Evaluation of the Energy Supply Options of a Manufacturing Plant by the Application of the P-Graph Framework

• Main Authors: András Éles, László Halász, István Heckl, Heriberto Cabezas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-04-01
• Series: Energies
• Subjects: P-Graph framework; process network synthesis; multi-periodic model; optimization; energy efficiency; sustainability; biomass
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/12/8/1484

Industrial applications nowadays are facing the complexity of the problem of finding an optimal energy supply composition. Heating and electricity needs vary throughout a year and need to be addressed. There is usually power available from the market, but a company has other investment options to consider, such as solar power, or utilization of local biomass. Fixed and proportional investment and operational costs must be compared to long-term cost-efficiency. The P-Graph framework is an effective tool in the design and synthesis of process networks, and is capable of showing optimal decisions. In the present work, a new P-Graph model was implemented to address the synthesis of the energy supply options of a manufacturing plant in Hungary. Compared to the original approach, a multi-periodic scheme was applied for heating and electricity demands. Also, the pelletizer and biogas plant investments are modeled in the P-Graph with a new technique that better reflects equipment capacities and flexible input ratios. The best solutions in this case study in terms of total costs are listed. It can be concluded that a long-term investment horizon is needed for the incorporation of sustainable energy sources into the system to be cost-efficient.