PhD Thesis - Energy Systems Research Unit - University of Strathclyde

ABSTRACTThe domestic sector accounts for a substantial 25% of the total energyconsumption within the EU. Although a number of measures aimed at reducing thisenergy consumption have successfully been implemented, in southern Europe thisreduction has been partly offset by the increased penetration of residential airconditioning relying on vapour compression packaged split units. A more concreteaction is therefore needed. One method which is being proposed is to use microtrigenerationsystems to provide combined heating, cooling and electrical power. Byrecycling the waste heat produced from a small energy conversion system and utiliseit to run a thermally activated cooling device, micro-trigeneration has the potential toimprove the energy-efficiency of dwellings, hence reducing consumption.An important aspect in evaluating micro-trigeneration and its potentialeffect on improving energy-efficiency in buildings is the formulation of a detailedassessment of its energetic, environmental and economic performance. This shouldnot be limited only to the present operating conditions but should also includepossible future ones. In this context, a lot of research still needs to be done tounderstand the potential impact that externally imposed conditions, such as thosecaused by additional measures meant at reducing the overall energy demands of abuilding, might have on the system. The research presented in this thesis makes useof a combined deterministic and sensitivity analysis methodology in conjunctionwith data obtained from simulations performed using a whole building simulationtool run at high temporal resolution to model, simulate and assess microtrigenerationperformance under varying conditions. The research in this thesispresents the methodology used to create the different scenarios and the resultingresults obtained.The outcomes from this PhD work include a new method and tool togenerate high resolution electrical demand data incorporating the effect of futureenergy efficiency savings; a dynamic model of an absorption chiller designed to beeasy-to-calibrate and; detailed, integrated models of a trigeneration system alongwith the Maltese apartment building which it serves.iii