Computational Simulation and Dimensioning of Solar-Combi Systems for Large-Size Sports Facilities: A Case Study for the Pancretan Stadium, Crete, Greece

Dimitris Al. Katsaprakakis

doi:10.3390/en13092285

Abstract

The article examines the introduction of solar-combi systems in large-size sports facilities. The examined solar-combi systems consist of solar collectors, a biomass heater and thermal storage tanks. In a sense, they constitute hybrid thermal power plants. The full mathematical background is presented on the operation of such systems, along with a proposed operation algorithm, aiming at the maximization of the captured solar radiation. A case study is implemented for the coverage of the thermal energy needs for hot water production and swimming pools heating, met in the Pancretan Stadium, Crete, Greece. In this way, the article aims to indicate the technical and economic prerequisites that can guarantee the feasibility of the examined systems, highlighting the significant potential contribution of such systems towards the realization of energy transition plans from fossil fuels to renewables. The economic feasibility of the introduced system is based on the avoiding diesel oil and electricity procurement cost, consumed for the coverage of the thermal energy demands under consideration. The optimum dimensioning of the examined case study results to an annual thermal energy demand coverage balance of 55% by the solar collectors and 45% by the biomass heater, giving a payback period of 5–6 years.

Highlights

The dimensioning of the proposed system is optimized versus the payback period, calculated for the total set-up cost of the proposed system and on the basis of the avoided operation cost, achieved through the elimination of the diesel oil and the electricity consumption for hot water production and swimming pools heating in the stadium
It must be clarified that all the tasks required for the operation and the maintenance of the solar-combi systems will be undertaken by the existing technical staff in the Pancretan Stadium
The article aims to prove and justify the high technical and economic feasibility of the replacement of conventional thermal energy production technologies based on the consumption of diesel oil and electricity with solar-combi systems, especially for regions with high solar radiation and for large thermal energy consumptions—conditions which are often met in sports facilities

Summary

Introduction

Thermal Energy Production from Renewables—The Case of Sports Facilities. Heating needs are met in several different human activities, such as in the residential and commercial buildings, in sports facilities, in industrial processes, in agricultural applications etc. Oil and coal still dominate the thermal energy production for all these uses, considerable research is executed on the introduction of alternative systems, aiming at the transition to Renewable. These alternative systems are most commonly based on alternative solar collector types, combined heat and power units, geothermal heat exchangers and, recently, on the photovoltaic thermal hybrid solar collectors. Uncovered solar collectors are mainly employed for swimming pools heating in summer [1,2,3] and, in general, when relatively low final temperatures are required (below 30 ◦ C)

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