Development of an advanced simulation model for solar cooling plants

Solar Cooling systems represent an effective solution to increase the use of solar energy in buildings, satisfying cooling demand in a sustainable and efficient way. Although the reference technologies are mature (solar collectors, absorption chillers, adsorption chillers, etc.), these systems often require detailed studies to define control techniques, management integration systems and energy optimization [1,2]. This work has been focused on the development and calibration of a dynamic simulation model of a solar cooling system in order to create an efficient and robust tool to support the phases of planning and management. The model was developed in Matlab-Simulink ambient taking as a reference the system installed at the building F-51 of ENEA Research Center “Casaccia” in Rome. The calibration carried out made the model representative of reality with an average error of 10% and it has allowed us to quantify the benefits obtained by some optimization measures in order to make the maximum primary energy savings in the overall operation of the system. The simulation model can help to increase the commercial deployment of solar cooling systems when used to identify the layout of plant and the associated control strategies that maximize the system's efficiency and profitability of the investment.