System Optimization of the Cogeneration Facility at Texas A&M University—Present Operation and Load

The combined-cycle cogeneration facility on the central campus of Texas A&M University was analyzed for its present performance and an optimized mode of operation. The analysis was carried out using a plant Energy Optimization Program (EOP) that has been developed by Sega, Inc. The program uses Dither algorithms to match the energy demand and supply at each energy level (node), by choosing the lowest cost supplier among all the energy suppliers at the energy node. When this is done for all the energy nodes as the campus load varies throughout the year, one can determine the hourly and then the annual cost of operating the plant under both the existing and the optimized modes. The results were also compared with those obtained by using the Navy’s Civil Engineering Laboratory Cogeneration Analysis Program (CELCAP), and the agreement was within 5 percent. Comparison with actual costs produced an agreement to within 1 percent. Finally, certain recommendations are made as to a more cost-efficient mode of operating the present facility.