Multi-Objective Optimization of Solar Thermal Systems Applied to Portuguese Dwellings

Ana Cristina Ferreira, Angela Silva, José Carlos Teixeira and Senhorinha Teixeira
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Ana Cristina Ferreira: MEtRICs Research Centre, University of Minho, 4804-533 Guimarães, Portugal
Angela Silva: Escola Superior de Ciências Empresariais, Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, 4930-600 Valença, Portugal
José Carlos Teixeira: MEtRICs Research Centre, University of Minho, 4804-533 Guimarães, Portugal
Senhorinha Teixeira: ALGORITMI Research Centre, University of Minho, 4804-533 Guimarães, Portugal

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 24, 1-23

Abstract: Solar thermal systems have been widely used to increase energy efficiency in the building sector, since the use of renewable energy sources became one of the top priorities to meet environmental targets. The main objective of this study is the thermo-economic optimization of solar thermal systems for residential building applications, considering a multi-objective approach. The simulations were performed through a MatLab code by implementing an elitist variant of Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NASGA-II). The solar collection area and the linear loss coefficient as well as the tank storage volume were defined as decision variables. A two-dimensional Pareto front was obtained, considering as objective functions the minimization of the annualized investment cost and the maximization of the solar collection efficiency. Based on the best trade-off between both objectives and considering that the solar thermal systems can operate for a period of at least 15 years, the Pareto analysis led to the conclusion that a system with an annualized investment cost between 270 and 280 €/year allows reaching a collection efficiency of 60%. After the analysis of the optimal solution points, a configuration was selected to estimate the system total purchasing cost: a panel with a solar area of 4.17 m 2 and with a linear coefficient loss of 3.684 W/m 2 .K; a storage volume of 0.275 m 3 ; and a pump flow rate of 0.1364 m 3 /h. For this configuration, we estimated a total purchasing cost of 2545.0 €, whereas the solar collector and the storage tank are the most expensive components, representing a share of 42% and 43%, respectively. These results represent a specific cost of 610.3 €/m 2 per solar collection area.

Keywords: solar thermal systems; optimization; residential dwellings (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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