Design Optimization and Demand Side Management of a Solar-Assisted Industrial Heating Using Agent-Based Modelling (ABM): Methodology and Case Study

Abstract

Heavy dependence on traditional fuels as well as connection to a significantly unreliable and inefficient grid (with about 20% energy loss) characterizes the Ethiopian industry. On the contrary, the country has many solar-suited industries for process heat augmentation in the low-to-medium temperature ranges. Thus, if properly designed and operated, solar thermal could give an opportunity for an efficient and cleaner alternative in these industries. This paper presents agent-based modeling (ABM) for an integrated optimization and demand side management (DSM) framework for solar-assisted industrial heating under varying load and weather condition. To demonstrate the validity and practicality of the proposed solution, a case study was conducted on Ethiopian textile industry. A payback period of 5.3 years and solar fraction of 66.7% was identified for an optimized system. Further with the implementation of DSM to guide the production policy of the industry, a 7.5% and 8.4% improvement in payback and solar fraction was achieved.