Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for Renewable ... - EGEC

RenewableHeating & CoolingEuropean Technology Platform4.2.1 Research and innovation priorities with impact in the Short TermR&D priorities for solar heating and cooling systems in non-residential buildingsaim at simplifying installation, improving integration, increasing stability, reliabilityand long-term performance. Enabling a higher share of solar collectors to be integrated intothe building envelope is also a priority. The improvement of thermally driven cooling componentsdeserves special attention.ST.6ObjectiveState-of-the-artTargetsType of activityMultifunctional building components, including façade and roof integrated collectors,for new and existing buildingsSolar thermal systems will be integrated into the building envelope by means of multifunctionalcomponents. Collectors, storage and other components will become structural elements fulfillingmultiple functions in the building, such as heat generation, storage and distribution as well asstatic function. They will optimise the use of passive and active solar energy in the building,generating heat, regulating the building temperature, distributing and storing heat and cold.Some building components will become itself part of the heating and cooling system, with improvedaesthetics and integration of multifunctional components fulfilling the requirementsof buildings regarding security and maintenance.Today, solar thermal system components are – as the heating and cooling equipment in general– separated from the building components. Only the concrete core activation for heat and colddistribution is increasingly used. The solar collector is usually installed with a small distance tothe roof tiles, however it is sometimes already integrated in the roof or in the façade with multiplefunctionality, such as insulation and protection against the weather elements. Some pilot installationshave been realised using prefabricated integrated solar façades, with a solar collector onthe outside, a heat distribution system on the inside and a heat store in between.Development of multifunctional solar elements, which will be used as building components,e.g. solar collectors as roof and façade elements and building walls as heat stores with multiplefunctionalities and high flexibility regarding the architectural integration available in the marketby 2020. Availability of prefabricated multifunctional solar façade systems for energy-relatedrefurbishment of existing buildings.20% Research / 50% Development / 30% DemonstrationST.7ObjectiveState-of-the-artHighly efficient solar assisted cooling systems combining heating and coolingThe main research regarding cooling components will focus on developing technical solutionsto make the systems more economically attractive and well performing on a long-term basis.For the first criteria, plug and function systems will be developed so as to decrease installationcost. These systems will require hydraulic configurations as simple as possible when at thesame time leading to very low primary energy consumption when coupled with back up.Specific building applications will be identified so as to maximise the solar energy usability allyear long as well on cooling as heating (space and DHW). Specific developments are expectedon the adaptation of solar system to low parasitic consumption through new heat rejectionconcepts and on system architecture leading to very low cost for operation and maintenance.Finally lots of effort should be devoted to the development of packaged solutions reducinginstallation hassle and increasing the level of standardisation of solar cooling systems,either they are small, medium and even large capacity.In 2011 about 750 solar cooling systems were installed worldwide, including installationswith small capacity (less than 20kW) 53 .Due to the large number of system components, i.e. cooling equipment, solar collectorsand heat storage appliances, which are not optimized yet, the investment costs are high andsolar thermal cooling systems are not yet cost-competitive with conventional electrically-drivencooling systems.TargetsType of activityOverall efficiency (in equivalent power consumption) of the solar system for heatingand cooling of more than 10 (COP) and solar cooling system costs halved by 2020.30 % Research / 40% Development / 30% Demonstration53Mugnier & Jakob (2012).4.2.2 Research and innovation priorities with impact in the Medium and Long TermSolar thermal applications to the service sector have a significant potential in the Medium toLong Term. Research activities should focus on the following priorities:• Development of cost effective solar based hybrid systems for 100% renewableheat solutions (ST.8) leading to solar fractions above 50%. These system concepts areparticularly suitable to replace conventional heating systems of swimming pools, carwashfacilities and other application characterised by constant daily heat demand through theyear with only week-end breaks.• Research on new absorption and adsorption chillers (ST.9). The performance ofsolar air conditioning and refrigeration systems can be increased considerably dueto higher temperature of heat rejection in new absorption and adsorption chillers,as well as new desiccant and evaporative cooling concepts (solid and liquid desiccantsorption systems).43