Performance Assessment of Solar Cooling Systems with Energy Storage

Abstract

The paper presents a complete solar cooling comparison. A detailed model of a tertiary sector building has been evaluated in three locations (Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, and Palermo) and coupled with four solar cooling systems: two solar thermal cooling systems (Li-Br absorption chiller and adsorption chiller), a solar Desiccant Evaporative Cooling system and a solar electric cooling (Photovoltaic coupled with Compression chiller). A multi-variable optimization procedure selects the optimal size of each component. The results show that the solar cooling system based on absorption chiller satisfied the cooling demand regardless of the site location whilst the performance of the Desiccant Evaporative Cooling system is dramatically affected by ambient conditions. The electric solar cooling option shows the best overall efficiency and appears a cost-effective solution despite the high cost of the storage system.