Feasibility study with EnergyPlus simulation for solar chemical heat pump unit introduced into building as next-generation energy supply system

Abstract

From the viewpoint of rising energy demand and energy costs in buildings, there is an urgent need to develop next generation building energy supply systems characterized by improved resource efficiency and environmental friendliness. The solar chemical heat pump (SCHP) unit can provide heating and cooling in buildings with high efficiency and sustainability, positioning it as a potential candidate. A feasibility study is conducted to introduce the SCHP units into a building in Chiba, Japan, to evaluate the operating characteristics and energy-saving potentials. The building and its HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system featuring the SCHP unit are introduced into the building energy simulation through EnergyPlus software for the first-step examination. 3E (energy, environment, economy) analysis of the distinctions among conventional, chemical heat pump (CHP), and SCHP systems is conducted to enhance the efficiency of building energy supply systems. Furthermore, the effects of different climate zones and heat and electricity storage equipment on operation characteristics are studied. The study reveals that the SCHP system demonstrates a 75% lower energy consumption, 72% decreased CO2 emissions, and 73% reduced running costs than the conventional system in Chiba City. Moreover, it is shown that integrating the heat storage tank and the electricity storage battery into the SCHP system can reduce reliance on external energy, significantly enhancing the system efficiency.