DesignBuilder generators enable the simulation of cogeneration systems, aka Combined Heat and Power (CHP), and also trigeneration systems, aka Combined Cooling, Heat and Power (CCHP).
Generators consume a fuel such as natural gas or diesel to turn an engine or turbine which drives an electric generator to produce electricity. Water is used to cool the generator and is heated to provide a useful source of hot water. In terms of energy conversion, chemical energy in the fuel is converted to mechanical energy in the engine or turbine, which is converted to electrical energy in the electric generator. The use of the generated electricity is coordinated during the simulation through use of one or more Electric load centres. The system needs to be configured for cogeneration through connections to hot water or domestic hot water (DHW) plant loops in the detailed HVAC system. DesignBuilder currently supports the Internal combustion engine and Micro turbine generators.
Tip: to model a trigeneration system, where hot and chilled water and electricity are all generated, the generator hot water loop should be connected to an absorption chiller. An HVAC template is provided to illustrate this system.