A tool for a time-dependent thermo-economic hierarchical approach for the investigation of energy systems, determining the optimal size and the best strategy of different prime movers in order to meet the energy (electrical, thermal, cooling) demands of a generic user is presented.In particular, a specific case study was developed around the smart polygeneration grid at the University of Genoa, Savona Campus (Italy), operational since 2014. The simulation method considered the time-dependent energy load demands as problem constraints, and included the real off-design performance maps of the generators. This approach allows determining both the optimal size and the best management strategy for each component of the polygeneration grid, during the entire year, by optimising an economic function including capital and variable costs as well as maintenance costs of the system.
