This dissertation is written as the final project of the MSc in Energy Systems at the International Hellenic University (IHU). The present dissertation compares the performance
of Solar micro-CHP systems, which utilize Seasonal (long- term) Thermal Energy Storage Systems (STESS) in combination with a Stirling engine for domestic applications.
The STESS concept relies to the storage of heat in large facilities during charging period
(summer period) for later use during the heating period (winter and autumn), when heating is demanded. The Stirling engine is attached to the STESS tank and operates under
certain circumstances to cover part of the electricity demand.
In more detail, the TRNSYS software is used to model and simulate the above-mentioned micro-CHP system, assuming that is installed and operating in the city of Thessaloniki, Greece. The collection of the solar energy is achieved through flat plate collectors
that allow the charging of two stratified storage tanks, a short term DHW tank and a long
term STESS tank. The latter one is connected via a heat exchanger with a single zone
building, in order to contribute to the space heating when there is a need of thermal energy. The system is simulated for three different solar collector areas: 40, 60 and 80 m2
.
Simulation results for the city of Thessaloniki for the case of 40 m2 collector area and 30
m3 STESS tank volume, showed that up to 52.8 % of the space heating demand for a
specific single-family detached home can be covered by the STESS configuration. For
the same configuration the Stirling engine can produce up to 258 kWh electrical power
during the heating period.
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