h i g h l i g h t s An optimised design model was developed for new build energy distribution schemes. The carbon constrained design was examined for a real case study at Ebbw Vale, UK. The carbon constraint significantly increases the cost of build to the developer. The optimal design and cost were shown to be sensitive to the year of construction. The method used to evaluate grid electricity emissions impacts the optimal design. a b s t r a c t The carbon constrained design of energy supply

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... frastructure for new build schemes was investigated. This was considered as an optimization problem with the objective of finding the mix of on-site energy supply technologies that meet green house gas emissions targets at a minimum build cost to the developer. An integrated design tool was developed by combining a social cognitive optimisation solver, an infrastructure model and a set of analysis modules to provide the technical design, the evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions and the financial appraisal for the scheme. The integrated design tool was applied to a new build scheme in the UK with a 60% target reduction of regulated emissions. It was shown that the optimal design and corresponding cost was sensitive to the year of build completion and to the assumptions applied when determining the emissions intensity of the marginal central generators.