Assessment of the solar cooling technologies using analytical hierarchical process

2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-90
Author(s):  
Muhammad Usman ◽  
Qazi Shehzad Ali ◽  
Muhammed Bilal

Purpose Decreasing sources of fossil fuels has caused an increase in importance of the renewable energy resources and systems that directly utilize renewable energy are even more important. The purpose of the paper is to compare the most common solar cooling technologies against the most important requirements. Design/methodology/approach A multi-criteria decision methodology, analytical hierarchical process, has been used to prioritize these technologies with respect to each other. Findings The findings of this study are the priorities of selected solar cooling concepts against performance affecting criteria. The solar vapour adsorption cooling system has been found to be the optimum solar cooling concept with practically the highest performance number compared with the other cooling systems. Originality/value This study can be used in the future development of solar cooling technologies to benefit from the best collective features of the specific technologies.

Author(s):  
N. Fumo ◽  
V. Bortone ◽  
J. C. Zambrano

The Energy Information Administration of the United States Department of Energy projects that more than 80% of the energy consumption of the U.S. by 2035 will come from fossil fuels. This projection should be the fuel to promote projects related to renewable energy in order to reduce energy consumption from fossil fuels to avoid their undesirable consequences such as carbon dioxide emissions. Since solar radiation match pretty well building cooling demands, solar cooling systems will be an important factor in the next decades to meet or exceed the green gases reduction that will be demanded by the society and regulations in order to mitigate environmental consequences such as global warming. Solar energy can be used as source of energy to produce cooling through different technologies. Solar thermal energy applies to technology such as absorption chillers and desiccant cooling, while electricity from solar photovoltaic can be used to drive vapor compression electric chillers. This study focuses on the comparison of a Solar Thermal Cooling System that uses an absorption chiller driven by solar thermal energy, and a Solar Photovoltaic Cooling System that uses a vapor compression system (electric chiller) driven by solar electricity (solar photovoltaic system). Both solar cooling systems are compared against a standard air cooled cooling system that uses electricity from the grid. The models used in the simulations to obtain the results are described in the paper along with the parameters (inputs) used. Results are presented in two figures. Each figure has one curve for the Solar Thermal Cooling System and one for the Solar Photovoltaic Cooling System. One figure allows estimation of savings calculated based the net present value of energy consumption cost. The other figure allows estimating primary energy consumption reduction and emissions reduction. Both figures presents the result per ton of refrigeration and as a function of area of solar collectors or/and area of photovoltaic modules. This approach to present the result of the simulations of the systems makes these figures quite general. This means that the results can be used to compare both solar cooling systems independently of the cooling demand (capacity of the system), as well as allow the analysis for different sizes of the solar system used to harvest the solar energy (collectors or photovoltaic modules).


2012 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Fumo ◽  
V. Bortone ◽  
J. C. Zambrano

The Energy Information Administration of the United States Department of Energy projects that more than 80% of the energy consumption of the U.S. by 2035 will come from fossil fuels. This projection should be the fuel to promote projects related to renewable energy in order to reduce energy consumption from fossil fuels to avoid their undesirable consequences such as carbon dioxide emissions. Since solar radiation match pretty well building cooling demands, solar cooling systems will be an important factor in the next decades to meet or exceed the green gases reduction that will be demanded by the society and regulations in order to mitigate environmental consequences such as global warming. Solar energy can be used as source of energy to produce cooling through different technologies. Solar thermal energy applies to technology such as absorption chillers and desiccant cooling, while electricity from solar photovoltaic can be used to drive vapor compression electric chillers. This study focuses on the comparison of a solar thermal cooling system that uses an absorption chiller driven by solar thermal energy, and a solar photovoltaic cooling system that uses a vapor compression system (electric chiller) driven by solar electricity (solar photovoltaic system). Both solar cooling systems are compared against a standard air cooled cooling system that uses electricity from the grid. The models used in the simulations to obtain the results are described in the paper along with the parameters (inputs) used. Results are presented in two figures. Each figure has one curve for the solar thermal cooling system and one for the solar photovoltaic cooling system. One figure allows estimation of savings calculated based the present value of discounted energy consumption cost. The other figure allows estimating primary energy consumption reduction and emissions reduction. Both figures presents the result per ton of refrigeration and as a function of area of solar collectors or/and area of photovoltaic modules. This approach to present the result of the simulations of the systems makes these figures quite general. This means that the results can be used to compare both solar cooling systems independently of the cooling demand (capacity of the system), as well as allow the analysis for different sizes of the solar system used to harvest the solar energy (collectors or photovoltaic modules).


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Posobkiewicz ◽  
Krzysztof Górecki

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the validation of the usefulness of cooling systems containing Peltier modules for cooling power devices based on measurements of the influence of selected factors on the value of thermal resistance of such a cooling system. Design/methodology/approach A cooling system containing a heat-sink, a Peltier module and a fan was built by the authors and the measurements of temperatures and thermal resistance in various supply conditions of the Peltier module and the fan were carried out and discussed. Findings Conclusions from the research carried out answer the question if the use of Peltier modules in active cooling systems provides any benefits comparing with cooling systems containing just passive heat-sinks or conventional active heat-sinks constructed of a heat-sink and a fan. Research limitations/implications The research carried out is the preliminary stage to asses if a compact thermal model of the investigated cooling system can be formulated. Originality/value In the paper, the original results of measurements and calculations of parameters of a cooling system containing a Peltier module and an active heat-sink are presented and discussed. An influence of power dissipated in the components of the cooling system on its efficiency is investigated.


Author(s):  
Andrea Cremasco ◽  
Wei Wu ◽  
Andreas Blaszczyk ◽  
Bogdan Cranganu-Cretu

Purpose The application of dry-type transformers is growing in the market because the technology is non-flammable, safer and environmentally friendly. However, the unit dimensions are normally larger and material costs become higher, as no oil is present for dielectric insulation or cooling. At designing stage, a transformer thermal model used for predicting temperature rise is fundamental and the modelling of cooling system is particularly important. This paper aims to describe a thermal model used to compute dry transformers with different cooling system configurations. Design/methodology/approach The paper introduces a fast-calculating thermal and pressure network model for dry-transformer cooling systems, preliminarily verified by analytical methods and advanced CFD simulations, and finally validated with experimental results. Findings This paper provides an overview of the network model of dry-transformer cooling system, describing its topology and its main variants including natural or forced ventilation, with or without cooling duct in the core, enclosure with roof and floor ventilation openings and air barriers. Finally, it presents a formulation for the new heat exchanger element. Originality/value The network approach presented in this paper allows to model efficiently the cooling system of dry-type transformers. This model is based on physical principles rather than empirical assessments that are valid only for specific transformer technologies. In comparison with CFD simulation approach, the network model runs much faster and the accuracies still fall in acceptable range; therefore, one is able to utilize this method in optimization procedures included in transformer design systems.


2017 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 50-65
Author(s):  
Dilek Temiz Dinç ◽  
Aytaç Gökmen ◽  
Zehra Burçin Kanık

Energy is the source of development of the mankind and an indispensable input for economic growth. Currently, most of the energy consumed in the world is composed of fossil fuels which are not environmentally friendly and reliable since their prices are volatile and their supply compels importing countries dependent on energy exporting countries. Thus, a good remedy to reduce fossil fuel dependency is to utilize more renewable energy resources. Renewable resources can be replenished quickly, are almost infinite and would lead a country to sustainable development. The Republic of Turkey is a net importer of energy. The diversification of energy sources and supply security is of great importance for it. Thus, the objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between renewable energy production and economic growth in Turkey by using Johansen Cointegration Test, Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), Granger Causality Test and the Augmented Dickey-Fuller Test (ADF). Consequently, both long run and short run a casualty running from GDP growth to renewable energy production is determined in the study.


Author(s):  
Carlos Naranjo-Mendoza ◽  
Jesús López-Villada ◽  
Gabriel Gaona ◽  
Jerko Labus

This paper presents a comparative analysis of three different solar cooling system configurations developed for a case study building in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Guayaquil is a city located at the Ecuadorian coast with an average annual temperature of 25°C. The city’s need for air conditioning throughout the year and the relatively intense solar radiation provide a great opportunity for implementation of solar cooling systems. The first cooling system includes a 175 kWc single-effect absorption chiller powered by evacuated tubes solar thermal collectors. This system was compared with two 140 kWc compression chiller systems (air-cooled (AC) and water-cooled (WC)) powered by grid-connected photovoltaics. Both constant flow rate (CFR) and variable flow rate (VFR) of chilled water were analyzed. The three systems have to satisfy a cooling demand of the top floor in one governmental building (app. 1296 m2) which was selected as case study. Additionally, two 140 kWc conventional compression chiller systems (AC and WC) were included in the comparison as reference systems. Cooling demand of the building was simulated in EnergyPlus and coupled with the appropriate system configurations developed in TRNSYS. The weather file (TMY) was developed based on real meteorological data collected in the last decade. The present analysis was extended with the prediction scenarios for the years 2020, 2050 and 2080 using climate change adapted weather files.


Subject The implications of a large US financial sector. Significance The largest US banks have posted strong first-quarter earnings amid attacks by Senator Elizabeth Warren, who has presented programmes to scale back the size and influence of too-big-to-fail (TBTF) banks. However, a recent Bank for International Settlements (BIS) paper argues that the growth of large financial sectors stymies wider productivity, growth and innovation. This case could motivate policymakers of both parties to take a renewed look at the industry. Impacts Consolidation in the financial sector may be leaving the industry vulnerable to future shocks. The energy sector could be the next bubble, as renewable energy and carbon pricing could drive oil, gas and coal companies into bankruptcy. This would imperil the 6 trillion dollars of global investment into fossil fuels since 2007.


1985 ◽  
Vol 107 (2) ◽  
pp. 136-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. L. Warren ◽  
M. Wahlig

Economic and thermal performance analysis is used to determine cost goals for typical commercial active solar cooling systems to be installed between the years 1986 and 2000. Market penetration for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems depends on payback period, which is related to the expected return on investment. Postulating a market share for solar cooling systems increasing to 20 percent by the year 2000, payback and return on investment goals as a function of year of purchase are established. The incremental solar system cost goals must be equal to or less than the 20-year percent value of future energy savings, based on thermal performance analysis, at the desired return on investment. The methodology is applied to determine the allowable incremental solar system cost for commercial-scale, 25-ton absorption cooling systems based on the thermal performance predicted by recent simulation analysis, Methods for achieving these cost goals and expected solar cooling system costs will be discussed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanghyun Lee

Photovoltaics (PV-also called solar photovoltaic devices) are used to harness the power of the sun via the electronic process that occurs within semiconductor cells. The solar energy is absorbed by the cells, which causes the electrons to break away from their atoms, allowing them to flow within the material to produce electricity. This electricity will become the renewable energy for Kentucky, as the generation of coal will but come to a stop within the near future. Like Denmark who is running on 100% renewable generation we must stride to become fully operational on solar. In the present work, we systematically studied about renewable energy resources, in particular, solar energy for the application of photovoltaic panels in Eastern Kentucky. By analyzing data from our PV cells at Morehead State University designed to follow the direction of the sun for optimized output and by incorporating MPPT charge controllers, we have constructed a maximum power algorithm that performs best for the location. Utilizing these, measurements of daily electricity production in comparison to the average power needed for household use has validated our research. With the advancements in solar cell technology what was once impossible is now reality, as solar power can easily power this region based on our data. Knowing this, being a prime location we can now push to enable the advancement of renewable energy production and become less dependent on fossil fuels, thus creating an infrastructure that will run off solar power.


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