Evaluation of Integrated-Energy Projects: A Simplified Tool for Non-Expert Project Developers

Renewable-energy (RE) resources have become economically feasible options to cover local energy-needs. This fact has motivated many small entrepreneurs to start businesses related to RE. Yet, these new non-expert project developers usually offer either electrical or thermal solutions. However, the integration of both could result into an even more cost-effective solution. Although tools to design optimal solutions exist, these are typically too difficult or unreachable (due to cost or language) for small developers. In this paper, we present a simplified tool, targeted for non-expert developers, to compare electrical and thermal needs with energy potential. The paper is not intended to show new ways to evaluate energy projects, but rather to help small-scale RE developers to implement integrated-energy projects. We show the application of the tool into a project in Chile. The results show the daily-annual variation of the electrical and thermal demands, and local energy-resources in the same format.