Multi-objective optimization and sensitivity analysis of a cogeneration system for a hospital facility

Combined heat and power plants are recognized as very effective solutions to achieve the increasingly stringent requirements in primary energy saving. The paper addresses the use of a specifically developed methodology to conduct several analyses on the basis of the loads of a specific hospital facility and through the study of the cogeneration system-user interaction. Predictive analyses are carried out using a multi-objective approach to find optimized plant configurations that approaches the best energetic results while ensuring a reasonable profit. Optimized plant configurations and management strategies indicate primary energy savings exceeding 17%. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is carried out to evaluate the robustness of the results (C) 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.