The performance and the efficiency of a trigeneration system fueling with pure diesel and with raw jatropha oil are investigated using the ECLIPSE software. The study is based on a diesel engine generating set. The genset is used for electrical power generation only. acting as a single generation. The trigeneration system consists of the genset, a waste heat recovery system and an absorption refrigerator. The genset is used to generate electricity; the waste heat system is used to collect the waste heat from the cooling system and the exhaust from the engine, to supply heating/hot water; and the absorption refrigerator is used to supply cooling/refri geration, which is driven by the waste heat from the engine instead of electricity. A comparison of the thermal efficiencies and the CO2 emissions of trigeneration with single generation and cogeneration (combined heat and power - CHP) is carried out. The results from the study show that the thermal efficiency of trigeneration is higher than that of single generation; the CO2 emissions of trigeneration are lower than that of single generation. The results also show the performance differences between the trigeneration and single generation; and the differences between trigeneration and cogeneration. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.