Thermo-economic analysis of a low-cost greenhouse thermal solar plant with seasonal energy storage
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is today mandatory to limit the increase of ambient temperature. This paper provides a numerical study of a thermal solar plant using a seasonal dual-media sensible heat thermal energy storage system for supplying the total energy demand of a greenhouse located in the South of Italy, avoiding the use of the gas boiler. The aim of the work is to assess the technical and economic performance of a low-cost pit storage system, made of gravel and water, placed under the greenhouse to save surface. The study provides an original analysis of the charging and discharging phases during one year of operation on the basis of the real hourly heating demand and on real weather data. A sensitivity analysis of the levelized cost of heat is carried on with respect to the solar-collector area and to the storage-pit volume. The analysis shows that a minimum-cost design solution exists to cover 100% of the heat demand with an estimated levelized cost of heat of 153.3 EUR/MWh. The results demonstrate that dual-media thermal energy storage systems with solar thermal collectors represent a viable solution for reducing the environmental impact of greenhouses.
Date Issued
2023-07
Date Acceptance
2023-05-16
Citation
Energy Conversion and Management, 2023, 288, pp.1-11
ISSN
0196-8904
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Start Page
1
End Page
11
Journal / Book Title
Energy Conversion and Management
Volume
288
Copyright Statement
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Identifier
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2023.117123
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
117123
Date Publish Online
2023-05-16