Economic and energy evaluation of a solar multi-generation system powered by the parabolic trough collectors

Due to the increase in living standards, the increased energy consumption, and the depletion of fossil fuels, it is crucial to provide part of this demand through renewable energies. Due to the high potential of solar energy and its inherent variability over time, dynamic evaluation of a multi-generation system over a long time can examine the performance of such systems more precisely, which is rarely paid attention. In this study, a dynamic solar combined cooling, heating, power, and water production has been modeled with the help of MATLAB, EES, and TRNSYS software. Moreover, a phase change material energy storage unit has been used to store solar thermal energy and reuses the stored energy in case of low or without solar radiation modes. The desired configuration has been investigated from the energy and economic points of view. Also, sensitivity analysis and parametric studies have been done on the eight effective parameters. Evaluating various organic Rankine fluids illustrates that toluene has the best annual performance. Furthermore, the amounts of LCOW, LCOE, LCOC, and LCOH for the base case are 2.984 $/m3, 0.121 $/kWh, 0.064 $/kWh, and 0.019 $/kWh. Also, the payback period is determined 6 years for the base case.

Automated summary

In order to meet the increasing energy consumption caused by the improvement of living standards and the depletion of fossil fuels, utilizing renewable energies becomes crucial. This study presents a dynamic solar combined cooling, heating, power, and water production system, which is modeled using MATLAB, EES, and TRNSYS software. The system incorporates a phase change material energy storage unit to store and reuse solar thermal energy. The energy and economic aspects of the system configuration are investigated, and various parameters are analyzed. Toluene is found to have the best annual performance among the evaluated organic Rankine fluids.