Design of a solar district heating system with seasonal storage in Italy

Salvestroni, Michele; Pierucci, Giacomo; Pourreza, Atabak; Fagioli, Federico; Taddei, Francesco; Messeri, Matteo; Lucia, Maurizio De

doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.117438

Cited by 27 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…Micro-ORCs powered by solar energy represent one of the most effective tools for distributed generation and PED (Positive Energy District). Over the years, many advances have been made, both in the field of solar collectors [12][13][14] and in thermal storage for residential applications [15]. All of this makes micro-ORC systems even more attractive.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Characterization of Commercial Scroll Expander for Micro-Scale Solar ORC Application: Part 1

De Lucia,

Pierucci,

Manieri

et al. 2024

Energies

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In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve global decarbonisation, it is essential to find sustainable and renewable alternatives for electricity production. In this context, the development of distributed generation systems, with the use of thermodynamic and photovoltaic solar energy, wind energy and smart grids, is fundamental. ORC power plants are the most appropriate systems for low-grade thermal energy recovery and power conversion, combining solar energy with electricity production. The application of a micro-scale ORC plant, coupled with Parabolic Trough Collectors as a thermal source, can satisfy domestic user demand in terms of electrical and thermal power. In order to develop a micro-scale ORC plant, a commercial hermetic scroll compressor was tested as an expander with HFC-245fa working fluid. The tests required the construction of an experimental bench with monitoring and control sensors. The aim of this study is the description of the scroll performances to evaluate the application and develop optimization strategies. The maximum isentropic effectiveness is reached for an expansion ratio close to the volumetric expansion ratio of the scroll, and machine isentropic effectiveness presents small variations in a wide range of working conditions. The filling factor is always higher than one, due to leakage in the mechanical seals of the scroll or other inefficiencies. This study demonstrates that using a commercial scroll compressor as an expander within an ORC system represents a valid option for such applications, but it is necessary to improve the mechanical seals of the machine and utilize a dedicated control strategy to obtain the maximum isentropic effectiveness.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Characterization of Commercial Scroll Expander for Micro-Scale Solar ORC Application: Part 1

De Lucia,

Pierucci,

Manieri

et al. 2024

Energies

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“…Seasonal thermal energy storages (STESs) are possibly used to balance the mismatch between renewable energy supply and thermal demand [14]. Salvestroni et al designed a solar district heating system for a community in Italy and the solar fraction reached up to 44% with an optimized configuration of STESs [15]. In review, Mahon et al [16] classified STESs into open loop systems (e.g., pit thermal energy storage (PTES) and tank thermal energy storage (TTES)) and closed-loop systems (e.g., borehole thermal energy storage (BTES)).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

System modelling and optimization of a low temperature local hybrid energy system based on solar energy for a residential district

Yuan

Heikari

Hirvonen

et al. 2022

Energy Conversion and Management

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“…Therefore, simulation-driven planning emerges as a key solution to quantify the influence of several boundary conditions on TTES and PTES planning. Thus, calibrated numerical TES models are of great importance as they are the viable means for such investigations [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Techno-Economic Planning and Exergy Analysis of Large-Scale Hot-Water Tank and Pits

Dahash¹,

Ochs²,

Tosatto³

2022

Atlantis Highlights in Engineering

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Large-scale seasonal thermal energy storage (STES) substantially facilitates a full exploitation of the local renewable energy sources (e.g. geothermal, solar, waste heat) potential in renewables-based district heating systems in order to mitigate CO2 emissions and the climate change. Large-scale seasonal TES systems store energy for lengthy timescales; therefore, it is essential to properly plan these structures in order to avoid high capital cost and/or performance below expectations. The STES planning phase includes a wide list of variables such as hydrogeological conditions (e.g. soil type, groundwater existence and/or flowing), TES geometry (e.g. tanks, conical pits, pyramid stump pits), TES construction (e.g. freestanding, partially or fully buried), system characteristics (e.g. operation temperatures), liners and insulation and others. Therefore, it is crucial to strive for an optimal TES selection in which a compromise between the technical performance and the economic investment is made. This work examines the planning of large-scale TES systems by means of numerical simulations. The models used are calibrated using measured data from the pit thermal energy storage in Dronninglund (Denmark). For the techno-economic assessment, different key performance indicators are used such as: energetic efficiency, exergetic efficiency, stratification efficiency and levelized cost of stored heat (LCOS). In this context, the investigation depicts that a hybrid TES arises as a promising option that combines the advantages of both tank and shallow pit. Accordingly, hybrid LCOS deems to be the lowest among other geometries. Further, the examination reveals that a tank has better technical performance and lower LCOS than a shallow pit under the same set of boundary conditions. Considering the transition to low-temperature district heating (DH) systems, the work further investigates the influence of DH temperature on TES techno-economic performance. Not only does the lowtemperature DH lead to an increase in TES performance but it also results in lower LCOS compared to its counterpart in a DH with high-temperature.

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Design of a solar district heating system with seasonal storage in Italy

Cited by 27 publications

References 32 publications

Experimental Characterization of Commercial Scroll Expander for Micro-Scale Solar ORC Application: Part 1

Experimental Characterization of Commercial Scroll Expander for Micro-Scale Solar ORC Application: Part 1

System modelling and optimization of a low temperature local hybrid energy system based on solar energy for a residential district

Techno-Economic Planning and Exergy Analysis of Large-Scale Hot-Water Tank and Pits

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