Structural Design of the mCCHP-RES System - Design for Micro-Combined Cooling, Heating and Power Systems - page 130

1 Conceptual Framework

The step with which the design process starts is establishment of its conceptual
framework. Practically, this consists in delimitation of the space where will be
searched solutions for problems that occur during the design process. This space
will be called the search space. Each such type of problem represents a dimension
of this space. Further, each restriction that must be satis ed when solving such type

of problem represents a limitation of the respective dimension. All these limitations
delineate the search space. On the other hand, since the search space represents a
conceptual framework, the problems should be strategic.
An example of strategic problem is the architecture of the mCCHP system. A
solution to this problem could be the generic structural scheme shown in Fig. 1 .In
solving this problem, a restriction imposed was that the stored energy can only be
power or heat. This restriction delineates the search space excluding the alternative
in which the stored energy could not only be electrical or thermal, but also
chemical, for example.
Another example. Residence means a couple of building and mCCHP system. A
strategic problem, which could be one dimension of the search space, is whether, in
order to improve the performance, it may or may not alter the building, and if so,
what are the restrictions imposed. Can we change the thermal insulation, or even
other parts of this building?
The above examples show that: (a) the dimensions de ne the search space, while

the restrictions show its shape, (b) the reduction of the search space reduces both
uncertainty and cost of design process, and (c) the search space can have many
dimensions, but should be considered only those that appear to be important as
they give either conceptual clari

cation or information impact.

System structural components

Storages

Suppliers Consumers

Resources

• Solar

radiation

Lighting

• CHP unit

• Storages

Power
load

Power
consumption

• Power

storage

• PV panels

• Biomass

storage

Ventilation

• ST panels

• Chillers

• Gas grid

Cooling

• Boilers

Heat
consumption

Heat
load

• Heaters

Sources • Heat

storage

Elevation

• Power

grid

• Power

outlet

• Facilities

DHW

• Heat

grid

• Heat

valve

Load Consumption

Fig. 1 Generic structural scheme of the mCCHP system: residence functional needs and residence
energy sources; system structural components: consumers, suppliers, and storages; consumption
aggregating and load sharing