Re-establishing and Elucidating the right operation strategy foundation for combined heat and power systems

The operational strategies of Following Thermal Load (FTL) and Following Electricity Load (FEL) are pivotal for combined heat and power systems (CHPs) across diverse research and application contexts. However, this study reveals a long-standing misapplication of the FEL/FTL strategy, leading to substantial global energy inefficiencies persisting for decades. Through rigorous mathematical deduction and counter-example analysis, this research highlights the inadequacies of the conventional FEL/FTL approach and advocates for its revision to enhance energy conservation. Subsequently, employing the corrected operational foundation, this study introduces comprehensive methodologies for deriving optimal strategy maps applicable to various CHPs. Considerations include prime mover type, power grid efficiency, and the minimization of wasted thermal energy. A case study demonstrates that our proposed methodology can result in a 12 % reduction in fuel consumption compared to conventional energy supply schemes. The redefined operational foundation for CHPs not only rectifies existing practices but also provides a correct reference for future research in this domain.