A Comprehensive Optimization Framework for Designing Sustainable Renewable Energy Production Systems

As the world has recognized the importance of diversifying its energy resource portfolio away from fossil resources and more towards renewable resources such as biomass, there arises a need for developing strategies which can design renewable sustainable value chains that can be scaled up efficiently and provide tangible net environmental benefits from energy utilization. The objective of this research is to develop and implement a novel decision-making framework for the optimal design of renewable energy systems. The proposed optimization framework is based on a distributed, systematic approach which is composed of different layers including systems-based strategic optimization, detailed mechanistic modeling and operational level optimization. In the strategic optimization the model is represented by equations which describe physical flows of materials across the system nodes and financial flows that result from the system design and material movements. Market uncertainty is also incorporated into the model through stochastic programming. The output of the model includes optimal design of production capacity of the plant for the planning horizon by maximizing the net present value (NPV). The second stage consists of three main steps including simulation of the process in the simulation software, identification of critical sources of uncertainties through global sensitivity analysis, and employing stochastic optimization methodologies to optimize the operating condition of the plant under uncertainty. To exemplify the efficacy of the proposed framework a hypothetical lignocellulosic biorefinery based on sugar conversion platform that converts biomass to value-added biofuels and biobased chemicals is utilized as a case study. Furthermore, alternative technology options and possible process integrations in each section of the plant are analysed by exploiting the advantages of process simulation and the novel hybrid optimization framework. In conjunction with the simulation and optimization studies, the proposed framework develops quantitative metrics to associate economic values with technical barriers. The outcome of this work is a new distributed decision support framework which is intended to help economic development agencies, as well as policy makers in the renewable energy enterprises

A Comprehensive Techno-Economic Framework for Shale Gas Exploitation and Distribution in the United States

Over the past years, shale gas has turned into one of the most significant sources of energy in the United States. Technological advancements have provided the energy industry with the necessary tools to allow the economic exploitation of an enormous volume of natural gas trapped in shale formations. This has boosted the domestic gas production and generated a boom in other sectors of the economy in the country. However, major challenges are involved in the development of shale gas resources. A drastic decline of wells’ productivity, the costs involved in the gas production and distribution facets, and the volatile behavior of the energy market represent some of the complexities faced by a gas operator. In this context, the utilization of a comprehensive frameworks to analyze and develop long-term strategies can represent a meaningful supporting tool for shale gas operators. The main objective of this research work is the development and implementation a novel techno-economic framework for the optimal exploitation and delivery of shale gas in the United States. The proposed framework is based on an interdisciplinary approach that combines data driven techniques, petroleum engineering practices, reservoir simulations and mathematical programming methods. Data analysis algorithms are implemented to guide the decision-making processes involved in the unconventional reservoir and define the predominant trends of certain exogenous parameters of the system. Petroleum engineering practices and reservoir simulation models are required for a realistic description of the formations and the proper definition of strategies to extract the gas from the shale rock. Finally, the mathematical programming is required for describing the surface facilities design and operations to ensure the allocation of the shale gas in the different commercialization points. The output of this framework will provide the optimal operations and infrastructure by maximizing the net present value (NPV). To demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed decision-making structure, a case study based on the liquid-rich region of the Marcellus play is considered in this work. The application of the proposed framework depicts the influence of reservoir complexities and external factors in establishing optimal strategic decisions for the exploitation, processing and allocation of shale gas. The coordination of the different facets including the drilling and completion activities and the design and operation of the surface facilities has a key role in maintaining the economy of a shale gas venture above its economic threshold