Systematic energy and exergy efficiency study and comparison between direct fired and indirect fired heating systems

Abstract

The variability in energy demand provides one of the greatest challenges utilities face in supporting the electrical grid. Utilities meet peak demand loads through more expensive generation methods and as a result, utilities will often charge large energy users based on their peak electrical demand as well as their overall energy consumption. The peak demand charge incurred can represent a signi cant portion of the total utility bill, thus taking measures to manage electrical demand can result in substantial cost savings. The goal of this research is to analyze the potential bene ts of utilizing a small-scale compressed air energy storage system as a form of demand management for an industrial manufacturer. A thermodynamic model has been developed to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a compressed air energy storage system based on the current energy and compressed air demands of the facility. The proposed system provides some of the facilities compressed air demand, produce energy to reduce the peak demand charge incurred and produce hot water which could be utilized for a variety of industrial processes. Finally, the model is validated with data from a nearby industrial manufacturing plant and the results are analyzed and discussed.