Page 298 - Sustainable On-Site CHP Systems Design, Construction, and Operations

CHAPTER 17

Sustaining Operational

Efficiency of a CHP System

Srinivas Katipamula

Michael R. Brambley

his chapter is intended to provide background information on why sustaining
operations of CHP is important. It also provides the algorithms for CHP system
Tperformance monitoring and commissioning verification (CxV). The latter
process starts by presenting system-level and component-level performance metrics,
followed by descriptions of algorithms for performance monitoring and CxV, using the
metrics presented earlier in the chapter.
Verification of commissioning is accomplished by comparing actual measured per-
formance to benchmarks for performance provided by the system integrator and/or
component manufacturers. The results of these comparisons are then automatically
interpreted to provide conclusions as to whether or not the CHP system and its compo-
nents have been properly commissioned, and where problems are found, guidance for
correcting problems. The use of these algorithms is then illustrated by applying them to
CHP laboratory and field data. The chapter concludes with a discussion on how these
algorithms can be applied in the real world.

Background
Although recent technology advancements have made building-scale CHP a more viable
option, there are several challenges that need to be overcome before CHP technologies are
universally adopted in the commercial buildings sector. Because they rely on interactions
among systems, CHP technologies are more complex than existing building systems.
Unless the various components of these systems work as an integrated unit, their full
operating potential as well as their full market penetration potential will not be realized,
and could be damaged if early installations encounter operation problems. Integration of
CHP technologies with existing building systems brings additional challenges that need
to be addressed as well. Finally, many commercial buildings lack adequate control infra-
structure, building staff trained to operate CHP systems, and proven operations and
maintenance practices for reliable and optimal operation of these systems.
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