Thermoeconomics and energy policies

Thermoeconomics is a discipline that integrates thermodynamic and economic analysis to provide optimized solutions for energy system design. Often, when designing industrial plants, it is necessary to perform a dynamic analysis of the system under consideration. This must be effectively supported by a thermoeconomic study, which allows for simultaneous thermal/thermodynamic and economic assessments to optimize the overall system. Static and dynamic system simulation is essential for performing energy analyses under various operating conditions. Dynamic analysis is unique in that it analyzes the system's transient state, taking into account variations in external parameters such as environmental variables and user requirements, such as time-varying process variables. In contrast, static analysis studies the system in steady-state conditions to obtain information on energy performance, possible system optimization strategies, etc. Currently, research at DIME/TEC (ÀugERE Research Group) focuses on three main areas:

  • Dynamic and thermoeconomic analysis of cogeneration (CHP) and trigeneration (CCHP) plants for industrial plants, with particular reference to the agri-food sector;
  • Innovative methodologies for energy analysis of systems;
  • Dynamic analysis of systems (e.g., solar panels, heat pumps, refrigerators, etc.)

Researchers

  • Federico Scarpa
  • Mattia De Rosa
  • Annalisa Marchitto
  • Augusto Bocanegra

Publications

  • Bocanegra J.A., Pallavidino E., Schenone C.Energy Balance of a Renewable Energy Community Using Stochastic Methods, a Case Study in Genoa City.(2024) Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2893 (1), art. no. 012123.DOI: 10.1088/1742-6596/2893/1/012123
  • Saffari M., Keogh D., De Rosa M., Finn D.P. Technical and economic assessment of a hybrid heat pump system as an energy retrofit measure in a residential building. (2023) Energy and Buildings, 295, art. no. 113256. DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113256
  • De Rosa M., Bianco V. Optimal insulation layer for heated water pipes under technical, economic and carbon emission constraints. (2023) Energy, 270, art. no. 126961. DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.126961
  • Bianco V., Marchitto A., Scarpa F., Tagliafico L.A. Application of PCMs to Improve Energy Efficiency in Residential Buildings. (2021) Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, 150 LNCE, pp. 1 – 12. DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-72404-7_1
  • Bianco V., Marchitto A., Scarpa F., Tagliafico L.A. Heat pumps for buildings heating: Energy, environmental, and economic issues. (2020) Energy and Environment, 31 (1), pp. 116 – 129. DOI: 10.1177/0958305X18787272
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