PhD defense : Experimental and numerical studies of micro combined heat and power systems coupled with dwelling buildings and the grid

PhD defense : Jean-Baptiste BOUVENOT

Team : GCE

Title : Experimental and numerical studies of micro combined heat and power systems coupled with dwelling buildings and the grid

Abstract : Micro combined heat and power (μCHP) or cogeneration means the simultaneous generation of two energy types. In energetic fields, this term refers usually to the simultaneous production of electricity and heat: the principle being based on the recovering of the fatal heat induced by the electricity production processes. This work aims to improve and spread knowledge on µCHP technologies and assess its energetic, environmental and economic relevance under realistic conditions. Firstly, two test benches were carried out on two μCHP prototypes: a gas Stirling engine and a wood pellets steam engine. Experimental investigations were conducted to characterize each system at energy and environmental levels. The experimental results led two dynamic and semi physical numerical models of μCHP systems programmed in the numerical tool TRNSYS where a numerical platform has been developed. This platform integrates mainly energy storage systems models, stochastic energy needs file generators and innovative management strategy of systems and energy loads according to precision and realism criteria. This platform allows assessing realistic energy, environmental and economic relevance of μCHP systems coupled with dwelling buildings and the power grid according to different configurations in the specific french context.

This thesis was supervised by Monica Siroux and co-diriged by Benjamin Latour and Bernard Flament.

The presentation will take place on Friday 27th November 2015 at 10.30am in the room Arp of the INSA of Strasbourg. This thesis will be supported in French.