4E analysis and three-objective optimization for selection of the best prime mover in smart energy systems for residential applications: a comparison of four different scenarios

Recently, using integrated energy systems for residential-scale applications has been of great interest to the researchers. The objective of this study is the proposal, techno-economic analysis, and optimization of the best prime mover for the residential scale combined cooling, heating, and power generation system (CCHP). Different prime movers consisting of solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), internal combustion engine (ICE), microgas turbine (MGT), and hybrid SOFC/GT system for power production are integrated with HRSG and double effect Li/Br refrigeration system for heating and cooling generation, respectively. A parametric study is conducted on the best case to find the key decision variables. Also, a very cutting-edge optimization, which is 3D multi-objective optimization, is carried out for minimizing the unit product cost and emission and maximizing the exergetic efficiency. Results revealed that the hybrid SOFC/GT has higher exergy efficiency of 69.06% and unit product cost of 37.78 $ GJ−1, among other case studies. Also, optimization results indicate a maximum exergy efficiency of 73.15%, and a minimum cost of 25.08 ($ GJ−1) can be reached for the SOFC-/GT-based CCHP system. Moreover, the optimized emission for the best-case scenario becomes 62.52 g MWh−1.