D. Mugnier [10]*

1 TECSOL SA, 105 avenue Alfred Kastler, BP 90434, F-66004 PERPIGNAN, France
* Corresponding Author, daniel. mugnier@tecsol. fr

Abstract

This poster is aimed at presenting a fast pre-design method based on a succession of tools assembled in a future unique computer application.

The method is based on individual existing tools coming from European and national R&D projects (a specific acknowledgment to the Fraunhofer ISE). It is based as well on the feed back of European solar cooling experiences through expert engineering companies. The IEA Task 38 framework, through Subtask B (Custom-made systems for large non-residential buildings and industrial applications), has permitted to TECSOL to build-in this method with numerous international expert contributions.

First, a check list leads to determine or select if the technology really match the environment of the project (loads, meteorology, requirement, topologic barriers, etc…).

When most of the arguments of the list meet a positive answer, the method shows to the user the specific requirements on some parameters of the project: materials, building, installer, exploitation staff and monitoring of the installation. Advice on the best and most adapted technology is given thanks to a decision scheme.

Then, the user can easily and roughly simulate the targeted building and make some calculation from the boundary conditions, thanks a simple method based on ratios.

At this stage, the user can have a good picture of the technical and economical aspects of solar cooling technology for his project, through a user friendly presentation of the results.

The presented user-friendly method should permit to help planners, architects and building owners to evaluate whether a solar assisted cooling system can be integrated in their building project, and under which conditions and at which investment and operating costs. This represents therefore an helpful way to break one of the barriers for the integration of Renewables in the Built Environment.

Keywords: solar cooling, predesign tool, software

Some precautions must particularly be taken at different levels of the project, to have the best conditions to implement such a technology in real conditions : type of targeted building, environment, geographic situation, load profile, pre-design of the system, design, commissioning, and monitoring. Due to the early development stage of the solar cooling technology and the complexity of the system design, no easy-to-play and fast pre-design method is for the moment available to planners, architects and building owners. The goal is to provide them a tool to assess whether the project is feasible or not, at a technical level as well as at an economical one.

2. Description of the method