Performance Analysis of Integrated Photovoltaic-Thermal and Air Source Heat Pump System through Energy Simulation

Abstract

The concept of zero energy buildings (ZEBs) has recently been actively introduced in the building sector, globally, to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. For the implementation of ZEBs, renewable energy systems, such as solar collectors, photovoltaic (PV) systems, and ground source heat pump (GSHP) systems, have been used. The system performance of solar collectors and PV systems are dependent on the weather conditions. A GSHP system requires a large area for boring machines and mud pump machines. Therefore, inhabitants of an existing small-scale buildings hesitate to introduce GSHP systems due to the difficulties in installation and limited construction area. This study proposes an integrate photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) and air source heat pump (ASHP) system for realizing ZEB in an existing small-scale building. In order to evaluate the applicability of the integrated PVT-ASHP system, a dynamic simulation model that combines the PVT-ASHP system model and the building load model based on actual building conditions was constructed. The heating and cooling performances of the system for one year were analyzed using the dynamic simulation model. As the simulation analysis results, the average coefficient of performance (COP) for heating season was 5.3, and the average COP for cooling season was 16.3., respectively. From April to June, the electrical produced by the PVT module was higher than the power consumption of the system and could realize ZEB.

Long-Term Performance Analysis of Direct Photovoltaic Thermal-Assisted Heat Pump Water Heater Using Computational Model

“…Another researcher used an existing building to perform heating and cooling analysis for one year using the dynamic simulation model. As the simulation analysis results, the average coefficient of performance (COP) for the heating season was 5.3, and the average COP for the cooling season was 16.3, respectively [13]. Beyond the performance of the PVT-HP system enhanced, the system was also economically feasible and shortened the payback period compared to the standalone systems [14].…”

Achieving Energy Self-Sufficiency in a Dormitory Building: An Experimental Analysis of a PV–AWHP-ERV Integrated System

“…Kong et al [19] presented the appropriate number of PV/T modules through a performance analysis and an economic comparison of PV/T-cascade heat pumps for cooling and heating periods in tropical climates. Bae et al [20] found that a PV/T-ASHP system installed in a small building improved heating and cooling performance coefficients by 52% compared to an ASHP system used alone. They also demonstrated that the electricity generated by the PV/T modules during certain periods exceeded the system's power consumption, making it possible to achieve a fully zero-energy building [21].…”

Benchmarking and economic analysis of the impact of geometric structural design on the thermoelectric performance of air‐cooled photovoltaic thermal systems

“…Reference [18] used numerical simulation and experimental heat transfer characterization in square aluminium tubes to remove thermal heat from the system and boost the electrical efficiency of an air PV/T collector. A significant amount of current research has been conducted in the last 2 years that focuses on the ways of installing PV/T solar collectors in buildings, which essentially centres on the study of heat gain, power consumption, and PV/T module lifetime [19][20][21].…”