Structural Design of the mCCHP-RES System - Design for Micro-Combined Cooling, Heating and Power Systems - page 140

actuators, etc.), designing the device for connecting this equipment to the
system of data acquisition, and designing the software for monitoring the
whole device. The second action is the design of the numerical controllers in
the electric and thermal subsystems.
The twelfth step is System interface and consists in designing the hardware
and software components, which support the system s communication with

the exterior and its reaction to foreseeable dangerous disturbances.
Thus, the designer has at his disposal a number of solutions, which are well
characterized from the technical point of view, and may therefore make a
decision with regard to the best functional model.

'

2 Manufacturer Business Plan

The approach applied in designing a mCCHP system is fundamentally in uenced

by the way in which the business is conceived. In principle, there are two possible
business plans.
The first plan is based on the manufacturing and commercializing of mCCHP

systems for general use. With such a system, certain general technical character-
istics (referring to the nominal input-output values) are de

ned so that the system

may be selected in view of being used in a speci c application. When the client

selects such a system, the technical criteria used are linked to the need for the
system to cover the useful energy demand of his residence.
The second plan is based on the manufacturing and commercializing of several
general use components and their

s
residence. According to the two business plans, the design approach might be
closed-ended or open-ended, respectively.
Closed-ended approach. In this approach, the hypothesis stipulates both the
primary sources (few in number, even one single source) and the system

fitting in a system dedicated to the client '

' s structure.

Moreover, the exit requirements are well established and refer to the ow and the

structure of the useful energy that the system transmits to the residence. The variables
of the design problem are only the individual characteristics of the components. That
is why the design consists in their optimal dimensioning. Achieving such a system
consists in designing, manufacturing, and

fitting the components. This approach is
applied to the general use system, which is made and commercialized as distinct
complete units.
Open-ended approach. In this approach, the hypothesis only stipulates the area
where the residence is located and its characteristics. The output requirements are
established only in as far as the residence functions are concerned, functions that the
system must cover energetically (for instance: heating, cooling, charging of home
appliances or other utilities such as lifts, fountains, etc.). This approach is applied to
that system, which is made and commercialized as dedicated unit to a given residence.
Table 1 presents the differences between the two approaches that appear in
connection with the main features of the design process.