Solar heating and cooling with absorption refrigeration

Abstract

This project is focused on solar heating and cooling installations that use solar thermal energy to produce heat for domestic hot water or space heating, and cooling for air conditioning through absorption refrigeration cycle. The first part of the project is a literature review of said technology. The main components of such installations are described and results and conclusions from existing installations are reviewed. The second part is focused on designing, modelling and simulating a solar heating and cooling installation based on an existing sports centre located in Caldes de Montbui, close to Barcelona. The results are compared in energetic and economic terms with the existing installation, which uses solar thermal energy just for domestic hot water. Conclusions are drawn from the results of the analysed installation, and the potential of this technology is assessed.