Integration and performance analysis of a solar-driven combined cooling, heating, and power system: A case study in Libya

The increasing demand for sustainable and efficient energy systems, particularly in regions with abundant solar resources such as Libya, has underscored the need for innovative solutions to address energy shortages, reduce environmental impacts, and enhance energy security. This study proposes and evaluates a novel solar-powered Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power (CCHP) system, specifically tailored for Libya's climatic and energy conditions. The importance of this research stems from Libya's heavy reliance on fossil fuels for energy production, its underutilized solar potential, and the critical need for diversified, resilient energy systems capable of delivering continuous power, heating, and cooling simultaneously. The originality of the present study lies in the integration of a regenerative Brayton cycle, powered exclusively by concentrated solar energy, with an absorption cooling subsystem and thermal recovery unit, forming a fully solar-driven CCHP configuration. Unlike previous works that primarily address conventional CCHP systems or hybrid renewable integrations, this research uniquely models the combined thermodynamic behavior of a solar-powered regenerative Brayton-ARS system under the real-world climatic conditions of Tripoli, Libya. A further distinctive contribution is the detailed exergy analysis performed at the component level, highlighting key areas of irreversibility and guiding potential system improvements. The main findings of the simulation and performance analysis reveal that the system achieves a net electrical output of approximately 11,987 kW, along with a heating load of 5,523 kW and a cooling load of 6,816 kW. The overall CCHP energy efficiency reaches 83.67%, while the exergy efficiency stands at 45.59%, demonstrating effective energy utilization across all three energy forms. The electrical energy and exergy efficiencies are recorded at 41.23% and 43.42%, respectively, indicating the system's strong capability to convert solar energy into high-quality electrical power. The coefficient of performance (COP) of the absorption refrigeration system is approximately 0.81, which is typical for single-effect LiBr-water absorption systems. A detailed exergy destruction analysis showed that the solar receiver is the major contributor to system irreversibility, accounting for 45.33% of total exergy destruction. Other significant losses occur in the generator and heater components. The gas turbine and receiver exhibited high exergy efficiencies of 95.67% and 88.42%, respectively, highlighting their robust thermodynamic performance. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that increasing the Brayton cycle pressure ratio improves net power output while slightly decreasing the heating and cooling loads. Overall, the results confirm that the proposed system offers a highly efficient, sustainable, and regionally adapted solution for addressing Libya's pressing energy challenges. The findings provide valuable insights for future large-scale solar CCHP deployments in similar arid and high-solar-potential regions.