| Title |
An integrated combined power and cooling strategy for small islands |
| ID_Doc |
68823 |
| Authors |
Yousefzadeh, M; Lenzen, M; Tyedmers, EK; Ali, SMH |
| Title |
An integrated combined power and cooling strategy for small islands |
| Year |
2020 |
| Published |
|
| DOI |
10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122840 |
| Abstract |
Small Pacific islands are highly dependent on diesel fuel imports to run diesel generators for their electricity needs. Diesel generators are less than 40% efficient and at least 60% of energy is wasted in the form of heat. A significant share of the electricity is consumed for running electric reefer containers that are employed by islanders for the conservation of imported food. This study investigates the feasibility of constructing a Cooling Service Centre (CSC) to host the reefer containers of a small island, utilizing the recovered heat from the exhaust of the diesel generators of the island's power plant, and using Nauru as a case study. Two scenarios are considered: in the first, a cool-store hosting the reefer containers is maintained at a predetermined temperature. In the second, fixed porthole reefer containers are stacked in an open area next to the power plant. In both scenarios, absorption chillers are employed to convert the recovered heat from the generator exhausts and provide cooling. The remainder of the recovered heat is utilised for heating the inlet water of three reverse osmosis (RO) desalination units to increase the flow rate of permeate (fresh water) production. The results show that the most economically feasible scenario is a cool-store held at -20 degrees C, with a pay-back period of 10 years. In a business model where users of the CSC facilities pay for cooling space, the required monthly service charge per reefer container has a maximum of AU$556 for the lowest considered diesel price. This compares favourably with the current monthly electricity cost of AU$1350 that users pay to keep each reefer container running. Such a reduction in the expenses of business owners would make, at least, around a AU$440,000 annual saving in the costs of preservation of imported food and a significant reduction in its market price. Also, the annual water production of desalination units increases by 81 million litres, thus significantly alleviating potential water shortages. Besides, an annual reduction of around 1.1 kilotonnes in total carbon emission is expected to be achieved. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. |
| Author Keywords |
Heat recovery; Sustainable island; Cool store; Reefer container; Reverse osmosis desalination; Cooling service centre |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED) |
| EID |
WOS:000579500800025 |
| WoS Category |
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology; Engineering, Environmental; Environmental Sciences |
| Research Area |
Science & Technology - Other Topics; Engineering; Environmental Sciences & Ecology |
| PDF |
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