Energy, economic, and environmental assessment of the integration of phase change materials and hybrid concentrated photovoltaic thermal collectors for reduced energy consumption of a school sports center

Abstract

In this study, dynamic simulations of an existing school sports building located in a hot semi-arid steppe climate (BSh) were carried out to evaluate the energy, economic, and environmental performance of an inorganic phase change material (PCM) and a low-concentration photovoltaic thermal (LCPV/T) hybrid collector. For this purpose, transient thermal simulations incorporating software elements were used to model the passive and active technologies. Different scenarios applied in the building -the integration of PCM into the roof (C1), the use of the LCPV/T collector system (C2), and the simultaneous use of these technologies (C3)- were established, and their energy savings, economic feasibility, and environmental impact were obtained. The combination of the PCM with melting point of 23 °C and hybrid collectors reduced the annual building electricity up to 5.8%. C1 is the best option if the cost of the PCM23 decreases to 13% of the original price, with a SPB and IRR of 3.7 years and 27%, respectively. C3 is economically feasible if the collector price is also reduced to 80%, achieving a SPB and IRR of 12.1 years and 6.6%. Finally, the greenhouse gases prevented emissions of up to 162, 138, and 24 tonCO2e/year are for C3, C2, and C1, respectively.