Introducing Students to Cogeneration Systems Using a Design and Analysis Software in Energy Systems

Abstract

An interactive software package is presented for evaluation and design of hybrid co-generation systems. This software with user-friendly interface is introduced to replace a previous graphical summary of a simulation of a Brayton Cycle-fuel cell cogeneration system in an introductory graduate course in the Energy Systems program at Northeastern University and an advanced undergraduate course at Universidad de América. The description of the software package code and how it is implemented is outlined. The code is a MATLAB simulation of a hybrid co-generation system including the analysis of the solid oxide fuel cell and reformer. While there was a small sample of students in 2020–2 class and special circumstances related to the COVD-19 restrictions, there is evidence that the software package was an improvement over the previous methodology. A written tutorial and YouTube interactive guide for students to download the software considered as an improvement by the student feedback survey.