Energy Performance Evaluation of a Solar PVT Thermal Energy Storage System Based on Small Size Borefield
In this study, a PVT-based solar-assisted ground source heat pump (SAGSHP) system with a small size borefield as the long-term heat storage component was energetically evaluated. The mathematical model of the system was formulated in TRNSYS and three cities with distinctive climates were chosen: Ath...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/21/7906 |
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| author | Evangelos I. Sakellariou Petros J. Axaopoulos Bill Vaneck Bot Ioannis E. Sarris |
| author_facet | Evangelos I. Sakellariou Petros J. Axaopoulos Bill Vaneck Bot Ioannis E. Sarris |
| author_sort | Evangelos I. Sakellariou |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In this study, a PVT-based solar-assisted ground source heat pump (SAGSHP) system with a small size borefield as the long-term heat storage component was energetically evaluated. The mathematical model of the system was formulated in TRNSYS and three cities with distinctive climates were chosen: Athens (Greece); Melbourne (Australia); and Ottawa (Canada). The parametric analyses were carried out for 10 years by varying the number of the PVT collectors and the size of the earth energy bank (EEB). The evaluation of the systems was made via two energy indicators, and the heat flow across the EEB was analyzed. The under-consideration system was found capable of establishing self-sufficiency as regards the energy consumption (renewable power fraction RPF > 1) for all locations. Namely, for Athens, any system with more than four PVT collectors, and for Melbourne, any system with more than eight PVTs was found with an RPF higher than 1, regardless of the EEB size. For Ottawa, self-sufficiency can be achieved with PVT arrays larger than 12 collectors for small EEBs, and with eight collectors for larger EEBs. The storage capacity was found to be an important parameter for the energy performance of the system. In particular, it was determined that, as the storage capacity enlarges the RPF and the seasonal performance factor (SPF) of the system improves, mainly due to the reduction of the electricity consumed by the heat pump and the auxiliary heating. Moreover, a larger storage capacity facilitates solar heat production by enlarging the available heat storage volume and by maintaining the EEB at relatively low temperatures. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:07:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ce0976e94dd740959a1bfeac5486ec1a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T19:07:48Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-ce0976e94dd740959a1bfeac5486ec1a2023-11-24T04:28:37ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732022-10-011521790610.3390/en15217906Energy Performance Evaluation of a Solar PVT Thermal Energy Storage System Based on Small Size BorefieldEvangelos I. Sakellariou0Petros J. Axaopoulos1Bill Vaneck Bot2Ioannis E. Sarris3Department of Mechanical Engineering, Campus Ancient Olive Grove, University of West Attica, 250, Thivon & P. Ralli Str., 12241 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Campus Ancient Olive Grove, University of West Attica, 250, Thivon & P. Ralli Str., 12241 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Campus Ancient Olive Grove, University of West Attica, 250, Thivon & P. Ralli Str., 12241 Athens, GreeceDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Campus Ancient Olive Grove, University of West Attica, 250, Thivon & P. Ralli Str., 12241 Athens, GreeceIn this study, a PVT-based solar-assisted ground source heat pump (SAGSHP) system with a small size borefield as the long-term heat storage component was energetically evaluated. The mathematical model of the system was formulated in TRNSYS and three cities with distinctive climates were chosen: Athens (Greece); Melbourne (Australia); and Ottawa (Canada). The parametric analyses were carried out for 10 years by varying the number of the PVT collectors and the size of the earth energy bank (EEB). The evaluation of the systems was made via two energy indicators, and the heat flow across the EEB was analyzed. The under-consideration system was found capable of establishing self-sufficiency as regards the energy consumption (renewable power fraction RPF > 1) for all locations. Namely, for Athens, any system with more than four PVT collectors, and for Melbourne, any system with more than eight PVTs was found with an RPF higher than 1, regardless of the EEB size. For Ottawa, self-sufficiency can be achieved with PVT arrays larger than 12 collectors for small EEBs, and with eight collectors for larger EEBs. The storage capacity was found to be an important parameter for the energy performance of the system. In particular, it was determined that, as the storage capacity enlarges the RPF and the seasonal performance factor (SPF) of the system improves, mainly due to the reduction of the electricity consumed by the heat pump and the auxiliary heating. Moreover, a larger storage capacity facilitates solar heat production by enlarging the available heat storage volume and by maintaining the EEB at relatively low temperatures.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/21/7906PVTGHESAGSHPGSHPPVT-SAGSHPEEB |
| spellingShingle | Evangelos I. Sakellariou Petros J. Axaopoulos Bill Vaneck Bot Ioannis E. Sarris Energy Performance Evaluation of a Solar PVT Thermal Energy Storage System Based on Small Size Borefield Energies PVT GHE SAGSHP GSHP PVT-SAGSHP EEB |
| title | Energy Performance Evaluation of a Solar PVT Thermal Energy Storage System Based on Small Size Borefield |
| title_full | Energy Performance Evaluation of a Solar PVT Thermal Energy Storage System Based on Small Size Borefield |
| title_fullStr | Energy Performance Evaluation of a Solar PVT Thermal Energy Storage System Based on Small Size Borefield |
| title_full_unstemmed | Energy Performance Evaluation of a Solar PVT Thermal Energy Storage System Based on Small Size Borefield |
| title_short | Energy Performance Evaluation of a Solar PVT Thermal Energy Storage System Based on Small Size Borefield |
| title_sort | energy performance evaluation of a solar pvt thermal energy storage system based on small size borefield |
| topic | PVT GHE SAGSHP GSHP PVT-SAGSHP EEB |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/21/7906 |
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