ACT_EFF and CHP configuration

[Antti-L]

> it would definitely be interesting to see how the marginal efficiency of the reduction operation could be adjusted in TIMES, thank you!

Ok, I will try and include that new option in the next TIMES release. I suggest that PRC_ACTFLO could be used for this purpose, such that e.g. PRC_ACTFLO=1.1 would increase the reduction heat gain by 10%. Any comments about that?

> CHPR = heat efficiency / electricity efficiency;   using observed operational values.
Now I’m wondering if that’s consistent

Observed values would be ok, but they should not be averages over different operation points, but in my view rather the observed maximum CHPR (heat-to-power ratio without using bypass), which would define the maximum point over the flexibility range of extraction CHP. However, if the maximum values represent some unusual conditions (beyond "nameplate" levels), I think you could use the nameplate values instead.

[Antti-L]

> However, for the pass-out (extraction) turbines, I wonder whether this CHPR~LO value corresponds to the heat and electricity efficiencies at minimum low-pressure condensation.

CHPR(LO) can be used when there is a technical lower bound for the heat-to-power ratio. For example, the turbo-generator or condenser capacity may not be large enough to support full condensing mode operation. In such cases one may also want to use a negative CEH, which would make the efficiency specified to represent the electrical efficiency in that operation point (instead of the full condensing mode).

[AdvisorDK]

[b]>>[/b] it would definitely be interesting to see how the marginal efficiency of the reduction operation could be adjusted in TIMES, thank you!

>Ok, I will try and include that new option in the next TIMES release. I suggest that PRC_ACTFLO could be used for this purpose, such that e.g. PRC_ACTFLO=1.1 would increase the reduction heat gain by 10%. Any comments about that?

No comments yet. We first need to test these CHP configurations across different timeslices and see how they respond to lower electricity prices. I also need to take a closer look at how PRC_ACTFLO works. So far, we’ve received very insightful inputs here that we want to try out, and we’ll come back with any further questions or unusual results. ?

[Antti-L]

For CHP processes, PRC_ACTFLO for a PCG commodity currently does nothing (it has no effect), and that's one reason I suggested to implement the new option by allowing to use it for this new functionality (adjusting the efficiency of the reduction heat). I have now implemented it already, and if you have no other suggestions about it, it will be available in the next release.