Assessment on the Efficiency of an Active Solar Thermal Facade: Study of the Effect of Dynamic Parameters and Experimental Analysis When Coupled/Uncoupled to a Heat Pump

Peru Elguezabal, Alex Lopez, Jesus Maria Blanco and Jose Antonio Chica
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Peru Elguezabal: TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Astondo Bidea, Edificio 700, Parque tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160 Derio, Spain
Alex Lopez: Department of Nuclear Engineering and Fluid Mechanics, School of Engineering, UPV/EHU, Plaza Ingeniero Torres Quevedo 1, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
Jesus Maria Blanco: Department of Nuclear Engineering and Fluid Mechanics, School of Engineering, UPV/EHU, Plaza Ingeniero Torres Quevedo 1, 48013 Bilbao, Spain
Jose Antonio Chica: TECNALIA, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Astondo Bidea, Edificio 700, Parque tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160 Derio, Spain

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 3, 1-21

Abstract: The building sector presents poor performance in terms of energy efficiency and is looking for effective alternatives aimed at reducing the use of fossil fuels. The facade is a key element able to harness renewable energy as an Active Solar Thermal Facade (ASTF). The main purpose of this study is the assessment of a novel design concept based on a steel sandwich panel technology. The performance of the active system will be first addressed by a parametric study in order to analyze its behavior and secondly, by describing a real case based on an experimental test by connecting the active panels to a heat pump. The study shows the impact of solar irradiation and mass flow on the thermal jump achieved, while ambient and fluid inlet temperatures are the most influencing parameters in the efficiency of the facade. When coupled to the heat pump, results from a measurement campaign demonstrate a remarkable improvement in the performance of the ASTF. The results presented provide significant proof about the benefits of a synergetic combination of both technologies—solar facades and heat pumps—as efficient alternatives for the building sector, aiming to improve energy efficiency as well as reduce their dependence on non-renewable sources.

Keywords: active solar thermal facade; sandwich panels; thermal efficiency; unglazed collector; solar assisted heat pumps (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 (1)

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