Solar Energy Efficient Heating and Cooling
The
SEC has long history of expertise in the application of solar thermal
energy for heating and cooling. A roof integrated solar heating system
(RISHS) has been developed and optimized to deliver solar heating for
dwellings. This system comes with a simple design in which steel roofing
is utilised as the solar energy collector. This is attained by covering
the steel roof with a layer of polycarbonate plastic glazing enabling
the air ‘trapped’ between the roof and the glazing to be heated.
Equipped with a thermal storage unit consisting of phase change
materials mounted in the roof space, the system can deliver up to 70% of
the total energy required for heating a house with a 4 stars during
heating period.
Solar cooling
The
energy demand for air conditioning of both commercial and residential
buildings has been escalating throughout the last decades. Reverse cycle air
conditioning systems which provide both cooling and heating at low initial
costs are currently dominating the air conditioning markets, particularly in
new housing. This, however, has resulted in dramatic increases in energy use
and summer peak power demand with associated electricity generation and
distribution requirements.
Thermally driven cooling systems utilising solar energy is an alternative to
vapour compression machines to reduce both the total energy use and the peak
power demand as well as greenhouse gas emissions. Seasonal match between
solar radiation availability and the building cooling load makes these
systems more attractive. Solar liquid desiccant air conditioning which
provides both cooling and dehumidification has been found to be technically
viable. SEC is currently developing prototypes of liquid desiccant
conditioner and regenerator which is expected to increase the efficiency of
the system.
Integrated Thermal System
A system which integrates the provision of heating, domestic hot water,
cooling and dehumidification for dwellings is a logical approach to maximise
the system’s overall effectiveness and at the same time minimise the
system’s cost. This is currently being conceptualised and investigated by
the SEC team.
Further projects incorporated under this area include:
- Solar air space heating system
- Building integrated solar heating and hot water systems (Postgraduate Project)
- Use of liquid desiccant for dehumidification and cooling
- Integrated solar system for hot water, heating and cooling
- Hot water testing modeling and development
- Air conditioning testing (heating and cooling)
- Sustainable 1000
- Lochiel Park