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Investigation of the Use of Low Temperature Geothermal Organic Rankine Cycle Engine in an Autonomous Polygeneration Microgrid

Author

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  • George Kyriakarakos

    (Department of Natural Resources and Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos Street, GR 11855 Athens, Greece)

  • Erika Ntavou

    (Department of Natural Resources and Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos Street, GR 11855 Athens, Greece)

  • Dimitris Manolakos

    (Department of Natural Resources and Agricultural Engineering, Agricultural University of Athens, 75 Iera Odos Street, GR 11855 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

Low-enthalpy geothermal resources (<150 °C) can be used for electricity generation and are widespread around the world, occurring at shallow depths. At the same time, in many parts of the world, there are existing low-enthalpy geothermal wells that are used for a multitude of applications such as for buildings’ heating and agriculture-related applications. The dominant technology to convert low-grade heat (<150 °C) to electricity is the Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC). The autonomous polygeneration microgrid (APM) concept aims to holistically meet in a sustainable way the needs of an off-grid community in terms of electrical loads, space heating and cooling, potable water production through desalination, and the use of hydrogen as fuel for transportation, in the most cost-effective manner possible. Photovoltaics (PVs) and wind turbines have been investigated extensively, since PVs can be installed practically anywhere in the world and wind turbines in areas with sufficient wind potential. The aim of this paper is to investigate techno-economically the potential of utilizing low-enthalpy geothermal resources in small-scale APMs through an ORC engine to fully satisfy the needs of small settlements. In order to accomplish this task with confidence, a case study for the Greek island of Milos has been developed and a typical settlement has been considered. It is worth mentioning that experimental results from a realized low-power (<10 kW e ) ORC engine manufactured to operate at temperatures up to 140 °C are used to add reliability in the calculations. In order to meet the needs of the people, four different APMs based on PVs, wind turbines, and geothermal ORC of different but appropriate configurations were designed and sized through optimization. The optimization process was based on particle swarm optimization (PSO). The comparative examination of the results shows that the use of a low-power, low-temperature ORC engine in an APM is technically feasible; more cost effective than the configurations based on PVs, wind turbines, or combination of both; and has increased environmental sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • George Kyriakarakos & Erika Ntavou & Dimitris Manolakos, 2020. "Investigation of the Use of Low Temperature Geothermal Organic Rankine Cycle Engine in an Autonomous Polygeneration Microgrid," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-20, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:24:p:10475-:d:462297
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. George Kyriakarakos & George Papadakis & Christos A. Karavitis, 2022. "Renewable Energy Desalination for Island Communities: Status and Future Prospects in Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-23, July.
    2. Carlos Lorente Rubio & Jorge Luis García-Alcaraz & Juan Carlos Sáenz-Diez Muro & Eduardo Martínez-Cámara & Agostino Bruzzone & Julio Blanco-Fernández, 2022. "Environmental Impact Comparison of Geothermal Alternatives for Conventional Boiler Replacement," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-15, November.
    3. Reyes-Antonio, Claudio Antonio & Iglesias-Silva, Gustavo Arturo & Rubio-Maya, Carlos & Fuentes-Cortés, Luis Fabián, 2024. "Multi-objective design of off-grid low-enthalpy geothermal generation systems considering partial-load operations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 294(C).

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