Construction and Electrothermal Performance Evaluation of a Solar-Powered Emergency Shelter

Power outages and poor thermal conditions are common in emergency shelters. In light of this, a novel design for a solar-powered emergency shelter (SPES) with flexible photovoltaics is proposed and investigated in this paper. Firstly, the space and structure of SPES are designed based on ergonomic a...

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Main Authors: Tiangang Lv, Bing Liu, Rujie Liu, Li Zhu, Yujiao Huo, Mingda Ji
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-12-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/1/118
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author Tiangang Lv
Bing Liu
Rujie Liu
Li Zhu
Yujiao Huo
Mingda Ji
author_facet Tiangang Lv
Bing Liu
Rujie Liu
Li Zhu
Yujiao Huo
Mingda Ji
author_sort Tiangang Lv
collection DOAJ
description Power outages and poor thermal conditions are common in emergency shelters. In light of this, a novel design for a solar-powered emergency shelter (SPES) with flexible photovoltaics is proposed and investigated in this paper. Firstly, the space and structure of SPES are designed based on ergonomic and easy open-and-close requirements. Then, considering the finishing strength of the building and the convenience and economy of the processing design, the construction of solid models using a 1:2 equal scale, and three double-top SPES were developed, in which internal roofs are canvas, polyethylene(PE), and polyvinyl chloride(PVC). Finally, measurements and ANSYS-Fluent simulations are employed for testing the dynamic fluctuation of the electrothermal performance of SPES. It is found that the maximum differences between the inner roof interior side temperature (IRIST) and the outdoor ambient environment temperature (OAET) for S<sub>ref</sub>, D<sub>sc</sub>, D<sub>pe</sub>, and D<sub>pvc</sub> are 33.3 °C, 32.9 °C, 28.1 °C, and 25.9 °C, respectively, in winter conditions in China cold zone. The optimized design parameters of SPES in Poso City, Indonesia, characterized by equatorial humid climatic conditions, recommended that the air interlayer be 0.2 meters thick and the exhaust air volume be 0.3 m<sup>3</sup>/s. Mechanical ventilation coupled with evaporative conditioners can further reduce indoor temperatures effectively. This research offers a novel solution to the problems of indoor thermal environments and power outages for post-disaster resettlement.
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spelling doaj.art-6c59bea97239446c9337945607c4ee872024-01-10T14:55:52ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732023-12-0117111810.3390/en17010118Construction and Electrothermal Performance Evaluation of a Solar-Powered Emergency ShelterTiangang Lv0Bing Liu1Rujie Liu2Li Zhu3Yujiao Huo4Mingda Ji5Three Gorges Electric Energy Co, Ltd., Wuhan 430010, ChinaThree Gorges Electric Energy Co, Ltd., Wuhan 430010, ChinaThree Gorges Electric Energy Co, Ltd., Wuhan 430010, ChinaNational Industry-Education Platform of Energy Storage, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, ChinaAPEC Sustainable Energy Center, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)/National Energy Administration (NEA) of China, Tianjin 300072, ChinaNational Industry-Education Platform of Energy Storage, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, ChinaPower outages and poor thermal conditions are common in emergency shelters. In light of this, a novel design for a solar-powered emergency shelter (SPES) with flexible photovoltaics is proposed and investigated in this paper. Firstly, the space and structure of SPES are designed based on ergonomic and easy open-and-close requirements. Then, considering the finishing strength of the building and the convenience and economy of the processing design, the construction of solid models using a 1:2 equal scale, and three double-top SPES were developed, in which internal roofs are canvas, polyethylene(PE), and polyvinyl chloride(PVC). Finally, measurements and ANSYS-Fluent simulations are employed for testing the dynamic fluctuation of the electrothermal performance of SPES. It is found that the maximum differences between the inner roof interior side temperature (IRIST) and the outdoor ambient environment temperature (OAET) for S<sub>ref</sub>, D<sub>sc</sub>, D<sub>pe</sub>, and D<sub>pvc</sub> are 33.3 °C, 32.9 °C, 28.1 °C, and 25.9 °C, respectively, in winter conditions in China cold zone. The optimized design parameters of SPES in Poso City, Indonesia, characterized by equatorial humid climatic conditions, recommended that the air interlayer be 0.2 meters thick and the exhaust air volume be 0.3 m<sup>3</sup>/s. Mechanical ventilation coupled with evaporative conditioners can further reduce indoor temperatures effectively. This research offers a novel solution to the problems of indoor thermal environments and power outages for post-disaster resettlement.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/1/118solar-powered emergency shelter (SPES)design and constructionelectrothermal performancemeasurements and simulations
spellingShingle Tiangang Lv
Bing Liu
Rujie Liu
Li Zhu
Yujiao Huo
Mingda Ji
Construction and Electrothermal Performance Evaluation of a Solar-Powered Emergency Shelter
Energies
solar-powered emergency shelter (SPES)
design and construction
electrothermal performance
measurements and simulations
title Construction and Electrothermal Performance Evaluation of a Solar-Powered Emergency Shelter
title_full Construction and Electrothermal Performance Evaluation of a Solar-Powered Emergency Shelter
title_fullStr Construction and Electrothermal Performance Evaluation of a Solar-Powered Emergency Shelter
title_full_unstemmed Construction and Electrothermal Performance Evaluation of a Solar-Powered Emergency Shelter
title_short Construction and Electrothermal Performance Evaluation of a Solar-Powered Emergency Shelter
title_sort construction and electrothermal performance evaluation of a solar powered emergency shelter
topic solar-powered emergency shelter (SPES)
design and construction
electrothermal performance
measurements and simulations
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/1/118
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