Formation structure of optimality by thermoeconomics: disassembling thermodynamic and external influences in energy systems’ design

In this paper an original thermoeconomic approach for the optimization of complex energy systems is presented, based on a revitalized concept of “scope”, and therefore indicated as Scope Oriented Thermoeconomics (SOT). In plants including dissipative components, it allows to formulate non-arbitrary allocation criteria as concerns marginal costs; consequently, the optimization process is disassembled to recognize the Formation Structure of Optimality, i.e. the specific influences of thermodynamic and economic parameters in the path toward the optimal design. The method is applied to a very didascalic example, that is the optimization of the condensation temperature in a vapour compression chiller; with reference to this application, the potential contribute of SOT in performing sensitiveness analyses is also shown. Finally, the method is conceived as an integration, and not as an alternative, to the existing thermoeconomic approaches; in particular, it can be conveniently applied using the topology of Symbolic Exergoeconomics, as shown with the analysis of the case study.