Abstract
Thermal cooling systems are particularly attractive in
locations supplied by district heating based on
cogeneration heating plants (CHP). Moreover, solar
thermal energy is a major renewable source for the
provision of thermal energy, fulfilling demands for space
heating, domestic hot water, process heat, and cooling.
This energy source can be suitably used also in Nordic
Countries.
The presented paper focuses on two configurations of a
cooling solar-driven thermal system for an office
building located in Finland. Dynamic simulation approach
has been used through TRNSYS software. In particular, the
configurations differ from the connection between the hot
storage tank, the solar collectors and the chiller.
Particularly, in the first configuration only the tank
can supply the chiller (Case 1), while in the second, the
chiller can be supplied either by the tank or the solar
collectors directly (Case 2). System performance indexes,
in case of district heating as main building heating
supply system in winter and as auxiliary heating system
for the chiller in summer, have been evaluated as a
function of the tank and solar thermal field sizes.
Results show that Case 2 has better performance than Case
1, because of the versatility shown in summer.
Particularly, when the solar irradiance is low, Case 2
solutions perform far better than Case 1 solutions,
benefitting from the direct connection between the solar
collectors and the chiller. This study has highlighted
also the potential of this technology in cold climate
areas supplied by means of DH based on CHP plants.
Indeed, the adoption of such cooling technology, in
addition to reduce both heating and cooling consumed
energy and to shave summer electricity peaks, can
potentially allow some CHP plants to operate also in
summer, fulfilling the future energy networks aims: being
able to provide electricity, heat and cooling energy.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 27-43 |
Journal | Applied Energy |
Volume | 166 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2016 |
MoE publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- Solar cooling driven system
- Absorption chiller
- Primary energy
- District heating
- Nordic countries