A large main frame cogeneration program was converted to personal computer format and used for cogeneration analysis of two buildings. Several modifications were necessary to make the program function on the personal computer. The most significant modification was a synthetic hourly heating, cooling, electric, and process loads generator. The synthetic loads generator permits the use of utility records for existing buildings instead of the output from an hour-by-hour energy simulation program.

The mainframe program has excellent simulation of equipment part performance that was retained in the personal computer version. Part-load recoverable heat can be used to satisfy heating, process, and absorption chiller input heat requirements.

Cogeneration feasibility for a 200,000 ft² building was analyzed with the personal computer version. Utility costs did not favor cogeneration for this building.

An 800,000 ft² convention center was simulated with heat storage and absorption chillers. Even with efficient use of the recoverable heat, the utility costs for this building are so low that cogeneration is not justified.

Units: I-P