Multi-Country Analysis on Energy Savings in Buildings by Means of a Micro-Solar Organic Rankine Cycle System: A Simulation Study

Abstract

In this paper, the smart management of buildings energy use by means of an innovative renewable micro-cogeneration system is investigated. The system consists of a concentrated linear Fresnel reflectors solar field coupled with a phase change material thermal energy storage tank and a 2 kWe/18 kWth organic Rankine cycle (ORC) system. The microsolar ORC was designed to supply both electricity and thermal energy demand to residential dwellings to reduce their primary energy use. In this analysis, the achievable energy and operational cost savings through the proposed plant with respect to traditional technologies (i.e., condensing boilers and electricity grid) were assessed by means of simulations. The influence of the climate and latitude of the installation was taken into account to assess the performance and the potential of such system across Europe and specifically in Spain, Italy, France, Germany, U.K., and Sweden. Results show that the proposed plant can satisfy about 80% of the overall energy demand of a 100 m2 dwelling in southern Europe, while the energy demand coverage drops to 34% in the worst scenario in northern Europe. The corresponding operational cost savings amount to 87% for a dwelling in the south and at 33% for one in the north.

Comparison Of The Electricity Generation Potentials Of Solar ORC Designed With Different Fluids Depending On Instantaneous Solar Radiation In Four Districts Of Türkiye

“…It was concluded that the turbine expansion ratio increased the ejector cooling system efficiency at a high rate. Arteconi et al [8] used a linear Fresnel collector (LFR) in a micro-scale and solar-powered ORC power plant. In their study, the surface area of the collector, which gives a heat output of 80 kW at a nominal radiation value of 900 W/m 2 , was determined as 146 m 2 .…”

Fuzzy Logic Energy Management Strategy of a Multiple Latent Heat Thermal Storage in a Small-Scale Concentrated Solar Power Plant

“…At residential level, micro-cogeneration has a very interesting potential [10], and thermal power output from ORC systems can be usefully recovered for domestic hot water or space heating purposes [11]. Given that energy production from solar technologies and user demand are not always simultaneous, thermal energy storage (TES) systems are required to decouple them and usefully extend the operation of solar plants.…”