Energy Performance Evaluation of a Solar PVT Thermal Energy Storage System Based on Small Size Borefield

Evangelos I. Sakellariou, Petros J. Axaopoulos (), Bill Vaneck Bot and Ioannis E. Sarris
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Evangelos I. Sakellariou: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Campus Ancient Olive Grove, University of West Attica, 250, Thivon & P. Ralli Str., 12241 Athens, Greece
Petros J. Axaopoulos: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Campus Ancient Olive Grove, University of West Attica, 250, Thivon & P. Ralli Str., 12241 Athens, Greece
Bill Vaneck Bot: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Campus Ancient Olive Grove, University of West Attica, 250, Thivon & P. Ralli Str., 12241 Athens, Greece
Ioannis E. Sarris: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Campus Ancient Olive Grove, University of West Attica, 250, Thivon & P. Ralli Str., 12241 Athens, Greece

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 21, 1-19

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: PVT; GHE; SAGSHP; GSHP; PVT-SAGSHP; EEB (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: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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