The Optimization of a Cogeneration System for Commercial Buildings by the Particle Swarm Optimization

Abstract

The cogeneration system provides electricity as well as heating and cooling, which consequently leads to a complexity of the design and operation of the system. It requires, therefore, the optimization of parameters such as the number of machines and the capacity of equipment. Generally, the problem can be expressed as a mixed integer nonlinear programming problem, and a lot of efforts would be required to solve it.
In this paper, we present a different approach to the optimization of cogeneration systems, which facilitates to find a quasi-optimum solution. The particle swarm optimization combined with a simulation of the system is applied to the minimization of the primary energy consumption and of the system cost. The results present the optimum system constitutions for medium- and large-sized buildings. The result of the system cost minimization under a constraint of the energy saving rate is also discussed.