The main goal of this study is to provide the most suitable energy
supply system configuration for a building. In other words, the
developed approach returns the best combination of proposed
technologies and corresponding optimal size of its components. It
is intended to simultaneously minimize the total net present cost of
the system for the entire life time of the system, minimize annual
CO2 emission and maximize RER while satisfying a certain level of
reliability. For this purpose, a practical optimization tool has been
developed, which is constructed based on hybridizing simulation
with an optimization algorithm. In this regards, the heating, cooling,
and electricity load profile on hourly basis is defined for the
building in a reference year. Further, relevant hourly weather data
of the year is entered to the model as input data. To specify
employed technologies, the actual cost data is considered as well
mathematical models and the technical structures are stated for the
components. Based on these data, three objective functions are
optimized with respect to the energy balance equations and other
technical constraints. The expected results of the model are the
optimal combinations of the examined renewable energy convertors
and their corresponding optimal capacities. Besides, the model
returns system performance throughout a reference year. It is
notable that in this study, the main focus is on the energy supply
system whereas the life cycle cost analysis of the whole building is
not carried out. Additionally, the optimization of building envelope
is not considered, and it is assumed as its current situation.