The energy consumption pattern and operation strategy of a combined cooling

heating and power generation (CCHP) system at a thermal power plant in Shanghai was introduced and the heat-to-electric ratio in all seasons were analyzed. The operation of the plant was optimized by evaluating the environmental and economic benefits by comparing CCHP to the system that separates cooling

heating and power generation. The results shown that

to generate the same amount of steam

the coal consumption could be reduced by 3.94 % by using the CCHP system compared to the independent system. The NOx and SO2 emissions could also be reduced by 0.1 t and 7.1 t

respectively. Furthermore

theoretically speaking

the coal consumption could be reduced by 23% and 11% in summer and transition season

respectively

after optimizing the operation of the plant.