Work

Comparison of a Solar Driven Absorption Chiller and Photovoltaic Compression Chiller Under Different Demand Profiles: Technological, Environmental and Economic Performance

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: HVAC systems are becoming increasingly important around the world due to the increasing need for climatization in recent years. While district heating systems have been used for a long time, district cooling systems tend to be something that is only reserved for large buildings, making decentralized cooling flourish, shaping the idea of considering it as the first choice when it comes to cooling devices, disregarding the efficiency of larger systems. This article compares two technologies for district energy solutions. One option features single-stage absorption chillers using solar thermal technologies (Fresnel collectors) for heat, while the other uses high-efficiency compression chillers with photovoltaic technologies. Parametric studies were used to determine system sizes and considerations were taken to perform such as comparison. This paper concludes that compression chillers are the better option for cooling systems with variable demand while absorption chillers are a good choice for systems with constant demand, like data centers, especially when there is a high-temperature heat source available.

Source: Energies

DOI: 10.3390/en18205334

Authors: Juan José Roncal-Casano, Javier Rodríguez-Martín, Paolo Taddeo, Javier Muñoz-Antón, Alberto Abánades-Velasco

Institutions: Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Institut de Recerca en Energia de Catalunya

Language: English

Topic: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technologies

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Climate action

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137