Exergo-economic analysis of a solar-driven multigeneration system for power, ammonia production, and cooling

The growing demand for sustainable energy solutions has intensified efforts to develop systems capable of efficiently utilizing renewable resources. This study explores an innovative solar-assisted multigeneration system designed to produce electricity, ammonia, and cooling simultaneously. A comprehensive thermodynamic and exergo-economic evaluation was performed to assess its performance, focusing on energy and exergy efficiencies along with economic viability. The proposed mathematical model incorporates solar collectors, an ammonia production module, a supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) Brayton cycle for power generation, and an absorption chiller for cooling applications. This research addresses the crucial need for integrated energy solutions that enhance solar energy utilization while reducing inefficiencies and costs. The findings reveal that the proposed system attained an overall energy efficiency of 21.74 %, with the ammonia synthesis unit achieving a notable exergy efficiency of 76.1 %. Additionally, the levelized cost of fuel (LCoF) was found to be competitive with conventional energy generation methods, reinforcing the system's economic feasibility. These outcomes highlight the potential of this advanced configuration to contribute to the development of renewable energy technologies, providing an efficient and cost-effective approach to clean energy production. The study offers valuable insights into system optimization, paving the way for future applications in sustainable energy systems.