TY - JOUR
TI - A dynamic model of an innovative high-temperature solar heating and cooling system
AU - Buonomano Annamaria
AU - Calise Francesco
AU - Vicidomini Maria
JN - Thermal Science
PY - 2016
VL - 20
IS - 4
SP - 1121
EP - 1133
PT - Article
AB - In this paper a new simulation model of a novel solar heating and cooling  system based on innovative high temperature flat plate evacuated solar  thermal collector is presented. The system configuration includes: flat-plate  evacuated solar collectors, a double-stage LiBr-H2O absorption chiller,  gas-fired auxiliary heater, a closed loop cooling tower, pumps, heat  exchangers, storage tanks, valves, mixers and controllers. The novelty of  this study lies in the utilization of flat-plate stationary solar collectors,  manufactured by TVP Solar, rather than concentrating ones (typically adopted  for driving double-stage absorption chillers). Such devices show ultra-high  thermal efficiencies, even at very high (about 200°C) operating temperatures,  thanks to the high vacuum insulation. Aim of the paper is to analyse the  energy and economic feasibility of such novel technology, by including it in  a prototypal solar heating and cooling system. For this purpose, the solar  heating and cooling system design and performance were analysed by means of a  purposely developed dynamic simulation model, implemented in TRNSYS. A  suitable case study is also presented. Here, the simulated plant is conceived  for the space heating and cooling and the domestic hot water production of a  small building, whose energy needs are fulfilled through a real installation  (settled also for experimental purposes) built up close to Naples (South  Italy). Simulation results show that the investigated system is able to reach  high thermal efficiencies and very good energy performance. Finally, the  economic analysis shows results comparable to those achieved through similar  renewable energy systems.