Can solar energy be stored in a chiller?

While cold energy can be stored when excess solar energy leads to extra generation of cold energy from the chiller. The stored cold energy can be discharged to cover part of the cooling demand. Both cold and hot storage can be in the form of sensible or latent heat.

How does a chiller system work?

A secondary loop that feeds chilled water to the air handler coils. And the last piece is to add in the thermal energy storage tank tied into the primary chilled water loop. The system can run using just the chillers, or the chiller could be run at night to charge the storage tank when electrical rates are cheaper.

How does an absorption chiller work?

Here, the absorption chiller is connected directly to the solar thermal collector that provides the required heat energy to operate the chiller. The chiller produces a cooling effect during sunshine hours and charges the cold storage. The stored cool energy can be discharged to cover the cooling requirement of a building.

Why is thermal energy storage important for solar cooling systems?

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 .

What is cold storage in a chiller?

The stored cool energy can be discharged to cover the cooling requirement of a building. Depending on the type of chiller in terms of working fluid pairs, the cold storage can be either sensible (cold water) or latent heat in the form of ice or low-temperature PCMs.

Can solar cooling systems be controlled with absorption chillers?

Discussed various control strategies of solar cooling systems with absorption chillers. Solar cooling technology is a potential solution for air conditioning and thermal comfort in buildings. However, the intermittent nature of solar energy is a significant challenge for the widespread adoption of this technology.