scholarly journals Performance Evaluation of a Small Scale Modular Solar Trigeneration System

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Handong Wang
Keyword(s):  
Vapor Pressure ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Modular System ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Increase With Increase ◽  
Energy And Exergy ◽  
System Operating

In order to improve the efficiency of solar thermal power (STP) system, a novel modular system combining cooling, heating, and power generation (CCHP) is proposed and introduced in this work. This modular CCHP system can simultaneously provide 10 kW electricity, −15~5°C coolant, and 60°C hot water to meet the requirements of cooling, heating, and electricity in a general family or other fields. The flow chart and working process of the modular system are introduced, based on which the energy and exergy efficiencies at the CCHP and STP operation modes are primarily evaluated and discussed. The results show that when the output electricity is constant, the overall efficiencies of energy and exergy of the system operating at the CCHP mode are 9.37 times and 2.62 times as big as those of the system operating at the STP mode, respectively. Thus, the modular solar thermal CCHP system can improve the energy and exergy efficiencies. Furthermore, calculation shows that both the overall energy and exergy efficiencies decrease with increase of inlet vapor temperature at given inlet vapor pressure, but both the efficiencies increase with increase of inlet vapor pressure at given inlet temperature.

scholarly journals A Multicriteria Methodology to Select the Best Installation of Solar Thermal Power in a Family House

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jaroslav Košičan ◽  
Miguel Ángel Pardo ◽  
Silvia Vilčeková
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Solar Thermal Power ◽  
Geographical Latitude ◽  
Family House

Solar thermal power is nowadays one of the trendiest topics in the construction industry, and it represents a valuable energy source of heating that reduces energy consumption. As solar panels produce heating during the day and consumers demand calefaction during the whole day, we use standby tanks (for domestic hot water) and buffer tanks (for heating) for storage. The latest developments improved the efficiency and useful life while reducing the volume of tanks. So, the presented research work deals with analyzing the solar thermal power in a family house. This work presents a method to create a decision support system to compare solar energy systems in houses from economical, technical, availability, and environmental concerns. The weights of the criteria selected considering the analytical hierarchy process are computed. Parameters required for energy production calculations (location, temperature, etc.) and energy consumption (inhabitants, outdoor temperature, etc.) are summarized. It can be stated that a universal best solar thermal scheme does not exist, as energy consumption depends on the other features and limits as well as energy production, geographical latitude of the location, and so forth. According to results, Case 3 (a gas boiler and a combination tank) is the best alternative for reducing the energy required, CO2 emitted, the best energy efficiency of the installation, and the lowest transmission losses. In other scenarios when the economic criteria are not so relevant, this should be the best case in the prioritization scheme.

Thermodynamic and Economic Assessment of Solar Thermal Power Plants for Cameroon

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-46
Author(s):  
Alain Christian Biboum ◽  
Ahmet Yilanci
Keyword(s):  
Power Plants ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Economic Assessment ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Thermal Power Plants ◽  
Solar Thermal Power ◽  
Energy And Exergy ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Installed Capacity

Abstract In this study, it is aimed to conduct the thermodynamic and economic analysis of solar thermal power plants using parabolic trough collectors (PTC), linear Fresnel reflectors (LFR) and solar tower (ST) technologies for Cameroon. The analysis is performed for each power plant with the installed capacity of 5 MWe. Initial investment costs for the solar thermal power plants using PTC, LFR and ST technologies are estimated to be 33.49 Million USD, 18.77 Million USD and 36.31 Million USD while levelized costs of electricity (LCOE) are found to be varying from 145.6 USD/MWh to 186.8 USD/MWh, 112.2 USD/MWh to 154.2 USD/MWh and 179.2 USD/MWh to 220.4 USD/MWh, respectively. For the solar thermal power plants using PTC, LFR and ST technologies, payback periods are obtained to be 6.57 years, 6.84 years and 6.02 years, and also, internal rates on the return are calculated to be 21.03%, 20.42% and 22.47%, respectively. Overall energy and exergy efficiency values are found to be 13.39% and 14.37%; 11.90% and 13.74%; 12.13% and 13.64% for the solar thermal power plants using PTC, LFR and ST technologies, respectively. In conclusion, it is seen that LFR technology presents the best performance with the combination of thermodynamic and economic metrics for the deployment of solar thermal power plants in the countries in sub-Saharan Africa like Cameroon.

scholarly journals Economic and Environmental Assessment on Implementing Solar Renewable Energy Systems in Spanish Residential Homes

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 4183
Author(s):  
Alberto Cerezo-Narváez ◽  
María-José Bastante-Ceca ◽  
José-María Piñero-Vilela
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Environmental Assessment ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Energy Behavior ◽  
The Impact

In Europe, buildings are responsible for more than one third of the total final energy demands and greenhouse gas emissions. In the last twenty years, the European Union has published a succession of energy performance of building directives to define and ensure the fulfilment of a series of objectives regarding greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, energy efficiency and energy generation from renewable sources in buildings. For its part, Spain is adapting its legal framework, transposing these directives with the aim of achieving greater energy efficiency and sustainability for buildings. Under this context, an energy, economic and environmental assessment is performed to analyze the impact of these regulatory changes on a single-family home including a photovoltaic installation for self-consumption with surpluses and/or a solar thermal installation for domestic hot water supply, located in each one of the eight thousand one hundred thirty-one municipalities that make up Spain. The energy behavior of the original house is compared with that obtained after it is updated with these new facilities. The transient system simulation tool is used for the energy study. The results show that the European objectives are far exceeded. The energy savings achieved range from 67% to 126%, carbon dioxide emissions decrease by 42% to 100% and energy bills are reduced in cost by 32% to 81%. The findings of this work can be used by policymakers as guidelines for the development of national strategic plans and financial incentives for the promotion of small-scale residential photovoltaic and solar thermal applications, as well as by designers, supervisors, managers and developers to include them in their projects.

A methodology to identify potential markets for small-scale solar thermal power generators

2016 ◽  
Vol 169 ◽  
pp. 287-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Sánchez ◽  
Anna Bortkiewicz ◽  
José M. Rodríguez ◽  
Gonzalo S. Martínez ◽  
Giacomo Gavagnin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Power ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Power Generators ◽  
Solar Thermal Power

scholarly journals Dynamic Modeling and Preliminary Performance Analysis of a New Solar Thermal Reverse Osmosis Desalination Process

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 4015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clément Lacroix ◽  
Maxime Perier-Muzet ◽  
Driss Stitou
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Reverse Osmosis ◽  
Dynamic Modeling ◽  
Thermal Energy ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Solar Thermal ◽  
Working Fluid ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Solar Collectors

Reverse osmosis (RO) is a desalination technique that is commonly preferred because of its low energy consumption. In this paper, an innovative, thermally powered RO desalination process is presented. This new thermo-hydraulic process uses solar thermal energy in order to realize the pressurization of the saltwater beyond its osmotic pressure to allow its desalination. This pressurization is enabled thanks to a piston or a membrane set in motion in a reservoir by a working fluid that follows a thermodynamic cycle similar to an Organic Rankine Cycle. In this cycle, the evaporator is heated by low-grade heat, such as the one delivered by flat-plate solar collectors, while the condenser is cooled by the saltwater to be treated. Such an installation, designed for small-scale (1 to 10 m3·day−1) brackish water desalination, should enable an average daily production of 500 L of drinkable water per m² of solar collectors with a specific thermal energy consumption of about 6 kWhth·m−3. A dynamic modeling of the whole process has been developed in order to study its dynamic cyclic operating behavior under variable solar thermal power, to optimize its design, and to maximize its performances. This paper presents the preliminary performance results of such a solar-driven desalination process.

Optimal Design of Micro-Turbine Cogeneration Systems for the Portuguese Buildings Sector

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lui´s B. Martins ◽  
Ana C. M. Ferreira ◽  
Manuel L. Nunes ◽  
Celina P. Lea˜o ◽  
Senhorinha F. C. F. Teixeira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Design ◽  
Gas Turbine ◽  
Gas Turbines ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Medium Size ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Inlet Temperature ◽  
Energy Prices ◽  
Cogeneration System

The use of combined heat and power (CHP) systems to produce both electric and thermal energies for medium-size buildings is on the increase, due to their high overall efficiency, high energy prices and political and social awareness. In this paper, an energy-economic study is presented. The main objective is to implement an analysis that will lead to the optimal design of a small cogeneration system, given the thermal power duration curve of a multi-family residential building. A methodology was developed to obtain this curve for a reference B-class building located in the North of Portugal. The CHP unit is based on a micro gas-turbine and includes an Internal Pre-Heater (IPH), typical of these types of small-scale units, and an external Water Heater (WH). A numerical optimization method was applied to solve the thermo-economic model. The mathematical model yields an objective function defined as the maximization of the annual worth of the cogeneration system. A purchase cost equation was used for each major plant component that takes into account size and performance variables. Seven decision variables were selected for the optimization algorithm, including performance of internal gas-turbine components and electrical and thermal powers. The results show that, the revenue from selling electricity to the grid and fuel costs have the greatest impact on the annual worth of the system. The optimal solution for the small CHP is sensitive to fuel price, electricity feed-in-tariff, capital cost and to the thermal load profile of the building. High European energy prices point towards future micro gas-turbines with better electrical efficiencies, achieved via a higher pressure-ratio compressor and turbine inlet temperature.

scholarly journals Experimental Assessment of a Multi-Variable Control Strategy of a Micro-Cogeneration Solar-ORC Plant for Domestic Application

2021 ◽  
Vol 312 ◽  
pp. 08006
Author(s):  
Diego Vittorini ◽  
Fabio Fatigati ◽  
Davide Di Battista ◽  
Marco Di Bartolomeo ◽  
Roberto Carapellucci
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Flat Plate ◽  
Thermal Power ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Domestic Hot Water ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Electrical Generation ◽  
Operating Points

Suitability to off-design operation, applicability to combined thermal and electrical generation in a wide range of low temperatures and pressures and compliance with safety and environmental limitations qualify small-scale Organic Rankine Cycle plants as a viable option for combined heat and power generation in the residential sector. As the plants scale down, the electric and thermal output maximization has to account for issues, spanning from high pump power absorption, compared to the electric output of the plant, to intrinsically low plant permeability induced by the expander, to the intermittent availability of thermal power, affected by the heat demand for domestic hot water (DHW) production. The present paper accounts for a flat-plate solar thermal collector array, bottomed by an ORC unit featuring a sliding vane expander and pump and flat-plate heat exchangers. A high-temperature buffer vessel stores artificially heated water – electric heaters, simulating the solar collector - and feeds either the hot water line for domestic use or the ORC evaporator, depending on the instantaneous demand (i.e., domestic hot water or electric power), the temperature conditions inside the tank and the stored mass availability. A low-temperature receiver acts like the heat sink of the ORC unit and harvests the residual thermal power, downstream the expander: a dedicated control, modelled to properly modulate the mass addition/subtraction to this storage unit allows to restore the operating points of the cycle and to limit the incidence of off-design operation, via real-time adjustment of the cycle operating parameters. Indeed, the possibility of continuous ORC generation depends on (i) the nature of the demand and (ii) the amount of hot water withdrawn from the high-temperature buffer vessel. The time-to-temperature for the mass stored inside the buffer affects the amount of ORC unit activations and eventually the maximum attainable generation of electric energy. The plant energy performance is experimentally assessed, and various characteristic operating points are mapped, based on test runs carried out on a real-scale ORC pilot unit.

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