDTS, it is paramount to evaluate the economic aspect in terms of carbon price. In this study, it was found that BDTS had definite primary energy saving and carbon emissions reduction in a high-rise hotel building as compared to the conventional system. In economic analysis, the BDTS primed with compression-ignition engine was not viable even in running cost due to the local biodiesel price level. The BDTS primed with spark-ignition engine and fueled by biogas, however, would have economic merit when carbon price was considered in Hong Kong. Adoption of carbon tax and social cost could have the payback of 4.1years and1 year respectively.
