Optimization and assessment of solar-assisted cooling systems: A multicriteria framework and comparative study

<p dir="ltr">In the current context of global warming, where district cooling systems are increasingly burdening power grids worldwide, it is important to design and operate alternative systems that are not only environmentally friendly, but also cost effective for sustainable energy...

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Main Author: Dana Alghool (10340691) (author)
Other Authors: Reem Khir (10150152) (author), Mohamed Haouari (10340697) (author)
Published: 2024
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author Dana Alghool (10340691)
author2 Reem Khir (10150152)
Mohamed Haouari (10340697)
author2_role author
author
author_facet Dana Alghool (10340691)
Reem Khir (10150152)
Mohamed Haouari (10340697)
author_role author
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Dana Alghool (10340691)
Reem Khir (10150152)
Mohamed Haouari (10340697)
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2024-01-26T12:00:00Z
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv 10.1016/j.ecmx.2024.100530
dc.relation.none.fl_str_mv https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Optimization_and_assessment_of_solar-assisted_cooling_systems_A_multicriteria_framework_and_comparative_study/29445812
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv CC BY 4.0
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv Engineering
Environmental engineering
Mechanical engineering
Solar cooling systems
System modeling
Optimization
Multiple criteria decision analysis
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Optimization and assessment of solar-assisted cooling systems: A multicriteria framework and comparative study
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv Text
Journal contribution
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
text
contribution to journal
description <p dir="ltr">In the current context of global warming, where district cooling systems are increasingly burdening power grids worldwide, it is important to design and operate alternative systems that are not only environmentally friendly, but also cost effective for sustainable energy transition. This paper investigates the potential of two, previously unexplored, solar cooling systems while considering economic and environmental criteria: a Solar Thermal and Electrical Cooling System (STECS) that relies solely on solar energy, offering a significant environmental advantage, and a Hybrid Solar Cooling System (HSCS) that combines a compression chiller and an absorption chiller for improved efficiency. First, novel Mixed-Integer Linear Programming models are proposed to aid in generating cost-effective designs and operations for each of STECS and HSCS. Second, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is adapted to evaluate both systems and benchmark them against conventional cooling systems previously studied in the literature. The proposed framework allows decision makers to assess the potential of these systems using three criteria; namely, cost, carbon dioxide emissions, and noise levels, which are crucial for ensuring the social acceptance of district cooling technologies worldwide. A computational study is presented to show the practical relevance of the proposed framework using real-demand data obtained from an educational district in the State of Qatar. Results show that the integration of solar energy into conventional cooling systems has the potential to significantly reduce the annual total net cost by 61%, CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by 60%, and noise levels by 53%, on average. Additionally, the benchmark results demonstrate that the zero-carbon dioxide emissions solar cooling system achieves the highest overall performance score when all criteria are considered together.</p><h2>Other Information</h2><p dir="ltr">Published in: Energy Conversion and Management: X<br>License: <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a><br>See article on publisher's website: <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2024.100530" target="_blank">https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2024.100530</a></p>
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identifier_str_mv 10.1016/j.ecmx.2024.100530
network_acronym_str Manara2
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oai_identifier_str oai:figshare.com:article/29445812
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spelling Optimization and assessment of solar-assisted cooling systems: A multicriteria framework and comparative studyDana Alghool (10340691)Reem Khir (10150152)Mohamed Haouari (10340697)EngineeringEnvironmental engineeringMechanical engineeringSolar cooling systemsSystem modelingOptimizationMultiple criteria decision analysis<p dir="ltr">In the current context of global warming, where district cooling systems are increasingly burdening power grids worldwide, it is important to design and operate alternative systems that are not only environmentally friendly, but also cost effective for sustainable energy transition. This paper investigates the potential of two, previously unexplored, solar cooling systems while considering economic and environmental criteria: a Solar Thermal and Electrical Cooling System (STECS) that relies solely on solar energy, offering a significant environmental advantage, and a Hybrid Solar Cooling System (HSCS) that combines a compression chiller and an absorption chiller for improved efficiency. First, novel Mixed-Integer Linear Programming models are proposed to aid in generating cost-effective designs and operations for each of STECS and HSCS. Second, the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) is adapted to evaluate both systems and benchmark them against conventional cooling systems previously studied in the literature. The proposed framework allows decision makers to assess the potential of these systems using three criteria; namely, cost, carbon dioxide emissions, and noise levels, which are crucial for ensuring the social acceptance of district cooling technologies worldwide. A computational study is presented to show the practical relevance of the proposed framework using real-demand data obtained from an educational district in the State of Qatar. Results show that the integration of solar energy into conventional cooling systems has the potential to significantly reduce the annual total net cost by 61%, CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by 60%, and noise levels by 53%, on average. Additionally, the benchmark results demonstrate that the zero-carbon dioxide emissions solar cooling system achieves the highest overall performance score when all criteria are considered together.</p><h2>Other Information</h2><p dir="ltr">Published in: Energy Conversion and Management: X<br>License: <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</a><br>See article on publisher's website: <a href="https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2024.100530" target="_blank">https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2024.100530</a></p>2024-01-26T12:00:00ZTextJournal contributioninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersiontextcontribution to journal10.1016/j.ecmx.2024.100530https://figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Optimization_and_assessment_of_solar-assisted_cooling_systems_A_multicriteria_framework_and_comparative_study/29445812CC BY 4.0info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccessoai:figshare.com:article/294458122024-01-26T12:00:00Z
spellingShingle Optimization and assessment of solar-assisted cooling systems: A multicriteria framework and comparative study
Dana Alghool (10340691)
Engineering
Environmental engineering
Mechanical engineering
Solar cooling systems
System modeling
Optimization
Multiple criteria decision analysis
status_str publishedVersion
title Optimization and assessment of solar-assisted cooling systems: A multicriteria framework and comparative study
title_full Optimization and assessment of solar-assisted cooling systems: A multicriteria framework and comparative study
title_fullStr Optimization and assessment of solar-assisted cooling systems: A multicriteria framework and comparative study
title_full_unstemmed Optimization and assessment of solar-assisted cooling systems: A multicriteria framework and comparative study
title_short Optimization and assessment of solar-assisted cooling systems: A multicriteria framework and comparative study
title_sort Optimization and assessment of solar-assisted cooling systems: A multicriteria framework and comparative study
topic Engineering
Environmental engineering
Mechanical engineering
Solar cooling systems
System modeling
Optimization
Multiple criteria decision analysis