Energy Production in Solar Collectors in a University Building Used to Improve the Internal Thermal Conditions in Winter Conditions

Eusébio Conceição,Hazim Awbi,Mª Manuela Lúcio,João Gomes

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202124603005

Abstract

In this numerical study the energy production in solar collectors in a University building used to improve the internal thermal conditions is made. Passive and active solutions, using external solar collector and internal thermo-convectors, are used. The numerical simulation, in transient conditions, is done for a winter typical day with clean sky. This numerical study was carried out using a software that simulates the Building Dynamic Response with complex topology in transient conditions. The software evaluates the human thermal comfort and indoor air quality levels that the occupants are subjected, Heated Ventilation and Air Conditioned energy consumption, indoor thermal variables and other parameters. The university building has 107 compartments and is located in a Mediterranean-type environment. External solar water collectors, placed above the building’s roof, and internal thermo-convectors of water/air type, using mixing ventilation, are used as passive and active strategies, respectively. The thermal comfort level, using the Predicted Mean Vote index, and the indoor air quality, using the carbon dioxide concentration, are evaluated. The results show that in winter conditions the solar collectors improve the thermal comfort conditions of the occupants. The indoor air quality, in all ventilated spaces, is also guaranteed.

Highlights

In Portugal, there has been a significant increase in energy consumption in buildings, driven in part by the intensive use of Heated Ventilation and Air Conditioned (HVAC) system equipment and the dissipative behaviour of the building
The main objective of this work is from a passive solar solution, using solar thermal collectors, and from an active solution, control of the HVAC system, to guarantee acceptable thermal comfort levels within the occupied compartments, keeping the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) index at least within the category C, and acceptable levels of indoor air quality, keeping the CO2 concentration below 1800 mg/m3, for winter conditions
In addition to the environmental parameters, the PMV index considers the personal parameters given by the average level of clothing (1.0 clo in winter conditions) of the occupants and by their level of activity (1.2 met)

Summary

Introduction

In Portugal, there has been a significant increase in energy consumption in buildings, driven in part by the intensive use of Heated Ventilation and Air Conditioned (HVAC) system equipment and the dissipative behaviour of the building. In this context, the need to develop HVAC systems that enable thermal comfort levels to be maintained with sustainable low energy consumption becomes imperative. The HVAC system simulated uses solar panels that, through a system of ducts, which will provide the heating of the rooms interior by thermoconvectors

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion