Revision as of 12:42, 11 November 2013

1 Overview
2 Applications
3 State of the Art world wide Solar Air Conditioning ^[1]^[2]
- 3.1 Mayor Challenges
- 3.2 Solar Thermal vs. Photovoltaic (PV)?
4 Country Experiences
- 4.1 Solar Cooling in India
  - 4.1.1 Experiences
5 Recommendations for Pushing the Market Development for Solar Cooling i.a. ^[10]^[11]
6 Further Information
7 References

Overview

Why solar cooling? In many countries, especially in developing countries in the South, with increasing economic development and population growth, demand for cooling is increasing rapidly (e.g. ric Arab Countries - 75% of installed poer is used for sooling). Often, this additional electricity load puts further stress on the mostly already shaky grids in these countries, leading to further power cuts.

Also, in many areas cooling for agricultural products, vaccines, etc. is an essential need which cannot be served. In this case, solar is also on option.

The main arguments for solar assisted cooling (SAC) originate from an energy saving perspective:

Application of SAC saves electricity and thus conventional primary energy sources
SAC also leads to a reduction of peak electricity demand this can benefit the electricity network and lead to additional cost savings of the most expensive peak electricity (if applied on a broad scale)
environmentally sound materials without ozone depletion and no (or very small) global warming potential are used with SAC
Coincide of solar energy supply and demand in many cases - when it is the hottest and most cooling is demanded, usually the most sun is shining as well.

Applications

Solar assistes cooling can be broadly split up in two main applications, depending on the targeted temperature range:

air conditioning – temperature range of 5-20°C
refrigeration – temperature range of -20°C to +5°C

State of the Art world wide Solar Air Conditioning ^[1]^[2]

Despite intensive research over the past decade,SAC has still reached only a very small market penetration. Yet, a well established SAC research society and scientific field are working on further market development.^[3]

Close to 1.000 SAC systems installed worldwide
Huge variety in sizes and technologies
Upcoming larger >400kW and very large > 1MW projects
More and more chiller products in smaller range <25kW
With around 60% vapor absorption systems (VAM) dominate the market
Improving system performance
Early market development
Small but increasing number of projects by private investors
Most systems in USA, Germany, Southern Europe and MENA
Few companies offering complete SAC solutions
Custom made systems -> acking experience and expertise, very expensive
Cost reduction expected with increasing standardization, economies of scale and upcoming specialized incentive schemes (e.g. France)
Could take off in the coming years with increasing energy prices and further experiences in hotter climates (higher irradiation, higher cooling loads)

Mayor Challenges

A range of challenges exist why solar cooling has not taken off so far. In many cases, it is a combination of different issues.

Technology

Still, most of the issues are related to the technology. One of the main problems beeing that there is not one single solution and experiences with new applications are collected constantly

Small capacity VAM units under development, expensive
Few suppliers for adsorption and desiccant systems
No packaged solutions for residential and small commercial users available
Lacking standardization of applications, mostly still tailor-made
No great variety of medium temperature collectors
Thermal efficiencies often still low
Heat rejection systems: often wet cooling tower needed
Lacking professional skills – high skilled labour needed, also for maintenance
Still electricity for control systems, pumps etc needed – can be significant
Over-dimensioning should be avoided – otherwise low efficiency
Heat rejection systems need a lot of electricity and maintenance
Auxiliary components not energy efficient
Maximizing usage (hot water, heating and cooling) important
System integration and energy management inadequate – combination of subsystems and skills
Experience in design, control and system operation lacking

Cost

High capital investment costs (2-5 times) compared to conventional systems
Price range: EUR 2.000-5.000/kW_cold
Payback periods of <10 years under promising conditions possible (< 7 years have already been reached by some systems)
Often high maintenance costs - depending on technology
Unfavorable finance environment
Financial incentive scheme not explicitly designed to fulfill special SAC needs, often same as solar thermal for heating, if any

Policy

Cooling mostly not yet part of policy target and strategies
Regulatory measures needed

Awareness

Lacking knowledge and practical experience of architects, planners and builders
Lacking (large-scale) experiences and showcases for replication

Solar Thermal vs. Photovoltaic (PV)?

New discussion due to decreasing PV prices. Could it be more economical to run vapour compression chiller with a PV module than operating solar thermally powered chillers?

The discussion is still going on, there is no clear answer yet available to this question as the answer depends o a range of different thinkable boundary:

First examples of competitive installations – e.g. Cyprus (very high electricity price)
Maybe suitable alternative in some cases
Depending on boundary conditions and objective of cooling – very site specific
Availability and reliability of grid as storage - if needed
Storage/ back-up issue
alternative energy costs (esp. electricity)
Subsidies and incentives available for conventional power/systems/energy switch, etc.
Different effect on grids - what do I want to achieve with solar cooling?
Demand for other energy services – demand for hot water and heating
Still discussion and research going on in solar cooling community
Solar thermal and chiller costs expected to decrease with market growth
Upcoming support schemes for solar thermal cooling
lower efficiency of PV modules in hot climates but lower maintenance (e.g.)
Energetically PV less ideal than thermal

Country Experiences

Solar Cooling in India

In India, boundary conditions for solar cooling are very favourable: there is more irradiation and at the same time more cooling degree days than in areas where most systems so far have been installed (e.g. USA, MENA, South Europa) - but partly in some regions the climate is also more humid which asks for adapted systems^[4]

Ideal boundary conditions (high solar radioation, long cooling season). The only drawback are not prohibitive high energy price, yet this is neutralized trough extensive electricity shortages. Many institutions, companies etc. have their own back up systems for electrcity supply, often also for cooling.

Indian customers are looking for reliable cooling options - this is a chance for solar applications.

Moreover, the cooling demand is growing further which is endangering grid stability even more^[5]

The total installed cooling load is 35.000MWe (28.7% of installed capacity)^[6]

Residential sector – great future challenge

Penetration level for A/C < 1% only and switch from air evaporation systems expected ^[7]
Lacking affordabel, small scale renewable technologies
Highest load in non-sunshine hours -> no coincide of supply and demand, challenge of storage

Industrial and commercial sector – short and medium term market

Larger central systems in place already – solar technologies available for these sizes
often coincide of loads and solar gains

Solar Cold Storage

India is looking for cold storages for a range of applications: fishing, agricultural produce, milk and dairy products etc. as vast part of rural areas still lack access to grid electricity. Currently TERI is working on a combined solution, a http://www.inive.org/members_area/medias/pdf/inive/clima2000/1997/p301.pdf biomas-solar-hybrid-electricity grid with cold storage, yet this project is still at a pilot phase.

Experiences

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energe (MNRE) proposed an Action Plan on Solar Coolingin 2009, together with the establishment of a working group on solar cooling. However, the plan has not been followed. There are no updates and the working group is not active anymore.

Because of electricity shortages, comapnies with exhaust heat and own generator have started using VAM systems which are available locally. the VAMs run on gas, wood or exhaust heat. Hence, an established VAM market (around 5 Mio USD) is in place which is one of the main drivers with regards to SAC in India.

So far, a hand full of projects has been realised (around 10), mostly R&D and some private (non commercial/green) initiatives are in place, using concentrated solar collectors + VAM

Solar Energy Center, TERI, IITs,…
Thermax (3-effect VAM with COP of 1.7-1.8)^[8], Baskara Solar, Gadhia Solar^[9],..
Mamata - only project with evacuated tube collectors, since 2006, little maintenance needed.
still early pilot phase
So far no coherent strategic approach, lacking knowledge sharing
R&D for solid and liquid dessicant systems

Economics

Investment costs 3x higher than conventional systems
High capital investment and long payback periods (> 7 years) highest drawback
investors very hesitant regarding investments with payback >3years
Most feasible for larger systems >100 kW
Awareness raising needed
Costs for chillers and solar components are decreasing
Energy demand for control system and backup not to be underestaimated

Reliability of system and back-up storage

as the main selling argument for SAC in India is the increased reliability an independence from the grid, a reliable system is key
Improving quality of chillers and solar components, but still an issue
Increasing reliability – storage/back-up necessary
Solar as add on, not total replacement, otherwise very expensive
Variation in irradiation and diffiulty of prediction - dynamic system needed
Standardization of storage (cold and heat) necessary

System Design

System design, integration and optimization prove difficult
maintenance is a great issue
Smaller VAMs under development, expensive
Space availability for solar collectors and cooling towers is a challenge
High humidity and water scarcity – find suitable technologies

Collectors

Concentrating collectors (for higher temperature applications) face difficulties at the moment because of high fraction of diffuce radiation (dust, cloud coverage) in some regions
Used as locally produced but also more expensive than flat plate/evacuated tube
Achieve higher temperature lift, remove the need for wet cooling towers
Maintenance issue
Expensive, performance and tracking issues
in some regions, non-concentrating collectors might be more suitable, also architectural integration possible, but lower temperatures, hence lower COPs
Evacuated heat pipes not produced in India
Efficiency of solar equipment needs to be improved

Recommendations for Pushing the Market Development for Solar Cooling i.a. ^[10]^[11]

Training and awareness raising

Work with associated associations (solar thermal, chiller manufacturers, society of engineers, architects, etc.) with regards to cooling
establish a Technical working group on solar cooling with regular meetings
Training programs for installers, planners of SAC systems
Provide design tools for them on different levels
Including SAC in engineering curricular
Capacity development of architects in order to decrease necessary cooling loads and include solar cooling in their projects as a suitable solution
broad awareness raising campaigns, lobbying

R&D

Support visible and meaningful demonstration projects (with proven energy performance) to achieve standardization and guidelines, incl. showcases: collecting experiences, showing best practices as basis for awareness campaigns, potentials and limits
Start keeping statistics on energy demand for cooling (split up industries)
The market for room air conditioners is growing very rapidly in India. Hence, small SAC units which can mitigate the environmental impact of this trend are especially needed for the Indian market. Develop R&D with focus on small applications.
Usability of residential solar water heaters for solar cooling (only 1-2 rooms needed)

Policy measures

Roadmap for (solar/RE) cooling and
inclusion of cooling into RE/solar targets at national/state level

Incentives Schemes

Higher incentive in the early market status, reduced incentives when the market has started to take off: investment funds, tax reductions or credit programs with reduced interest rates. Based on standards of achieved energy/ CO₂ savings
Review solar thermal subsidy scheme (often in place) with regards to cooling, adoptions might be necessary to make application viable – maybe special subsidy when connected to heating and hot water, if applicable
Come up with easy financing mechanisms for solar /renewable cooling
Phase out subsidies on conventional energies to decrease market distortion

Regulatory measures

Inclusion of RE-cooling/SAC in building regulations (new buildings and refurbishment) – obligatory rating scheme for buildings
Prohibition / discouragement of refrigerant with high global warming potential (GWP)

Further Information

References

↑ Henning, H. (2010) :Solar Air-conditioning and refrigeration. Achievements and challenges. Fraunhofer ISE. Presented at EuroSun 2010. Graz.
↑ https://www.iea-shc.org/publications/downloads/IEA-SHC-Solar-Cooling-Position-Paper.pdf
↑ https://www.iea-shc.org/publications/downloads/IEA-SHC-Solar-Cooling-Position-Paper.pdf
↑ Sivak, M. (2009): Potential demand for cooling in the 50 largest metropolitan areas of the world. Implications for developing countries. Energy Policy 37 (2009) 1382-1384
↑ Singh, S.K. (2011): Solar Refrigeration and Air-conditioning. Solar Energy Center. MNRE. Ppt.
↑ Sivak, M. (2009): Potential demand for cooling in the 50 largest metropolitan areas of the world. Implications for developing countries. Energy Policy 37 (2009) 1382-1384
↑ DSCL Energy Services Company Ltd. (2010): Trigeneration in India Market Assessment Study .Trigeneration Technology within the Indian Building Sector . Berliner Energieagentur GmbH (editor). Commissioned by GTZ.
↑ http://www.commodityonline.com/news/india-tech-breakthrough-in-solar-thermal-cooling-system-40460-3-1.html
↑ http://www.solarthermalworld.org/node/1028
↑ http://www.estif.org/fileadmin/estif/content/policies/downloads/D23-solar-assisted-cooling.pdf
↑ https://www.iea-shc.org/publications/downloads/IEA-SHC-Solar-Cooling-Position-Paper.pdf

[0] Henning, H. (2010) :Solar Air-conditioning and refrigeration. Achievements and challenges. Fraunhofer ISE. Presented at EuroSun 2010. Graz.

[1] ttps://www.iea-shc.org/publications/downloads/IEA-SHC-Solar-Cooling-Position-Paper.pdf

[2] ttps://www.iea-shc.org/publications/downloads/IEA-SHC-Solar-Cooling-Position-Paper.pdf

[3] Sivak, M. (2009): Potential demand for cooling in the 50 largest metropolitan areas of the world. Implications for developing countries. Energy Policy 37 (2009) 1382-1384

[4] Singh, S.K. (2011): Solar Refrigeration and Air-conditioning. Solar Energy Center. MNRE. Ppt.

[5] Sivak, M. (2009): Potential demand for cooling in the 50 largest metropolitan areas of the world. Implications for developing countries. Energy Policy 37 (2009) 1382-1384

[6] DSCL Energy Services Company Ltd. (2010): Trigeneration in India Market Assessment Study .Trigeneration Technology within the Indian Building Sector . Berliner Energieagentur GmbH (editor). Commissioned by GTZ.

[7] ttp://www.commodityonline.com/news/india-tech-breakthrough-in-solar-thermal-cooling-system-40460-3-1.html

[8] ttp://www.solarthermalworld.org/node/1028

[9] ttp://www.estif.org/fileadmin/estif/content/policies/downloads/D23-solar-assisted-cooling.pdf

[10] ttps://www.iea-shc.org/publications/downloads/IEA-SHC-Solar-Cooling-Position-Paper.pdf

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 *Coincide of solar energy supply and demand in many cases - when it is the hottest and most cooling is demanded, usually the most sun is shining as well.
+<br/>
 = Applications<br/> =
@@ Line 20: / Line 20: @@
 *refrigeration – temperature range of -20°C to +5°C
+<br/>
 = State of the Art world wide Solar Air Conditioning <ref>Henning, H. (2010) :Solar Air-conditioning and refrigeration. Achievements and challenges. Fraunhofer ISE. Presented at EuroSun 2010. Graz.</ref><ref> https://www.iea-shc.org/publications/downloads/IEA-SHC-Solar-Cooling-Position-Paper.pdf </ref><br/> =
@@ Line 39: / Line 39: @@
 *Could take off in the coming years with increasing energy prices and further experiences in hotter climates (higher irradiation, higher cooling loads)
+<br/>
 == Mayor Challenges<br/> ==
@@ Line 45: / Line 45: @@
 A range of challenges exist why solar cooling has not taken off so far. In many cases, it is a combination of different issues.
+<br/>
 === Technology<br/> ===
@@ Line 66: / Line 66: @@
 *Experience in design, control and system operation lacking
+<br/>
 === Cost<br/> ===
@@ Line 77: / Line 77: @@
 *Financial incentive scheme not explicitly designed to fulfill special SAC needs, often same as solar thermal for heating, if any
+<br/>
 === Policy<br/> ===
@@ Line 84: / Line 84: @@
 *Regulatory measures needed
+<br/>
 === Awareness<br/> ===
@@ Line 91: / Line 91: @@
 *Lacking (large-scale) experiences and showcases for replication
+<br/>
 == Solar Thermal vs. Photovoltaic (PV)?<br/> ==
-New discussion due to decreasing PV prices. Could it be more economical to run vapour compression chiller with a PV module than operating solar thermally powered chillers?<u></u>
+New discussion due to decreasing PV prices. Could it be more economical to run vapour compression chiller with a PV module than operating solar thermally powered chillers?
 <u>The discussion is still going on, there is no clear answer yet available to this question as the answer depends o a range of different thinkable boundary:</u>
@@ Line 113: / Line 113: @@
 *Energetically PV less ideal than thermal
+<br/>
 = Country Experiences<br/> =
@@ Line 127: / Line 127: @@
 Moreover, the cooling demand is growing further which is endangering grid stability even more<ref>Singh, S.K. (2011): Solar Refrigeration and Air-conditioning. Solar Energy Center. MNRE. Ppt.</ref>
-The total installed cooling load is 35.000MWe (28.7% of installed capacity)'''<ref>Sivak, M. (2009): Potential demand for cooling in the 50 largest metropolitan areas of the world. Implications for developing countries. Energy Policy 37 (2009) 1382-1384</ref> '''
+The total installed cooling load is 35.000MWe (28.7% of installed capacity)'''<ref>Sivak, M. (2009): Potential demand for cooling in the 50 largest metropolitan areas of the world. Implications for developing countries. Energy Policy 37 (2009) 1382-1384</ref>'''
-'''Residential sector – great future challenge'''
+<br/>'''Residential sector – great future challenge'''
 *Penetration level for A/C < 1% only and switch from air evaporation systems expected <ref>DSCL Energy Services Company Ltd. (2010): Trigeneration in India Market Assessment Study .Trigeneration Technology within the Indian Building Sector . Berliner Energieagentur GmbH (editor). Commissioned by GTZ.</ref>
 *Lacking affordabel, small scale renewable technologies
@@ Line 144: / Line 143: @@
 *India is looking for cold storages for a range of applications: fishing, agricultural produce, milk and dairy products etc. as vast part of rural areas still lack access to grid electricity. Currently TERI is working on a combined solution, a [http://www.teriin.org/index.php?option=com_ongoing&task=about_project&sid=114, http://www.inive.org/members_area/medias/pdf/inive/clima2000/1997/p301.pdf biomas-solar-hybrid-electricity grid with cold storage], yet this project is still at a pilot phase.
+<br/>
 === Experiences<br/> ===
@@ Line 162: / Line 161: @@
 *R&D for solid and liquid dessicant systems
+<br/>
 '''Economics'''
@@ Line 173: / Line 172: @@
 *Energy demand for control system and backup not to be underestaimated
+<br/>
 '''Reliability of system and back-up storage'''
@@ Line 183: / Line 182: @@
 *Standardization of storage (cold and heat) necessary
+<br/>
 '''System Design'''
@@ Line 192: / Line 191: @@
 *High humidity and water scarcity – find suitable technologies
+<br/>
 '''Collectors'''
@@ Line 204: / Line 203: @@
 *Efficiency of solar equipment needs to be improved
+<br/>
 = Recommendations for Pushing the Market Development for Solar Cooling i.a. <ref>http://www.estif.org/fileadmin/estif/content/policies/downloads/D23-solar-assisted-cooling.pdf </ref><ref>https://www.iea-shc.org/publications/downloads/IEA-SHC-Solar-Cooling-Position-Paper.pdf </ref><br/> =
@@ Line 217: / Line 216: @@
 *broad awareness raising campaigns, lobbying
+<br/>
 '''R&D'''
@@ Line 225: / Line 224: @@
 *Usability of residential solar water heaters for solar cooling (only 1-2 rooms needed)
+<br/>
 '''Policy measures'''
@@ Line 231: / Line 230: @@
 *inclusion of cooling into RE/solar targets at national/state level
+<br/>
 '''Incentives Schemes'''
@@ Line 239: / Line 238: @@
 *Phase out subsidies on conventional energies to decrease market distortion
+<br/>
 '''Regulatory measures'''
@@ Line 245: / Line 244: @@
 *Prohibition / discouragement of refrigerant with high '''global warming potential (GWP)'''
+<br/>
 = Further Information<br/> =
@@ Line 252: / Line 251: @@
 *[http://www.tecsol.fr/ Feasibility checklist for solar cooling projects (European focus)]
+<br/>
 = References =
@@ Line 258: / Line 257: @@
 <references />
-[[Category:Solar]]
-[[Category:India]]
 [[Category:Cooling]]
+[[Category:Sustainability]]
+[[Category:India]]
+[[Category:Solar]]

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Solar Cooling

Revision as of 12:42, 11 November 2013

Contents

Overview

Applications

State of the Art world wide Solar Air Conditioning ^[1]^[2]

Mayor Challenges

Technology

Cost

Policy

Awareness

Solar Thermal vs. Photovoltaic (PV)?

Country Experiences

Solar Cooling in India

Experiences

Recommendations for Pushing the Market Development for Solar Cooling i.a. ^[10]^[11]

Further Information

References

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Community

About

Help

Contact

Search

Main Page

About energypedia

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Energy Use

Cross Cutting Issues

energypedia consult

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Actions

Solar Cooling

Revision as of 12:42, 11 November 2013

Contents

Overview

Applications

State of the Art world wide Solar Air Conditioning [1][2]

Mayor Challenges

Technology

Cost

Policy

Awareness

Solar Thermal vs. Photovoltaic (PV)?

Country Experiences

Solar Cooling in India

Experiences

Recommendations for Pushing the Market Development for Solar Cooling i.a. [10][11]

Further Information

References

State of the Art world wide Solar Air Conditioning ^[1]^[2]

Recommendations for Pushing the Market Development for Solar Cooling i.a. ^[10]^[11]