Thermal and electrical performance assessment of a solar polygeneration system

Abstract In this paper, a reliable and cost-effective polygeneration system for an existing test building, able to provide electricity, cooling and heating needs is presented, modelled and assessed. The system relies on solar energy as the primary source (PV and solar thermal collectors). Building cooling demand is achieved with a variable geometry ejector heat pump. To reduce the mismatches between generation and consumption, different types of storage are included (electrical and thermal). A system prototype is under development and will be installed as a demonstration site in Portugal. To assess the test building energy needs, the electricity consumption of all consumers was measured. For the thermal energy demand a numerical model using TRNSYS software was developed. The building thermal performance was validated using experimental data. The numerical model also includes the solar field, thermal energy storage and ejector cycle. To model and simulate yearly electricity production PVSyst software was used.