Multi-Country Analysis on Energy Savings in Buildings by Means of a Micro-Solar Organic Rankine Cycle System: A Simulation Study

Alessia Arteconi, Luca Del Zotto, Roberto Tascioni, Khamid Mahkamov, Chris Underwood, Luisa Cabeza, Jose Maldonado, Roberto Manca, André Mintsa, Carlo Bartolini, Toni Gimbernat, Teresa Botargues, Elvedin Halimic, Luca Cioccolanti

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)
34 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

In this paper, the smart management of buildings energy use by means of an innovative renewable micro-cogeneration system is investigated. The system consists of a concentrated linear Fresnel reflectors solar field coupled with a phase change material thermal energy storage tank and a 2 kWe/18 kWth organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system. The microsolar ORC was designed to supply both electricity and thermal energy demand to residential dwellings to reduce their primary energy use. In this analysis, the achievable energy and operational cost savings through the proposed plant with respect to traditional technologies (i.e., condensing boilers and electricity grid) were assessed by means of simulations. The influence of the climate and latitude of the installation was taken into account to assess the performance and the potential of such system across Europe and specifically in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, U.K., and Sweden. Results show that the proposed plant can satisfy about 80% of the overall energy demand of a 100 m2 dwelling in southern Europe, while the energy demand coverage drops to 34% in the worst scenario in northern Europe. The corresponding operational cost savings amount to 87% for a dwelling in the south and at 33% for one in the north.
Original languageEnglish
Article number119
JournalEnvironments
Volume5
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Nov 2018

Keywords

  • renewable technologies
  • combined heat and power production
  • organic Rankine cycle
  • buildings
  • energy savings

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