Avaliação de um sistema de condicionamento solar para um complexo de ensino universitário

Abstract

There is growing interest in the use of solar energy, which, in the case of concentrated solar thermal energy, may involve alternative uses, such as solar cooling / conditioning. Using computational tools to analyze thermal comfort and simulate energy systems, this study evaluates a solar conditioning system in a university complex consisting of three buildings in the city of Macaé-RJ. Therefore, it analyzes a solar concentration system integrated with absorption refrigeration, using solar cylinder-parabolic technology. This analysis is designed for different absorption configurations and different parameters for the production and storage of solar thermal energy. Thus, the necessary fraction of auxiliary energy required by the system is verified. The results indicate that the double effect absorption system configuration is the best configuration adopted for the analysed place, with an auxiliary energy demand of approximately 20% of the annual useful demand. Triple-effect systems would require less heat in the generator, but higher quality heat, which is not obtained during a relevant part of the year, from the solar concentration system proposed in Macaé. In fact, the quality of heat is closely related to local direct radiation. The methodology applied in this work could be adopted in different locations, with an emphasis on the possibility of testing smaller scale systems in university buildings, where there would also be learning gains.