E. Ampatzi[5]*, I. Knight1, M. Rhodes1 and F. Agyenim1

1 Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University.

* Corresponding Author, AmpatziE@cf. ac. uk

Abstract

This paper investigates the applicability of solar thermal systems for domestic hot water preparation and thermal comfort satisfaction across the Welsh housing stock. It analyses the role of thermal energy storage technologies (TES) in achieving significant solar fractions with these systems.

Twelve house types, considered as representative of the entire Welsh Housing stock are modelled and the thermal energy demand for space heating and cooling and domestic hot water preparation for each house type is calculated. The share of the total thermal energy requirement that can be met by solar energy, instantaneously and by means of thermal energy storage techniques for each house type is predicted. The results of this work reveal the relative importance of the use of TES in solar thermal applications for the climate of Cardiff and the specific housing types. The analysis will show for each house type the trade off between storage capacity and collector’s area, to achieve solar fractions of 50%. The effect of warmer than average weather conditions is also revealed, with the use of actual measurements of year 2007 for the city of Cardiff.

Keywords: Thermal Energy storage, space heating and cooling, DHW, TRNSYS.