Thermal energy storage (TES) is crucial for solar cooling systems as it allows for the storage of excess thermal energy generated during peak sunlight hours for later use when sunlight is not available, thereby extending the cooling coverage of solar-driven absorption chillers .
The deployment of solar-based thermal cooling systems is limited to available solar radiation hours. The intermittent of solar energy creates a mismatch between cooling needs and available energy supply. Energy storage is, therefore, necessary to minimize the mismatch and achieve extended cooling coverage from solar-driven cooling systems.
In order to overcome this challenge, energy storage systems and new control strategies are needed to smooth the fluctuations of solar energy and ensure consistent cooling output. However, integrating energy storage with solar cooling systems and their interaction with load requires a considerable initial investment.
The new arrangement introduced in the present system by placing the thermal energy storage medium within the common condenser section of the heat pipe helped to obtain uniform outlet air temperature even if there is fluctuation in solar radiation.
Thermal storage stores excess solar energy or extra cold products from the chiller during times of high solar radiation. By providing proper control between the storage and the system during periods of low solar radiation, the stored energy can be used effectively to ensure the cooling supply is maintained and the system operates more efficiently.
This study proposed and optimized a collector-storage solar air heating system (CSSAHS) containing a dual-channel thermal storage unit (TSU) for building HRV preheating so as to extend the adequate operating time and increase heat recovery potential. The mathematical model of the system and the corresponding experiments were established.