SE-14-024 -- Preliminary Test and Analysis of a Stirling-Engine-Based Residential Trigeneration System at TRCA Archetype Sustainable House PDF

In order to investigate the feasibility of combined heating, cooling, and power generation system in residential sector, an integrated system was designed and installed at the Archetype Sustainable House (ASH) of Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). A Stirling-engine-based cogeneration unit was used to produce the thermal energy for a thermally driven chiller. The engine supplies hot water up to 95°C (203 °F). The overall efficiency of 90% is calculated for the cogeneration system tests. Validated TRNSYS simulated model of the building was used to calculate the cooling and heating demand of the house. A comprehensive analysis was conducted to carry out the feasibility of using a microtrigeneration system in residential houses using Toronto weather data. Performance of this system in the same building was also analyzed in other Canadian cities’ weather as well. It is shown that a natural gas based trigeneration system reduces the annual gas consumption and annual electricity consumption.