Framework for the implementation of a new renewable energy system in an educational facility

• Published in: Applied energy 2013-03, Vol.103, p.539-551
• Main Authors: Hong, Taehoon, Koo, Choongwan, Kwak, Taehyun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; carbon dioxide; case studies; climate change; computer software; contractors; Economic data; Educational facility; Energy; Energy consumption; Energy economics; Energy policy; Exact sciences and technology; General, economic and professional studies; greenhouse gas emissions; Life cycle CO2; life cycle costing; market analysis; Natural energy; New renewable energy; oils; prices; process design; Simulation; wind power
• ISSN: 0306-2619; 1872-9118
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.10.013

► A decision-maker can select the optimum renewable energy system using a framework. ► Both economic and environmental aspects of renewable energy can be assessed. ► The effect of renewable energy can be analyzed using LCC and LCCO2. ► Decision-makers can use the framework in practice by entering simple information. ► The optimum renewable energy can vary based on the facility’s characteristics. New Renewable Energy (NRE) has attracted considerable attention as a future energy source that might be a significant factor in establishing a sustainable energy supply system. This issue is becoming increasingly important due to the instability of oil prices and the issues surrounding climate change. The purpose of this research is to develop a framework for the implementation of building-scale NRE systems (solar photovoltaic, solar thermal, geothermal, and wind energy systems). For this research, ‘C’ High School facility in Seoul was selected as a case study, from where project characteristics and energy consumption data in 2010 were collected. This research (i) collected facility usage information and carried out market research on NRE systems; (ii) conducted a feasibility study of NRE systems; (iii) designed a detailed NRE system through energy simulation by using the software program ‘RETScreen’; and (iv) selected the optimal NRE system through a life cycle cost analysis and life cycle CO2 analysis. This research can be useful for educational facility managers or policymakers to determine whether or not an NRE system need to be introduced in a preliminary feasibility study, and to find out which NRE system is the optimal one for a given facility in the detailed design process. Also, it would benefit contractors in a competitive bidding process, where as one of the CO2 emission reduction methods, the results of this research could be a part of an educational facility improvement program.