Energy 95 (2016) 346e366

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Energy
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A novel solar-assisted heat pump driven by photovoltaic/thermal

collectors: Dynamic simulation and thermoeconomic optimization
Francesco Calise a, Massimo Dentice d'Accadia a, Rafal Damian Figaj b, *, Laura Vanoli b
a
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, P.le Tecchio 80, 80125, Naples, Italy
b
Department of Engineering, University of Naples Parthenope, Centro Direzionale. IS.C4, Naples, Italy

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: This paper presents a dynamic simulation model and a thermo-economic analysis of a novel poly-
Received 2 September 2015 generation system based on a solar-assisted heat pump and an adsorption chiller, both driven by PVT
Received in revised form (photovoltaic/thermal) collectors. The aim of this work is to design and dynamically simulate a novel
6 November 2015
ultra-high efficient solar heating and cooling system. The overall plant layout is designed to supply
Accepted 29 November 2015
Available online xxx
electricity, space heating and cooling and domestic hot water for a small residential building. The system
combines solar cooling, solar-assisted heat pump and photovoltaic/thermal collector technologies in a
novel solar polygeneration system. In fact, the polygeneration system is based on a PVT solar field,
Keywords:
Solar energy
coupled with a water-to-water electric heat pump or to an adsorption chiller. PVT collectors simulta-
Solar cooling neously produce electricity and thermal energy. During the winter, hot water produced by PVT collectors
Heat pump primarily supplies the evaporator of the heat pump, whereas in summer, solar energy supplies an
Adsorption chiller adsorption chiller providing the required space cooling. All year long, solar thermal energy in excess is
Heating and cooling system converted into DHW (domestic hot water). The system model was developed in TRNSYS environment. 1-
PVT (photovoltaic/thermal) year dynamic simulations are performed for different case studies in various weather conditions. The
results are analysed on different time bases presenting energetic, environmental and economic perfor-
mance data. Finally, a sensitivity analysis and a thermoeconomic optimization were performed, in order
to determine the set of system design/control parameters that minimize the simple pay-back period. The
results showed a total energy efficiency of the PVT of 49%, a heat pump yearly coefficient of performance
for heating mode above 4 and a coefficient of performance of the adsorption chiller of 0.55. Finally, it is
also concluded that system performance is highly sensitive to the PVT field area. The system is profitable
when a capital investment subsidy of 50% is considered.
© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction polygeneration [10,11] system included in this paper. In the fol-

In the past decades, a number of Countries, especially in EU,
massively supported conventional solar technologies (solar ther-
mal and solar photovoltaic) by public funding [1]. This resulted in a
significant reduction of their capital cost, especially for PV
(photovoltaic) systems (from 7.0 kV/kWp to 1.3 kV/kWp). Simul-
taneously, more and more attention has been paid to some inno-
vative solar technologies other than PV and solar thermal, namely:
solar power [2,3], solar heating and cooling [4,5], hybrid PVT
(photovoltaic/thermal) solar collectors [6e9]. The majority of these
novel solar technologies are implemented in the novel solar
* Corresponding author. Tel.: þ39 0815476709; fax: þ39 0815476777.
E-mail address: rafal.figaj@uniparthenope.it (R.D. Figaj).
lowings, a brief description of such technologies is provided.
PVT (photovoltaic/thermal) collectors are particularly prom-
ising, since they combine in a single component conventional
photovoltaic collectors, PV, and conventional thermal SC (solar
collectors) [12,13]. PVT collectors simultaneously produce elec-
tricity and heat [14]. PVT collectors are typically manufactured by
covering the absorber of a conventional thermal collector with a
suitable PV layer. Thermal energy is distributed to a fluid (typically
air [15] or water [16e18]), whereas the PV layer produces electricity
[12,13]. The overall result is the simultaneous production of elec-
tricity and heat [19]. In addition, the electrical efficiency of a PVT
collector may be even higher than that of a conventional PV
module, at least in case of low PVT operating temperatures
[12,13,20]. The most common PVT configuration is the “sheet-and-
tube” [21], where a conventional SC thermal collector is equipped

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.11.071
0360-5442/© 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366
with a PV layer encapsulated in the absorber, although several
alternative configurations are currently under investigation
[12,13,22,23]. PVT electrical efficiency decreases when the oper-
ating temperature increases. Usually, the performance drop-off due
to temperature increase is not too high: it is typically around 0.45%/
K for silicon cells [20], and even lower in case of novel PV materials,
such as multi-junction solar cells which can approach a nominal
efficiency of 40% [24,25]. In any case, a lower operating temperature
of PVT collectors obviously leads to an improvement of both elec-
trical and thermal efficiencies [26]. For this reason, PVT systems are
typically used for low-temperature applications, such as domestic
hot water production, floor heating, desiccant cooling [27,28]. A
possible alternative for increasing the outlet temperature of the
working fluid without decreasing the PVT electrical efficiency may
consist in the use of a heat pump (mainly driven by the PVT electric
output) [12,13,22].
The combination of PVT collectors and heat pumps is a special
case of the category of the SAHP (solar-assisted heat pumps), in
which solar thermal energy is used to enhance the COP (coefficient
of performance) of a conventional HP (heat pump) providing space
heating during the winter season [29,30]. SAHP typically include
conventional flat-plate solar thermal collectors producing a hot
fluid supplying heat to the evaporator of an electric vapor-
compression heat pump. When SAHP system include PVT collec-
tors, the compressor of the HP can be driven by the renewable
electrical energy produced by the collectors, further enhancing the
overall efficiency of the system [31]. SAHP systems are typically
classified into two groups: direct and indirect coupled. In the first
case, the refrigerant directly flows inside the PVT collectors. In the
second case, PVT and HP working fluids are decoupled by means of
a heat exchanger. Higher conversion efficiencies and lower capital
costs are achieved by the direct configuration. Conversely, the in-
direct one is much more simple and flexible, especially during the
summer season [32,33]. The majority of the studies available in
literature only analyse the conventional direct SAHP arrangement
based on an electric heat pump and flat-plate solar collectors. The
combination with PVT systems is scarcely analyzed. In particular,
Gorozable Chata et al. [32] investigated the thermal performance of
a direct expansion solar-assisted heat pump with several re-
frigerants, using two different configurations for the collector, bare
and with cover. The results showed that R-12 produces the highest
value of COP, followed by R-22 and R-134A. A similar study was
presented by Zhang et al. [34], who investigated the effects of the
refrigerant charge on the performance of the system. In the opti-
mum configuration, good system performance and feasible costs
can be achieved [34]. Tagliafico et al. [35] proposed to use solar
thermal collectors as thermal exchange units (evaporators) in a
heat pump system, in order to improve the efficiency and the
economic profitability of the system. The authors used a simplified
approach and they found results consistent with those available in
literature, with a mean primary energy saving of about 50% with
respect to a standard gas burner. A similar approach was also used
by Scarpa et al. [36], using a model developed around the fluid-
independent Carnot cycle. The system produces hot sanitary wa-
ter and it is equipped with an auxiliary gas burner. The authors
found results in accordance with those available in the literature
[36]. The direct expansion SAHP, including solar thermal collectors,
was also investigated by Chow et al. [37]. The authors presented a
numerical model of the system. Then, a simulation was performed
using the TMY (typical meteorological year) weather data of Hong
Kong: a year average COP (coefficient of performance) of 6.46 was
found. A more complex direct SAHP was presented by Chaturvedi
et al. [38], including a double-stage compression for high temper-
ature applications. Results are presented and compared with those
of a single-stage direct expansion solar-assisted heat pump. The
347
authors concluded that significant improvement of the thermal
performance is achieved at high condensing temperatures when
using the double-stage SAHP system. However, a higher capital cost
(due to the larger solar field area) must be taken into account. A
more comprehensive analysis of the papers available in literature
investigating direct SAHP system was presented by Kara et al. [39],
also including energy and exergy models. From this study, it is clear
that only a couple of papers investigate PVT collectors, whereas the
remaining ones focus on conventional solar thermal collectors [39].
One of the few studies investigating SAHP including PVT collectors
was presented by Chow et al. [40]. The authors modeled a PV-SAHP
(photovoltaic-integrated solar heat pump) system, using a dynamic
simulation model and the TMY weather data of Hong Kong. It was
found that the proposed system with R-134a is able to achieve a
year average COP of 5.93 and a PV efficiency of 12.1%; the energy
output is therefore considerably higher than that of a conventional
heat pump plus PV “side-by-side” system. The indirect SAHP
configuration was investigated by Sterling et al. [41]. The authors
designed and modeled an indirect SAHP for DHW (domestic hot
water) production, which was compared to a conventional SDHW
(solar domestic hot water) system and to an electric domestic hot
water system. The simulations were performed by TRNSYS soft-
ware, using a simple scheme and basic control strategies. It was
found that the best performance, considering the electrical con-
sumption and the operating cost, was achieved by the SAHP system.
In this study, a solar field equipped with conventional solar thermal
collectors was considered [41]. An indirect SAHP configuration also
including PVT collectors was recently presented by Hazi and Hazi
[33]. The authors presented a comparative study of indirect
photovoltaic thermal solar-assisted heat pump systems for water
heating in industry is presented. Both steam ejector heat pumps
and mechanical compression heat pumps were evaluated, for an
application in a paper mill. A numerical model was implemented
including energy, exergy and economic balances for a Romanian
climatic condition. The authors concluded that in winter the
operation time of the heat pump is shorter than the duration of the
solar radiation, while in summer, when the air temperature and the
solar radiation are higher, such operation time equals the duration
of the solar radiation. SAHP systems are also studied in a plurality of
applications, such as: swimming pools [42,43], solar heating and
cooling [21], desalination [44], geothermal heat pumps [45], etc. A
considerable number of studies are also available in literature
presenting different experimental analyses of different SAHP con-
figurations [46e54], including a number of different solar devices
(flat-plate collectors, PVT collectors, evacuate tube collectors, vari-
able speed compressors, etc). All the papers investigating the
experimental performance of SAHP systems are based on small
systems, and mainly focus on the direct configuration arrangement.
As mentioned before, SAHP systems are specialized in the con-
version of solar heat space heating energy during the winter sea-
son. Conversely, in summer, solar energy can be converted in space
cooling energy by solar cooling systems [55,56]. In particular, this
technology is particularly promising since the availability of solar
radiation is simultaneous with building space cooling demand.
Conversely, in winter time, the maximum heating demand often
occurs in case of extremely scarce solar radiation [57]. The basic
principle is simple since solar heat is delivered to a heat-driven
chiller (absorption [5], adsorption [58], desiccant [59], etc.) con-
verting such heat into cooling energy [5,56]. The majority of the
literature studies and commercial systems are based on evacuated
tubes solar thermal collectors and a single-effect absorption chiller
[1,60]. In climates where the availability of solar beam radiation is
extremely high, the combination of concentrating solar collectors
and a double-effect absorption chiller may be profitable [57]. In this
case, a higher solar collector outlet temperature is required to drive
348 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366
the chiller. Conversely, for colder climates solar collector temper-
ature is lower and an adsorption chiller is usually employed [61]
since such chillers can be activated for lower hot fluid tempera-
tures. Literature review regarding solar cooling systems equipped
with adsorption chiller is very rich [56,58,61,62]. A number of pa-
pers are available in literature presenting both numerical [63,64]
and experimental analyses [65,66] of solar cooling systems equip-
ped with adsorption chillers. For example, Gonzales et al. devel-
oped a solar adsorption cooling system based on CPC (compound
parabolic collectors) where the tube includes the sorption bed. The
system was designed and experimented, showing that the
measured solar COP ranged from 0.078 to 0.096 [67]. The same
collector technology (CPC) was investigated by Lu et al. [68]. They
coupled the CPC collectors to an adsorption chiller and found that
the average solar COP was 0.16. Such figure may increase up to 0.19,
when the hot water temperature is 125  C [68]. Similarly a number
of novel solar adsorption prototypes are diffusely discussed in
literature [69e71].
In the recent few years, a new layout of solar cooling system has
been also designed. This novel layout replaces the conventional
solar thermal collectors by PVT collectors. Such arrangement allows
one to enhance the overall system energetic efficiency since a
certain amount of electricity is also produced in addition to the
conventional space heating and cooling energy [21,24,44,72e74]. In
particular, Calise et al. designed and simulated a hybrid solar tri-
generation system including flat-plate PVT collectors and an ab-
sorption chiller [21]. They found that the outlet temperature of the
PVT collectors were adequate to drive the absorption chiller,
whereas a significant decrease of the electrical efficiency was
achieved as a consequence of the increase of the operating tem-
perature. System performance significantly improved when highly
efficient CPVT (concentrating PVT) collectors, using III-V PV cells,
are employed [72,74]. In case of a dish CPVT collector a double-stage
absorption chiller can be driven [72], whereas using linear para-
bolic CPVT collectors a single-stage absorption chiller must be
considered [74]. All these studies regarding solar trigeneration
systems are based on absorption chiller. The possibility to combine
CPVT and adsorption chiller was investigated only by Garcia-Heller
et al. [75]. The authors performed an exergoeconomic analysis of a
10 MW 2000 suns CPVT solar field. Authors investigated the pos-
sibilities to use CPVT heat to drive an adsorption chiller, pointing
out that a possible increase of the COP of this device is crucial for
achieving good energetic, exergetic and economic performance
[75].
As a summary, a large number of papers is available in literature
presenting both numerical and experimental analyses of SAHP, PVT
and adsorption solar cooling systems. As expected, the papers
investigating the system from the experimental point of view only
focus on simple system layouts, often simulating user load de-
mands. As for numerical studies, the majority of the papers found in
literature only focus on the direct SAHP configuration, whereas
only few studies are available in which the indirect configuration is
investigated. Such studies are often based on simple models and/or
they just consider solar thermal collectors, rather than PVT collec-
tors. Therefore, the indirect configuration is scarcely studied,
especially when coupled with PVT collectors. In this case, no study
was found in literature presenting a 1-year simulation model of an
indirect SAHP system including PVT collectors, based on realistic
load demands. Moreover, no paper was found in literature inves-
tigating the possible integration of SAHP systems with an adsorp-
tion chiller in order to supply also space cooling energy in addition
to the space heating one. In particular, no study was found in
literature investigating the novel layout presented in this paper,
where PVT collectors drive a SAHP and an adsorption chiller,
respectively for the winter and summer operation. In this paper,
authors aim at improving the knowledge on this topic presenting a
dynamic model of this indirect SAHP system based on PVT and
adsorption chiller technologies. With respect to the papers
mentioned above [33,41], a much more complex system layout,
developed with TRNSYS software, is proposed, including all the
components required for operating the system (mixers, valves,
controllers, heat exchangers, tanks, collectors, etc.). In addition,
some innovative control strategies are here presented, aiming at
maximizing the utilization of solar energy in all the operating
conditions. Finally, differently from the majority of the studies
available in literature, this work presents a much more detailed
methodology for the assessments of building loads. In fact, system
space heating and cooling and domestic hot water demands are
calculated on the basis of detailed simulation models of a specific
building, developed in TRNBUILD, included in TRNSYS package. The
model is also completed by a detailed thermo-economic optimi-
zation aiming at calculating the capital and operating costs in all
the configurations investigated, in order to determine the cost-
optimal system configuration.
2. System layout
A simplified layout of the system under investigation in the
paper is shown in Fig. 1, where only the main components are
displayed. The proposed system is used to provide space heating
during the winter (from 16th November to 31st March) and space
cooling during the summer (from 1st June to 31st October).
Furthermore, the system produces DHW (domestic hot water) and
electric energy (all year long). The proposed plant is a small size
PVT system installed on a residential use building. Here, the overall
amount of electric energy provided by a small or medium size PV
system in a year is much lower than the corresponding demand of
the building, even in the absence of electric powered heating and
cooling equipment (heat pumps or chillers). Thus, it is assumed that
the electric energy provided by the PVT system is completely
consumed by building electric equipment.
The system layout includes several operating fluids and main
components, reported in Tables 1 and 2, respectively.
Additional BOP (balance of the plant) components (not dis-
played in Fig. 1, for brevity) have been also implemented in the
simulation model, such as: pipes, sensors, controllers (proportional
and on/off with hysteresis), schedulers (daily, weekly and seasonal).
In particular, the pipes were used in order to simulate the duct-
work. Other mandatory components are: weather database, plot-
ters, printers, integrators, etc.
The design parameters for all the main components of the sys-
tem were accurately selected in order to allow the system to
operate properly, meeting the energy demands of the building.
Such values are summarized in Table 3.
In particular, set-point temperatures and temperature dead-
bands for the components were selected in order to minimize the
number of on-off events.
The presented ST (solar trigeneration) system was dynamically
simulated in TRNSYS environment [48]. The basic operating prin-
ciple of the system can be here summarized as follows.
Solar irradiation is converted into electrical energy and thermal
energy through the PVT field. The produced electrical energy is
completely consumed by the user, due to the operation of the
reversible heat pump and the remaining electric equipment of the
building. The solar thermal energy produced is used to heat up the
SCF (solar collector fluid) circulating through the PVT field.
The water flow rate of the variable speed pump P1 is regulated
by a proportional controller activated when the radiation is higher
than 10 W/m2 [76] (see Fig. 2). This controller varies continuously
P1 flow rate, in order to achieve the desired PVT outlet temperature.
 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366 349

Fig. 1. Simplified layout of the proposed system including the main components and loops.

Table 1
Description of the system operating fluids.
Operating fluid
SCF e solar collector
fluid
HF e hot fluid
CW e cooling water
DHW e domestic hot
water
CHW e chilled water
HEW e heated water
Description
Water flowing from the solar
field to the source sides of the tanks
Water flowing from the load side of
tank to the evaporator of the heat pump
(winter) and to the hot side of the
adsorption chiller (summer)
Water flowing from the surface aquifer to
the condenser of the heat pump or to the
cooling side of the adsorption chiller (summer)
Water used for domestic devices
Circulating chilled water in the building
hydronic system
Circulating heated water in the building
hydronic system
The set point temperature at the outlet of the PVT depends on the
tank to be charged (TK1 and TK2) and on the season (winter and
summer). In fact, TK1 has to provide heat to the evaporator of the
water-to-water heat pump and to the hot side of the adsorption
chiller in winter and in summer respectively, whereas TK2 is used
for DHW production all year long.
In particular, in winter PVT set point temperature is 30  C when
TK1 is supplied by the collectors. Conversely, in summer when the
same TK1 has to be charged, the set point temperature is set at
70  C. Moreover, when TK2 has to be supplied by solar thermal
energy, the set point temperature is set at 55  C, independently
from the season. This strategy is performed in order to maximize
PVT electric efficiency, increasing in case of low operating tem-
peratures, operating at the lowest temperature compatible with
user demands (HP in winter and ADS in summer).

Table 2
Description of the system main components.

System main component Description

PVT Photovoltaic/thermal collector field with water-cooled sheet-and-tube planar solar collectors with a cover glass and a
photovoltaic panel placed above the absorber, whose inclination is 30 and with south orientation
TK1 Thermal storage system that supplies thermal energy to the evaporator of the heat pump (winter) and to the hot side of
the adsorption chiller (summer), and consists of a vertical stratified hot storage tank equipped with inlet stratification
devices
TK2 Thermal storage system that stores the eventual solar heat in excess (when TK1 is thermally loaded) for producing DHW,
and consists of a vertical stratified hot storage tank with an internal heat exchanger
HE Plate-fin heat exchanger in the solar loop used to dissipate the solar thermal energy when the solar irradiation is higher
than the HP (winter) or the adsorption chiller, ADS, (summer) thermal demand and when both tanks are thermally
loaded
GB Gas-fired burner used to produce the building DHW when TK2 top temperature is below the required set-point
HP Reversible heat pump with a reversing valve used to reverse the refrigerant flow from the compressor through the
condenser and evaporation coils; HP supplies space heating energy in winter and auxiliary space cooling energy in
summer when ADS capacity is lower than building demand
ADS Adsorption chiller with zeolite adsorption material, powered thermally by the HF (summer)
WE Cold water surface aquifer well that provides cooling water CW to the condenser of the HP or to the cooling side of the
ADS in the summer operation mode
TK3 Inertial hot/chilled water storage tank used in order to reduce the number of on/off events of the reversible heat pump
HP and the adsorption chiller ADS
FC Fan coil system that supplies thermal energy for space heating and cooling, as needed
P1 Variable-speed pump a variable-speed pump, P1, for the SCF loop
P2/3/4/5 Fixed-volume pumps for the HF, CHW/HEW and CW loops
D, M Flow diverters and mixers used in order to properly manage the fluid circulating within the loops
350 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366

Table 3 operation is done when the TK1 top temperature is not within the
System design parameters. fixed deadband (60e65  C) [77] in order to achieve a proper ADS
Parameter Value [unit] operation.
PVT field area 20 [m2]
The control system manages the solar thermal energy in order
Reference temperature for PV efficiency 25 [ C] to supply primarily TK1, only when this tank is thermally loaded,
PVT slope 30 [ ] SCF is moved to the TK2 internal heat exchanger, in order to pro-
PVT azimuth 0 [ ] duce DHW. If the DHW energy demand is not satisfied by solar
PVT set point temperature (when TK1 is supplied) 30/70 [ C]
energy, and therefore TK2 top temperature is below 45  C, the
PVT set point temperature (when TK2 is supplied) 55 [ C]
Nominal P1 flow rate per PVT area 50 [kg/(h m2)] control system turns GB (gas burner) on. In this way, even in case of
TK1 volume/PVT area 100 [l/m2] scarce solar irradiation, the system provides the heat required for
TK1 height 2 [m] matching DHW demand.
TK1 set point temperature 25/65 [ C]
In winter and summer, when both tanks are thermally loaded,
TK1 activation deadband 5 [ C]
TK2 volume/PVT area 50 [l/m2]
SCF is bypassed, in order to avoid TK2 overheating of. In this
TK2 height 1.6 [m] operation, the SCF flow entering D1 is supplied straight to M1 (see
TK2 set point temperature 50 [ C] Fig. 2), therefore the SCF is re-circulated through the closed loop
TK2 activation deadband 3 [ C] constituted by PVT collectors, HE and P1. The by-pass operation is
TK3 volume 1 [m3]
also performed in order to avoid TK2 cooling down when SCF
TK3 height 1 [m]
TK3 set point temperature winter 47 [ C] temperature is lower than TK2 top temperature. In fact, SCF is
TK3 activation deadband winter 2 [ C] bypassed as long as its temperature is not 2  C higher than TK2 top
TK3 set point temperature summer 6 [ C] temperature. Then, SCF is supplied to the TK2 internal heat
TK3 activation deadband summer 2 [ C] exchanger in order to produce DHW (see Fig. 2).
HE activation temperature 70 [ C]
TK1, TK2, TK3 loss coefficient 0.278 [W/(m2  C)]
Note that PVT outlet temperature may overcome the set point
P3 flow 2400 [kg/h] when the user thermal energy demand is low and/or solar radiation
P4 flow 1500 [kg/h] is high. In such case, in order to avoid SCF overheating and a
P5 flow 3600 [kg/h] consequent decrease of PVT electric efficiency, PVT fluid is cooled
HP rated heating capacity 8 [kW]
down by the heat exchanger HE, dissipating the solar thermal en-
HP rated cooling capacity 7 [kW]
Space heating set point temperature 20 [ C] ergy in excess. Conversely, when the user thermal energy demand
Space cooling set point temperature 26 [ C] is high and the solar irradiation is low, PVT outlet temperature may
be lower than the fixed set point.
The running logic of the ADS and HP circuits is show in Fig. 3. In
The running logic of the solar loop operation is shown in Fig. 2. the winter period, HF (hot fluid) is supplied by the load side of tank
PVT outlet fluid (SCF) is managed through two diverters and two TK1 to P2, that pumps the flow across D3 and M5 towards the
mixers, D1, D2 and M1, M2 respectively. In this way, PVT field can evaporator side of the reversible HP. HF temperature is lowered by
supply alternatively TK1 and TK2. A sensor measures the tem- the heat exchange within HP evaporator. Then, HF returns to the
perature at the top of tank TK1; in winter, when such temperature TK1 tank across D5 and M3. In order to meet the building space
falls outside the fixed range (25e20  C), the control system heating demand, HP is activated in order to maintain the top
switches the flow of D2 to TK1 (see Fig. 2). In summer, this same temperature of the inertial tank TK3 within the fixed deadband

Fig. 2. Control strategy: management of solar thermal energy, and tanks operation represented by a flowchart diagram.
 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366
Fig. 3. Control strategy: management of heat pump (HP) and adsorption chiller (ADS) operation represented by a flowchart diagram.
(48-45  C) (see Fig. 3). When TK3 top temperature drops to 45  C,
HP is turned on and HEW (heated water) is pumped by P3 to the
condenser of the reversible HP. HEW passed through the HP
condenser is supplied to the TK3 source side across M6. In this way,
when the room temperature falls below 19  C, the hot fluid stored
in TK3 is supplied by P4 to the fan-coils. In this case, the room
temperature rises up to 21  C.
In the summer period, HF is supplied by the load side of tank
TK1 to P2, that pumps the flow across D3 towards the hot side of
the adsorption chiller ADS (see Fig. 3). In order to dissipate the heat
rejected by ADS, CW is pumped from WE by P5 towards the cooling
side of ADS across D4. CW exiting ADS passes through M4 and is
rejected to the sewer. The space cooling is provided by activating
ADS in order to control the top temperature of the inertial tank TK3
within a fixed deadband (12e14  C). When the TK3 top tempera-
ture rises to 14  C ADS is turned on and CHW is pumped by P3 to the
chiller side of ADS. CHW passed through the ADS is supplied to the
TK3 source side across M6. In this way, when the room temperature
exceeds 27  C, the chilled water stored in TK3 supplies the fan-coils
inside the building. In this case, the room temperature decreases to
25  C. If TK1 top temperature is not high enough (below 55  C), no
solar thermal energy is supplied to ADS. In this case, in order to
maintain the TK3 top temperature within the fixed deadband
(12e14  C), the reversible HP is turned on (see Fig. 3). Therefore, the
condenser of the reversible heat pump HP is connected to the CW
cooling circuit through D4, M5 and D5, M4, in order to dissipate the
heat rejected by the condenser. Thus, the space cooling is provided
by activating the HP, as a chiller, in order to control the top tem-
perature of the inertial tank TK3. Moreover, when the space cooling
demand is high and the TK1 top temperature is low (60  C) the TK3
top temperature may rise above 14  C even if the ADS is activated. If
the inertial tank top temperature rises over 16  C ADS is deactivated
and the reversible heat HP is turned on in order to cool down the
tank to the lower deadband value (12  C). In this way, even in case
of scarce solar irradiation and high space cooling demand the
system provides required cooling power.
It is worth noting that the set points temperatures of the
components are related to the optimum operating range of the
equipment, e.g. heat pump or adsorption chiller. In particular, the
set point temperatures were selected in order to achieve the
nominal capacities/performance of these components. Moreover,
PVT set point temperature is maintained as low as possible in
order to enhance collectors efficiency and to provide a proper
equipment operation. However, in Section 5 a sensitivity analysis
is also presented in order to investigate the effect of the variation
of such set-point temperatures on the overall system energetic
and economic results.
351
Summarizing the system operation (Table 4).
- in winter, the heat produced by the PVT field is supplied pri-
marily to the reversible heat pump for space heating, while the
remaining part is used for DHW production;
- in summer, the heat produced by the PVT field is supplied pri-
marily to the hot side of the adsorption chiller for space cooling
(with a surface aquifer for heat rejection to the ambient and the
reversible heat pump in cooling mode as backup equipment),
while the remaining part is used for DHW production.
3. Simulation model
The system described in the previous section was dynamically
simulated in TRNSYS. The simulation tool allows one to calculate
energy and mass flows and temperature profiles for the compo-
nents of the system for whatever period of the year. Both energetic
and economic performance of the system under investigation can
be analyzed by means of integrated data on whatever time period
(hours, days, weeks, months or years). Moreover, the software in-
cludes a library of built-in components often based on experi-
mentally validated data [78].
The entire simulation model of the proposed system includes
several submodels, simulating all the components included in the
system and listed in the previous section. It is worth noting, that all
the submodels are linked to each other in order to perform the
overall system simulation. In particular, the majority of the models
(e.g. pumps, mixers, diverters, valves, controllers, gas burner,
reversible water to water heat pump, adsorption chiller, building,
etc.) were taken from the software library. On the contrary, specific
models have been also developed for the management of the sys-
tem (Control System) and for the calculations of primary energy
savings and for the evaluation of the economic profitability of the
system (Primary Energy Calculator and Economic Costs Calculator).
The models of the components taken from TRNSYS library were
Table 4
Working modes of the system for different seasons.
Season
Winter Summer
Working mode Space heating PVT þ HP e
Space cooling e PVT þ ADS
HP þ WE (as auxiliary device)
DHW PVT þ GB PVT þ GB
352 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366

previously validated vs experimental data, as shown in TRNSYS Table 5

reference [78]. Other components are based on a data lookup PVT design parameters.

approach where the performance is obtained by manufacturer data. Parameter Symbol Value Unit
Therefore such components are intrinsically validated. Neverthe- PVT gross area APVT 20 m2
less, the validation of the overall performance of the system as a PVT fin efficiency factor fp 0.96 kJ/kg K
whole is not possible since, in authors' knowledge, a similar solar Fluid specific heat cf 4.1877 e
system has never been experimented. However, considering that all Collector plate absorptance aPVT 0.92 kJ/h m2 K
Collector loss coefficient Ul 16 e
the sub-models of the components were previously validated vs
Cover glass transmittance tg 0.89 e
experimental data and/or based on manufacturer's data, it may be Temperature coefficient of PV efficiency bPV 0.0032 e
concluded that the overall results are highly reliable due to Reference temperature for PV efficiency Tref 25 
C
robustness and consolidated use of the models of all the compo- PVT packing factor: absorber area/PV area pf 0.8 e
nents of the system. PV electrical efficiency at Tref hPVT,ref 0.16 e

In the followings, for sake of brevity, only a brief description is

provided only for the PVT solar collector, the reversible heat pump
and the adsorption chiller; a detailed description of the models
used for the remaining components is available in the TRNSYS
reference [78]: type 3b for the singe velocity pumps, type 110 for
the variable speed pump P1, type 751 for GB, type 31 for the pipes,
type 4d for TK1, type 340 for TK2, type 60f for TK3.
3.1. PVT collector
The solar collector field consists of flat-plate photovoltaic ther-
mal solar collectors, PVT. Sheet-and-tube collectors [12,13,51] are
considered: they consist of a conventional solar thermal device
including a PV film covering the absorber. PVT consists of a set of
components: a glass cover, an absorber encapsulating the PV film,
flow channels for the cooling fluid and thermal insulation. The PVT
collector was simulated by adopting the component Type 50
included in the TRNSYS library. Here, PVT collectors are simulated
by using a modified version of flat-plate thermal collectors in which
a PV module has been added [78]. Moreover, constant values for the
overall energy loss coefficient, the glass transmittance and the
absorbance of the absorber [79] were assumed in the model. The
model calculates PVT electrical efficiency as a function of the
temperature of the PV cell average temperature, Tcell:
h  i
hPVT ¼ hPVT;ref pf 1  bPV Tcell  Tref (1)
the component included in the type 669 of the TRNSYS library. This
component is based on user-supplied data files, which consists of
manufacturer catalog data, including heating/chilling capacity and
power consumption for the different operating conditions. The data
files were generated on the basis of the load value, the source
temperatures and liquid mass flow rates. Thus, the model adopted
by the authors for the component is validated using manufacturer
data. In particular, an AERMEC® WRL 41 reversible heat pump was
selected, with heating and cooling capacities equal to 8 and 7 kW,
respectively.
The model is based on well-known thermodynamic equations.
The heat pump COP in heating mode is given by:
NCheat
COPHP;heat ¼ (5)
P_ heat
The thermal energy absorbed from the source liquid stream in
heating mode is:
Q_ absor ¼ NCheat  P_ heat (6)
The source and load outlet temperatures of the two liquid
streams are calculated as follows:
Q_ absor
Tsource;out ¼ Tsource;in  (7)
m_ source cP source

The temperature of the cell is calculated through an energy NCheating

balance, accordingly to the modified Hottel eWillier e Bliss Tload;out ¼ Tload;in  (8)
_
mload cP load
approach [78]. Thermal energy per unit area produced by the PVT is
calculated as follows: The governing equations in the chilling mode are similar to
those used for the heating mode, namely:
Ul* ¼ Ul  tg Itot hPVT ðTcell  Tamb Þ (2)
NCchill
COPHP;chill ¼ (9)
fp U * APVT
l
P_ chill
m_ f cf
1e
FR ¼ m_ f cf (3)
Ul* APVT Q_ rejec ¼ NCchill þ P_ chill (10)

 
Q_ u ¼ Itot FRtg aPVT Ul* Tf ;in  Tamb (4) Q_ rejec
Tsource;out ¼ Tsource;in þ (11)
m_ source cP source
Finally, energy balances are used to calculate the outlet tem-
perature of the fluid (Tf,out), the PV average temperature (Tcell) and NCchill
the electric energy production. The PVT design parameters for the Tload;out ¼ Tload;in þ (12)
m_ load cP load
case study analyzed in the paper, taken from Ref. [21], are listed in
Table 5.

3.2. Reversible heat pump 3.3. Adsorption chiller

A reversible heat pump, HP, was used for space heating purposes An adsorption chiller, ADS, was used for space cooling purposes
and as space cooling auxiliary equipment. In particular, a single- in the summer season. In particular, a hot water powered adsorp-
stage water-to-water heat pump was considered [80]. In the tion chiller with solid desiccant zeolite matrix was used [80]. In the
model, the reversible heat pump was simulated by implementing model, this component was simulated by the component
 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366 353

represented by type 909. As for the heat pump, the component is

based on user-supplied data files, which consists of manufacturer
catalog data, including cooling capacity and the coefficient of per-
formance for the different operating conditions. The data files were
generated on the basis of the hot, chilled and cooling side inlet
temperatures and liquid mass flow rates. In particular, an InvenSor®
LTC 10 vario adsorption chiller was selected, with a cooling nominal
capacity equal to 10 kW.
The thermodynamic model of the adsorption chiller is based on
well-known equations. The thermal energy removed from the
chilled water is computed as:
   
Q_ chw ¼ MIN Q_ capacity ; m_ chw cP;chw Tchw;in  Tchw;set
where Tchw,set is the set point temperature for the outlet chilled
water stream and is an input to the model. The adsorption chiller
operates with the regeneration of a desiccant matrix, the energy
required for this process is:
Q_ chw
Q_ hw ¼
COPADS
In addition, adsorption chiller operation requires that thermal
energy must be rejected by the cooling water stream. This energy
flow is calculated as follows:
Q_ cw ¼ Q_ chw þ Q_ hw þ Q_ aux
Q_ chw
COPADS ¼ (19)
Q_ aux þ Q_ hw
3.4. Energy savings and economic analysis
The energy analysis was performed evaluating the eventual
savings in terms of primary energy achieved by the PS (proposed
system), compared to a conventional system assumed as a refer-
ence (RS). In order to compare the systems on the same base of final
primary energy demand, it was assumed that both PS and RS pro-
(13) duce the same amount of space heating, cooling and domestic hot
water. Moreover, according to the assumption that all the produced
electric energy by the collectors is totally consumed by the user, RS
electric energy produced by the PVT field must be entirely provided
by the public grid.
The reference system was assumed to include a natural gas
boiler for DHW production (boiler system efficiency,
hRS,DHW ¼ 0.85), a reversible air-to-air heat pump for space heating
(14) and cooling (coefficient of performance in heating and cooling
mode COPRS,heat ¼ 3.0 and COPRS,chill ¼ 2.5, respectively). Moreover,
in such reference system, the public grid is used for matching the
electric demand of the building (average national electrical effi-
ciency is hRS,el ¼ 0.46) [81]. Thus, the primary energy saving ach-
ieved by the PS is calculated as:
(15)

DPE ¼ PERS  PEPS

QDHW Qheat Qchill
PERS ¼ þ þ
hRS;DHW COPRS;heat hRS;el COPRS;chill hRS;el (20)
EPVT;el þ EP5;el QDHW;GB Qheat Qchill;HP Qchill;ADS
PEPS ¼ þ þ þ þ
hRS;el hRS;DHW COPPS;HP;heat hRS;el COPPS;HP;chill hRS;el COPRS;chill hRS;el

where Q_ aux is the auxiliary energy required to run the pumps and Note that, the electric energy consumption of P1 and P2 was
controllers of the chiller. Once all the energy flow terms are defined neglected because these values are two orders of magnitude
(hot, chilled and cooling sides of the adsorption chiller), the outlet lower than the electric energy produced by the PVT. Conversely,
water streams temperatures can be calculated as: the P5 electric energy consumption must be considered because

8   
>
> T if Q_ capacity  m_ chw cP;chw Tchw;in  Tchw;set
< chw;set
Tchw;out ¼ Q_ capacity    (16)
>
> if Q_ capacity < m_ chw cP;chw Tchw;in  Tchw;set
: Tchw;in  _
mchw cP;chw

it is not negligible with respect to the PVT electric energy

Q_ cw production.
Tcw;out ¼ Tcw;in þ (17) An economic analysis was also implemented in the simula-
m_ cw cP;cw
tion tool, calculating investment costs and economic savings.
Cost functions for all the components of the system were
Q_ hw introduced in order to calculate their capital costs. In order to
Thw;out ¼ Thw;in  (18) estimate the components costs, the cost functions were derived
_
mhw cP;hw
from manufacturers’ data, on the basis of the selected capacities
Finally, the coefficient of performance is calculated as follows: (Table 3).
354 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366
Fig. 4. 3D model of the one-floor building considered in the simulations.
PVT collectors and tank costs are evaluated as follows [44]:
CPVT ¼ 600APVT
Ctank ¼ 494:9 þ 808:0Vtank
The reversible heat pump cost was obtained by manufacturers'
data, in the range of 5e35 kW; thus, it is evaluated as follows:
2
CHP ¼ 4:7108PHP þ 139:69PHP þ 3845:7
The specific cost per kW of cooling power of the adsorption
chiller was estimated in 500 V/kWcool [82], thus the cost of the
thermally driven chiller is:
CADS ¼ 500Qchill;ADS
For the cost of Balance of Plant components required in the
system (pipes, pumps, valves, controllers, etc.), a 20% of the overall
cost estimated for PVT, tanks, HP and ADS was assumed. Thus, the
total capital cost of the proposed system was estimated as:
CPS;tot ¼ 1:2ðCPVT þ Ctank þ CHP þ CADS Þ
For the RS, the following operating costs were assumed: a cost of
0.20 V/kWhel for the electric energy; a unit cost of 0.80 V/Sm3
(referred to a lower heating value of 9.59 kWh/Sm3) for the natural
gas; differences in maintenance costs between PS and RS were
neglected. Moreover, as mentioned before, it was assumed that the
building consumes all the electric energy produced by the PVTsystem,
also due to a net-metering contract with the public grid manager.
The operating costs for the PS are not negligible and they are only
due to the operation of the electrical devices, whereas the savings
due to the following energy flows were considered in the economic
analysis: i) electric energy produced by the PVT and self-consumed
by the building; ii) electric energy savings due to a higher COP of
the water-to-water heat pump with respect to the air-to-air one, for
both heating and cooling modes; iii) thermal energy produced by
the PVT and used for the DHW production. So, the annual savings of
the PS with respect to the RS were calculated as:
Jtot ¼ Cop;RS  Cop;PS
QDHW Qheat Qchill
Cop;RS ¼ j þ j þ j
LHVNG hRS;DHW NG COPRS;heat el COPRS;chill el
  QDHW;GB Qheat
Cop;PS ¼  EPVT;el þ EP5;el jel þ j þ
LHVNG hRS;DHW NG COPPS;HP;heat el COPPS;HP;chill el COPRS;chill el
Note that in the previous equation, COP of HP is accurately
calculated on the basis of the dynamic simulations as the ratio
between the annual cooling/heating energy and the electrical one.
Conversely, for the Reference System, RS, average yearly COP are
considered.
The economic performance of the proposed system is evaluated
using the SPB (Simple Pay-Back period) index, defined as follows
CPS;tot  CRS;tot
SPB ¼ (27)
Jtot
where CRS,tot is the total cost of the reference system, assumed equal
to the cost of the reversible heat pump incremented by 20%. This
cost estimation was achieved analyzing manufacturers cost data for
an HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) system based
on reversible heat pumps of cooling and heating capacity similar to
(21) those involved in the proposed system.
In order to consider a possible public funding strategy for the
installation of a new HVAC system in a residential building a capital
(22)
investment subsidy equal to the 50% of the total capital cost for
both RS and PS was considered. This kind of subsidy is common in
Italy for new HVAC systems. Under these conditions, the Simple Pay
Back index is calculated as follows:
(23)  
0:5 CPS;tot  CRS;tot
SPBcis ¼ (28)
Jtot
4. Case study
(24)
A base case study was developed for the system, using Meteo-
norm weather data of Naples, South of Italy. The building coupled
with the SAHP system is a one-floor apartment located at the top
floor of residential building. The building includes a flat roof and 4
zones (Fig. 4). The house floor and roof have an area of 100 m2 and
the height is 2.70 m; the glazed area per each facade is 3.60 m2.
(25) Moreover, the house is divided into four rooms with independent
fan coils that provide the required space heating or cooling energy.
It was assumed that during the heating season space heating
operates from 7 to 11 am and from 2 pm to 8 pm, while space
cooling is activated from 8 am to 6 pm in the cooling season. In this
paper, the Google SketchUP tool for designing 3D buildings was
used in order to implement the case study building model. Thus,
the first step of the work focused on the implementation of building
model in the TRNSYS software. In particular, the model was im-
ported in TRNSYS by using the TRNSYS3d plug-in Ref. [83]. Fig. 4
shows the building 3D model, whereas Table 6 presents trans-
mittances of building envelope components. In particular, each
component (wall, roof and floor) was modeled with a set of layers,
not reported here for sake of brevity.
Furthermore, the assumed building user DHW demand is re-
ported in Fig. 5.
The main design and operating parameters of the proposed
system are reported in Table 3. In particular, for the PVT a tilt of
(26)
Qchill;HP Qchill;ADS
j þ j þ j
 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366
Table 6
Transmittances of building envelope components.
Element Value [W/(m2 K)]
External wall 0.830
External roof 0.816
Floor 1.048
Internal wall 2.856
Window 2.830
30 and a field area of 20 m2 area were assumed. The selection of
collector slope is consistent with the data reported in works
[73,74,84]. In fact, using Meteonorm data for Naples [78], the
optimal slope for an annual operation (without tracking system) is
found at about 30 . For sake of brevity, only the main parameters
used in the simulations are reported in Tables 3 and 5 due to the
high number of components required to run the simulation.
Moreover, a parametric design of the system components was
performed, as a consequence some of the design parameters
shown in the previous table are related to each other. In particular,
the implemented algorithm selects automatically the capacities of
the components on the basis of some main system parameters. For
example, the PVT field area determines the P1 capacity, TK1 and
TK2 volumes because the parameters determining the size of
these components are referred to the unit of PVT field area
(Table 3). It is worth noting that the capacities of the system
components were selected in order to cover all the heating and
cooling demand of the building and a part of the DHW demand all
year long.
For each simulation, the TRNSYS model provides several data,
such as temperature, load profiles, and integrated values of the
same variables of a fixed time basis (for example, the weekly,
monthly or yearly energy demand). As mentioned above, the dy-
namic simulation tool developed in this work allows the use of
whatever time basis (seconds, days, weeks, months or one year) to
integrate the results. In particular, this feature is used for a better
interpretation of the results because oscillations achieved during
the dynamic operation are mitigated with the integration process.
The system simulation was performed for one year (from 0 h to
8760 h) and the time step was 0.05 h. The relative tolerance
convergence and integration values of 0.001 were adopted. In
particular, specifying a relative convergence tolerance indicates
that TRNSYS should not move on to the next time step until all
connected outputs are changing by less than one-tenth of one
percent of their absolute value and all integrated outputs are
changing by one-tenth of one percent of their absolute value. In
addition, a small time step (0.05 h) is required in order to
Fig. 5. Daily DHW demand for the simulated building.
355
appropriately simulate controllers operation, since the time step is
representative of controllers sampling time. In addition, small time
steps are recommended in order to promote convergence in
capacitive components (e.g. tanks) and to improve results accuracy.
The dynamic behavior of the system is presented in terms of
temperature and energy profiles for two days, representative of
winter and summer system operation. The variation of the most
important energy parameters during the year is presented on a
weekly base. The yearly results are presented with an annual
integration for the base case. The yearly results are also presented
for additional two locations, in particular the system simulation
was performed for the weather data of Palermo and Milan in order
to investigate the system performance in different climatic
conditions.
Finally, a parametric sensitivity analysis and a thermo-economic
optimization were performed. In particular, the first analysis was
performed in order to study the dependence of the performance
and economical profitability of the PVT system as a function of main
system parameters.
5. Results
5.1. Winter day
The selected representative winter day of the daily results
provided by the simulation in the heating season is January 27th
(from 600 h to 624 h). Fig. 6 shows the main temperatures in the
system for the selected day, where the operation of the system is
outlined. In particular, it is clearly shown the operation of the
controllers managing the pump P1, mixers (M1 and M2) and
diverters (D1 and D2) installed in order to manage the SCF flow to
TK1 and to TK2 internal heat exchanger. It is worth noting that none
operation occurs in the system until 7 am, because there is no
demand for space heating or DHW.
During the night hours (from 0.00 am to 7.00 am) there is no
solar thermal energy produced by the PVT collectors (QPVT) and
both tanks (TK1 and TK2) are not heated. Therefore, a decrease of
the temperature inside such tanks (TTK1,top and TTK2,top) is reported,
due to their thermal losses. At 7 am, the sensor of the radiation
detects irradiance higher than 10 W/m2; as a consequence, P1 is
activated and the SCF starts to circulate within the solar loop. Thus,
PVT outlet flow temperature (TPVT,out) rises due to the solar thermal
gain.
At the same time, TK1 top temperature decreases below 20  C.
Thus, according to the system control strategy, during the first
hours of the morning SCF is pumped from the bottom of TK1 to the
356 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366
Fig. 6. Temperatures, winter day 27th January (600e624 h).
PVT field by means of P1. In this phase, inlet PVT temperature is
equal to the bottom TK1 temperature (TTK1,bottom), thus the solar
thermal energy produced by the PVT field is supplied to TK1. This
operation occurs until its top temperature reaches the fixed set-
point temperature (25  C). Moreover, during this operation, PVT
set point temperature is set to 30  C by the control system.
At the same time, TK2 top temperature continues to decrease,
due to DHW demand and thermal losses. As a consequence, TK2
temperature is not high enough to produce DHW using only solar
energy, thus the auxiliary heater is activated in order to provide
DHW at 45  C.
As previously mentioned, the building space heating system is
activated at 7:00 am. At the same time, TK3 temperature (TTK3,top)
is about 45  C, due to the thermal losses occurred in the night.
Thus, at 7:00 am the reversible heat pump is turned on and heats
the TK3 up to the set point temperature (47  C). Therefore, TK1 top
temperature decreases due to the HF supply to the source side of
HP.
TK1 reaches the set point temperature approximatively just
before 12:00 am and during the previous part of day TK1 top
temperature remains below 25  C and no solar thermal energy is
supplied to TK2. Therefore, the heat produced by the PVT field is
entirely delivered to TK1, until its top temperature reaches the fixed
set-point temperature (25  C). When TK1 is thermally loaded, D2
deviates the SCF to the TK2 internal heat exchanger, for DHW
production. At the same time, the control system sets the PVT set
point temperature to 55  C.
The DHW tank is supplied with SCF approximately until just
after 4.00 pm; during this operation the TK3 tank set point
Fig. 7. Thermal and electric flow rates, winter day 27th January (600e624 h).
temperature is not reached due to the low PVT outlet temperature
and to the DHW demand. Therefore, the solar thermal energy
supplied to TK2 is not enough to produce DHW exclusively by solar
energy, thus the auxiliary heater is activated again in order to
provide DHW at 45  C.
During the morning, TK3 top temperature decreases due to tank
thermal losses and FC (fan coil) system heat demand. Therefore,
just after 10:00 am, the temperature at the top of TK3 drops below
the lower deadband (45  C); so, HP is again activated in order to rise
the temperature to the set point temperature (47  C). Such decrease
of TK3 temperature is due to the high space heating demand of the
building in the morning hours. In the same period, TK1 is still
supplied by solar energy, however, its top temperature drops to
approximatively 19.5  C due to the thermal energy supply to the HP
source side. Furthermore, just before 7:00 p.m. the HP is again
activated in order to rise the TK3 top temperature to the 47  C set
point. Moreover, from 4:00 pm to 9.00 pm the TK2 top temperature
decreases mainly due to the DHW demand of building users. It is
worth noting that, the PVT outlet temperature do not exceeds 70  C,
thus the operation of HE is not required.
The system energy flows can be also used to explain the dy-
namic behavior of the proposed system. In particular, energy flow
rate trends are shown in Fig. 7. The trend of the solar radiation
(IPVT) significantly affects the profiles of the heat and power (QPVT
and PPVT) produced by the PVT field, obviously the power pro-
duced by the system is directly connected to the solar radiation.
Moreover, the thermal powers supplied to TK1 and TK2 (QTK1 and
QTK2) are also shown. Note that, during the first part of the day,
thermal energy produced by the PVT collectors is completely
 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366
supplied to TK1. Then, during the remaining hours of the day, solar
energy supplies TK2. In the same figure, the activation of HP is also
clearly represented, showing that, for the selected day, space
heating demand occurs in the morning and late evening hours. It
is also worth noting that the thermal power supplied by HP
(QHP,heat) during the TK3 heating decreases due to the TK1 top
temperature decrease.
5.2. Summer day
As an example of the daily results provided by the simulation in
the cooling season, the representative summer day of June 19th
(from 4032 h to 4056 h) was selected. Fig. 8 shows the main tem-
perature profiles for the selected day. Here, it is clearly shown that
the solar loop is activated at 5:00 am. Obviously, the solar loop in
summer is activated earlier with respect to winter case due to the
higher sunlight hours.
In the early morning hours, TK1 top temperature is lower than
60  C. Thus, SCF is pumped from P1 to TK1 (across D1, D2, M1 and
M2). In the same period, solar radiation is not high enough to rise
TK1 top temperature to the desired set point (65  C). Moreover, TK1
top temperature decreases due to thermal losses.
The space cooling system is activated at 8:00 am, as a conse-
quence the inertial tank temperature (TTK3,top) increases until it
reaches the value of 14  C, approximately at 8:15 am. Then, the
adsorption chiller turns on and supplies chilled water CHW (chilled
water) to cool down the TK3 to the desired temperature (12  C). In
this operation, CW is supplied the cooling side of ADS by means of
P5 and the cooling circuit mixers and diverters. At the same time,
TK1 top temperature decreases to 55  C, minimum allowable
temperature for ADS operation. Thus, the control system turns ADS
off and as a consequence there is no thermal power supply from
TK1. After the ADS deactivation, TK3 top temperature increases due
to the FC system cooling demand. When this temperature reaches
16  C, HP is activated in order to match the cooling demand. In this
operation, D4 and M5 split CW to the condenser side of HP in order
to reject the produced heat. Therefore, the inertial tank tempera-
ture is lowered to the set point value of 12  C. This takes about
45 min.
During the morning hours, TK2 top temperature is lower than
45  C due to DHW demand of the previous day, and decreases due
to thermal losses. Thus, GB activation is mandatory required in
order to match the DHW demand.
After the ADS deactivation, approximatively at 8:40 am, TK1 top
temperature starts to increase due to the solar thermal energy
supplied by the PVT collectors. Therefore, approximately at
Fig. 8. Temperatures, summer day 19th June (4032e4056 h).
357
11:15 am the temperature at the top of TK1 increases to the set-
point value, 65  C. Then, TK1 is thermally loaded and the control
system switches D1 and D2 flow to the TK2 internal heat exchanger
in order to produce DHW. In the same period, the inertial tank
temperature increases due to the building cooling demand. Thus,
just before 12:00 am the activation of ADS is performed and the TK3
temperature is lowered from 14  C to 12  C. This implies a decrease
of TK1 temperature to 60  C approximatively at 12:20 am. As a
consequence, the control system switches SCF flow to the source
side of TK1 in order to heat it again to 65  C. Therefore, from
12:20 am to about 1:10 pm the solar thermal energy is supplied to
TK1 instead of TK2. Only when TK1 temperature reaches again
65  C, SCF can be supplied to TK2. Note that, the described opera-
tion of TK1 and TK2 heating is repeated again during the day, in
particular in the early evening hours. It is worth noting that, during
the considered day, TK2 top temperature does not reach the set
point value of 50  C, thus GB activation is activated in order to
match DHW demand.
In Fig. 8 it is clearly shown as the temperature at the top of TK3
slightly increases after ADS or HP deactivation due to the FC system
operation. Moreover, during the space cooling period (8 ame6 pm),
TK3 top temperature oscillates mainly between 12 and 14  C, in
order to properly provide the required inlet temperature to the FC
system. Only when ADS cannot be supplied by solar thermal energy
(TK1 temperature <60  C), TK3 temperature rises to 16  C. In this
case, to prevent a further temperature increase the reversible heat
pump is activated in cooling mode.
As for the winter day, the dynamic behavior of the system can be
also and better interpreted observing the heat flows shown in
Fig. 9. Here, the system operation discussed above is clearly
represented.
Note that, that the thermal power produced by the PVT collec-
tors increases when the TK2 internal heat exchanger is supplied.
This occurs because the outlet TK2 internal heat exchanger is lower
with respect to the TK1 bottom one, as a consequence the PVT heat
exchange is higher. Furthermore, the chilling power supplied by
ADS (QADS,chill) is more sensitive to the temperature variation of the
thermal source with respect to the HP one (QHP,chill). Moreover,
during the system operation no heat is dissipated by HE because
the storage capacity of the proposed system is not fulfilled, thus the
outlet PVT temperature is always lower than 70  C (Fig. 8).
5.3. Weekly analysis
The proposed system was also analyzed with the integration of
the results on a weekly basis in order to show the variation of
358 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366

Fig. 9. Thermal and electric flow rates, summer day 19th June (4032e4056 h).

energy flows and the system performance during all year. In
particular, this analysis was performed for a better understanding
of the results due to the mitigation of the fluctuations of the energy
flow trends shown in the previous subsection of the paper.
In Fig. 10 thermal and electrical energy flows (QPVT and PPVT)
related to the PVT field for each week are reported. Here it is clearly
shown that system performance is significantly affected by the
different availability of solar radiation in summer and winter.
Solar thermal energy supplied by both tanks (QTK1 and QTK2) and
the thermal energy dissipated (QHE) are also plotted in Fig. 10. It is
clearly shown that the last one is negligible in the winter period
with respect to the solar energy supplied by both tanks, because
PVT outlet temperature is often below 70  C and the solar energy is
completely supplied to TK1 and TK2. Only in intermediate seasons
(when space heating/cooling demand is very scarce or null), HE
dissipates the solar thermal energy. Chilled energy supplied in
summer by the adsorption chiller (QADS,chill) is higher than the heat
pump one (QHP,chill), this is due to the strategy adopted for HP
activation as backup system in order to satisfy the cooling demand.
Space cooling energy is demanded from mid-June to mid-
September and it is higher than the heating one.
The utilization of the solar thermal energy among the thermal
devices, TK1, TK2 and HE, is better shown in Fig. 11. Here, the solar
utilization factor (f) for the three thermal devices is reported. The
solar utilization factors is defined as the ratio between solar ther-
mal energy supplied to each component (TK1, TK2 and HE,
respectively) and the total solar thermal energy provided by the
PVT. In winter and summer, solar thermal energy produced by the
PVT collectors is mainly supplied to the solar tank TK1, in order to
satisfy the thermal energy demand of the reversible heat pump and
the adsorption chiller, in winter and summer respectively. Note that
in week 2 the thermal energy produced by the solar field is
completely supplied to TK1, because the solar radiation is low and
the heat demand is high. Moreover, during the summer period the
heat dissipated by HE is null, due to the high demand of thermal
energy of the adsorption chiller and DHW tank. In particular, the
maximum DHW production is achieved during the intermediate
seasons due to high thermal energy produced by the PVT field and
to low system cooling and heating demands.
The operation of the chilling equipment is reported in Fig. 12 as
utilization factors. It is defined as the ratio between thermal energy
supplied to the user in terms of chilling water by each component
(HP and ADS) and the total one. In the first week of cooling season
operation the thermal energy demand of the fan coil system is
almost totally supplied by the reversible heat pump. In fact, a small
amount of solar thermal heat is provided to TK1 in this week, thus a
negligible thermal energy is supplied to ADS. In all the remaining
weeks of cooling season the utilization factor of the ADS is higher
than the HP one. Note that the utilization of ADS is higher in the
firsts and lasts weeks of cooling season, instead of the central ones.
In the central weeks, solar energy availability is high (Fig. 10),
however the adsorption chiller contribution decreases due to high

Fig. 10. Thermal and electrical energies, weekly analysis between 1st and 52 nd week of the year.
 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366 359

Fig. 11. Solar energy utilization factor between 1st and 52 nd week of the year.

Fig. 12. Utilization factor of ADS and HP between 22nd and 44th week of the year (cooling season).

space cooling demand. As a consequence, the reversible heat pump Table 7

is often activated as a chiller in order to satisfy the user demand. In Annual results: thermal and electrical energies.

the last weeks of the cooling season, the cooling demand is entirely Parameter Value (kWh/year)
supplied by ADS because of the middle season climatic conditions Naples Palermo Milan
that produce a low space cooling demand.
IPVT 3.46Eþ04 3.75Eþ04 2.71Eþ04
QPVT 1.34Eþ04 1.44Eþ04 9.87Eþ03
5.4. Yearly results PPVT 3.65Eþ03 3.90Eþ03 2.92Eþ03
QHE 1.18Eþ03 1.74Eþ03 4.89Eþ02
The results of the annual simulations (from 0 h to 8760 h) for the QTK1 6.24Eþ03 6.45Eþ03 5.68Eþ03
QDHW,sol 4.89Eþ03 5.15Eþ03 2.96Eþ03
base case are summarized in Table 7, where both thermal and
QDHW 8.92Eþ03 8.92Eþ03 8.92Eþ03
electrical energies are shown. Moreover, in such table annual re- QHP,heat 1.94Eþ03 5.60Eþ02 4.84Eþ03
sults for the weather conditions of Palermo and Milan are also PHP,heat 4.61Eþ02 1.24Eþ02 1.70Eþ03
presented. According to the system behavior discussed in previous QHP,chill 8.03Eþ02 1.12Eþ03 3.51Eþ02
PHP,chill 1.37Eþ02 1.92Eþ02 6.01Eþ01
sections, the energy supplied to the building for space cooling
PHP 5.99Eþ02 3.16Eþ02 1.76Eþ03
(Qchill,req) is higher than that needed for space heating (Qheat,req). QADS,hot 3.85Eþ03 5.14Eþ03 2.00Eþ03
This occurs for Naples and Palermo because the weather conditions QADS,chill 2.10Eþ03 2.81Eþ03 1.09Eþ03
for these two locations are similar. Conversely, for Milan the QTK3,heat 1.68Eþ03 2.88Eþ02 4.57Eþ03
heating demand is higher than the space cooling one due to colder QTK3,chill 2.78Eþ03 3.81Eþ03 1.32Eþ03
Qheat,req 1.38Eþ03 1.85Eþ02 4.12Eþ03
climatic conditions compared to Naples and Palermo. Moreover,
Qchill,req 2.71Eþ03 3.72Eþ03 1.28Eþ03
Table 7 shows that solar thermal energy utilized by the system is PE 1.45Eþ04 1.52Eþ04 9.84Eþ03
lower than the one demanded by the user in term of space heating/
cooling and DHW demands. In fact, only a part of the cooling ad
DHW demand (QDHW) is supplied by solar thermal energy availability of the solar total radiation. Solar thermal energy sup-
(QDHW,sol). This condition enhances the full utilization of the solar plied by TK1 (QTK1) do not show significant variations among the
energy. three locations, ranging around 5e6 MWh. Moreover, HP electric
As expected, PVT thermal energy (QPVT) produced is higher in consumption (PHP) is mainly due to space heating operation
Palermo and Naples with respect to Milan due to the different because in summer the heat pump is only activated as backup
360 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366

Table 8 In Table 8, an investment cost of the proposed system of 27.1 kV

Comparative analysis of efficiency, economic parameters and annual energy results is reported. The economic analysis returns a SPB period of about 16
for the cities of Naples, Palermo and Milan.
years, for the system localization in Naples. This value was obtained
Parameter Naples Palermo Milan Unit with a saving of about 1.41 kV/year, an initial cost for the reference
hth,PVT 0.387 0.383 0.364 e system of 4.15 kV and without any public funding. In order to
hel,PVT 0.105 0.104 0.107 e consider a capital investment subsidy (similar to that currently
fsol,TK1 0.466 0.449 0.576 e adopted in Italy for renewable energy and energy efficiency sys-
fsol,TK2 0.365 0.359 0.300 e
tems, also including solar energy and heat pumps) a 50% discount
fsol,HE 0.088 0.121 0.050 e
COPHP,heat 4.214 4.502 2.838 e value was considered for both PS and RS. In this case, the SPB de-
COPHP,chill 5.841 5.841 5.841 e creases and it halves to about 8 years. Obviously, SPB period is
COPADS 0.546 0.547 0.544 e lower in Palermo due to the higher savings achievable with a higher
fchill,ADS 0.724 0.715 0.756 e
radiation with respect to Naples. However, SPB without incentives
fchill,HP 0.276 0.285 0.244 e
Jtot 1.41Eþ03 1.52Eþ03 9.39Eþ02 V/year
remains high (more than 15 years). Finally, the low savings ach-
CPS,tot 2.71Eþ04 2.71Eþ04 2.71Eþ04 V ieved by the system in Milan implies a very high SPB period, even
SPB 16.26 15.06 24.43 years when a capital investment subsidy of 50% is considered. Thus, this
SPBca 8.13 7.53 12.22 years kind of system is not economically feasible in climatic conditions
similar to those of the city of Milan, where the heat demand is high
device. Furthermore, yearly demand of DHW in the building is and the solar irradiation is low. In fact, for such city the simple
covered by more than 50% by the solar collectors in Naples and geothermal heat pump, coupled with the aquifer, represents the
Palermo, conversely in Milan the solar contribution to the DHW most favorable option.
demand is only about 30%. The high utilization factor of the avail-
able solar energy all over the year leads to a significant primary 5.5. Parametric analysis
energy saving (PE), equal to 14.3 MWh/year in the base case study.
The main performance and economic parameters of the pro- A parametric analysis was also developed, in order to complete
posed system are summarized in Table 8. the study of the proposed system. In particular, the sensitivity of the
PVT thermal efficiency (hth,PVT), calculated with respect to the performance on the most significant design variables and/or
total solar radiation, is between 37 and 39% for the three localities. boundary conditions was analyzed, when all the remaining pa-
The efficiency is higher in Naples and Palermo because the average rameters remain fixed. The following parameters were chosen on
ambient temperature is higher compared to Milan, thus the ther- order to perform the parametric analysis: PVT field area (APVT), TK1
mal losses of the PVT collectors are lower. The low set point tem- tank specific volume per unit of PVT area (Vtank,PVT), flow rate of P1
peratures of the PVT collectors (30  C, 55  C and 70  C, depending pump per unit of PVT, area (qP1), set point temperature of PVT in
on the operating conditions) leads to an electrical efficiency more winter (Tset,PVT,wint), set point temperature of PVT in summer
than 10%. The electric efficiency is higher in Milan with respect to (Tset,PVT,summ), TK1 set point temperature in winter (Tset,TK1,wint),
Naples and Palermo due to a lower average PVT collector temper- TK1 set point temperature in summer (Tset,TK1,summ), TK3 set point
ature related to colder climatic conditions. This trend is opposite temperature in winter (Tset,TK3,wint), TK3 set point temperature in
with respect to the one shown for the thermal efficiency. Further- summer (Tset,TK3,summ). The most important design parameter of a
more, the total energy efficiency of the PVT system oscillates from solar system is the field area, such parameter is related to the en-
47 to 49% for the three cities used in the simulation. ergy production. This is outlined in Fig. 13. Here, the thermal and
Moreover, Table 8 also reports TK1, TK2 and HE solar utilization electric energy flows produced by the solar field and the primary
factors (fTK1, fTK2 and fHE). Solar energy produced in the year is energy savings are directly proportional to the solar collector area.
mainly supplied to TK1, in order to supply HP and ADS in winter and The graph also shows the solar thermal energy supplied by TK1,
summer, respectively. For the base case, the energy dissipated by TK2 and dissipated by HE. The amount of solar heat delivered to the
HE is lower than 9%. This percentage is higher in Palermo due to tank TK1 and TK2 is almost constant for PVT area higher than
higher irradiation in summer period and lower in Milan due to the 40 m2. Only a slight increase is detected. Thus, for PVT area higher
lower availability of solar energy source. Considering the thermal than 40 m2 a maximum utilization of solar thermal heat is achieved
losses and the heat dissipated by HE, more than 80% of the solar by the system. Furthermore, only a slight increase of the thermal
thermal energy produced by PVT collectors is supplied by TK1 and energy supplied by TK1 to HP is reported for PVT area from 10 to
TK2, for all the localities. Furthermore, the space cooling demand is 30 m2, over this last value the energy supplied is almost constant.
mainly supplied by the adsorption chiller. In fact, the utilization This occurs because the energy required on the source side of HP in
factor of ADS is higher than 70% in all the locations considered. winter is already satisfied even in case of low PVT area. Moreover,
The yearly mean COP of the water-to-water heat pump for space the thermal energy supplied to the hot side of ADS (QADS,hot) in-
heating (COPHP,heat) is above 4, for Naples and Palermo. This is due creases significantly only from 10 to 40 m2, for higher values of PVT
to the TK1 top temperature, that is relatively high (20e25  C) when area the energy supplied is almost constant. It is worth noting that
the HP source side is supplied in the heating season. It is worth the energy dissipated by HE increases proportionally for PVT area
noting that the COP of the reversible heat pump is relatively low higher than 40 m2, assuming the same trend of the thermal energy
(2.835) in the operational conditions of Milan, because in winter produced by PVT collectors. Therefore, over this threshold, solar
solar irradiation is scarce in order to maintain TK1 top temperature energy supplied by TK1 and TK2 is constant and the thermal energy
within the fixed optimal deadbands. In the summer period, the COP produced by the system is mainly dissipated. Thus, there is no
of the same HP, operating as a chiller, (COPHP,chill) is above 5, due to energetic convenience to increase the PVT area to values higher
operation of the aquifer well that supplies cooling water to the than 40 m2.
source side of HP. Moreover, the COP of the adsorption chiller The variations of the main system energetic and economic
(COPADS) is near the nominal one (0.60), for all the locations. This performance parameters as a function of the PVT area are shown in
occurs because the hot side inlet temperature of ADS in summer is Fig. 14. Thermal efficiency is sensitive to the PVT area: higher
maintained mostly between 60 and 65  C, for a proper performance thermal efficiency for lower PVT field sizes would be achieved, due
of the thermally powered chiller. to the lower mean temperature of the SCF entering the collectors.
 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366 361

Fig. 13. Parametric analysis: energies, solar collector area.

Fig. 14. Parametric analysis: efficiency and economic parameters, solar collector area.

On the contrary, the electric efficiency is scarcely sensible to the
PVT field size: only a slight decrease can be observed, due to the
increase of the mean PVT inlet temperature with a PVT area
increment.
In Fig. 14, the previously defined solar utilization factors
(referred to TK1, TK2 and HE), are also shown. An increase of the
PVT area implies a lower solar energy utilization factor for TK1. This
is due to a constant space heating and cooling demand and to a
consequent constant solar heat supplied by TK1 for higher PVT area.
For TK2 tank, such factor rapidly moving from 10 m2 to 30 m2; then,
a decrease rate appears. This one for a PVT area higher than 40 m2
becomes almost constant, since DHW is almost completely sup-
plied by the solar thermal energy. Moreover, the increase of ther-
mal energy produced by the PVT collectors and not utilized by the
building (see Fig. 13), determines an increase of the solar utilization
factor related to the heat dissipation by HE.
Furthermore, the COP related to HP heating mode increases for
larger PVT solar fields, due to TK1 higher average temperature. In
particular, a significant increase from 10 to 40 m2 is reported.
Obviously, COP of HP in chilling mode is not reported, because it is
independent of the field size, only depending on the operation of
the aquifer well. Moreover, the COP of the adsorption chiller is

Fig. 15. Parametric analysis: energies, specific TK1 volume.

362 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366
almost constant at different PVT area values, due to the constant
operation conditions of the thermally driven chiller (optimal inlet
hot side temperature) ensured by the control system.
Fig. 14 shows the Simple Pay-back period, SPB. In particular, the
minimum SPB is obtained for a PVT area of 30 m2. However, in that
case SPB is too high (about 15 years) and the system is not
economically profitable. In case of a capital investment subsidy of
50%, this value is halved.
Fig. 15 shows the parametric analysis as a function of the ratio
between TK1 volume and PVT area. As a consequence, an increase
of this parameter determines a corresponding increase of the solar
thermal storage capacity of TK1. Results show that this parameter
scarcely affects the energy flows involved in the system. It is worth
noting that the thermal energy produced by the PVT field decreases
in case of higher values of this parameter, due to a higher PVT inlet
temperature. In particular, this is due to a larger energy supply from
SCF to PVT field by TK1; TK1 mean bottom temperature is higher
compared to the TK2 internal heat exchanger outlet one. In fact, the
produced PVT electric energy also decreases with higher PVT area.
Moreover, the solar energy supplied by TK2 decreases due to the
higher thermal energy supplied to TK1 and to the lower PVT ther-
mal output, both achieved for TK1 volume increment. Results show
that both electrical and thermal efficiencies of the PVT are scarcely
sensitive to the increase of TK1 volumes (Fig. 16). According to the
energy flows reported in Fig. 15, TK1 solar utilization factor in-
creases. Thus, the utilization factor of ADS increases too. As a
consequence, HP utilization for space cooling decreases. Further-
more, as shown in Fig. 16, the COP of the heat pump heating mode is
almost constant at TK1 specific volume area higher than 50 l/m2,
only a slightly decrease is detected for lower TK1 specific volumes.
This is due to the lower storage capacity of TK1 that causes a lower
temperature of the tank in case of low radiation. Furthermore, SPB
period increases linearly with the increase of TK1 volume, due to
the increase of the capital cost along with a decrease of the pro-
duced thermal and electric energy.
In addition, the performance of the system as a function of the
specific flow rate of P1 pump was analyzed. The results show that
the system performance is scarcely affected by the variation of this
parameter over 25 kg/(h m2). Moreover, the heat dissipated by HE
increases for low specific flow rates of P1 (lover than 20 kg/(h m2)),
due to the recurrent high PVT peak outlet temperature. The para-
metric analysis plots as a function of the specific flow rate of P1 are
omitted for sake of brevity.
Moreover, Table 9 shows that system performance is almost
independent with respect to the variation of set point temperatures
of PVT, TK1 and TK3, in winter and summer. It is only shown that
COP of HP is higher for higher set point temperatures of TK1 in
Fig. 16. Parametric analysis: efficiency and economic parameters, specific TK1 volume.
winter. Conversely, COP of the adsorption chiller decreases for
higher TK1 set point temperatures in summer, according to the data
sheet of the producer. Moreover, SPB period is sensitive to the
summer TK3 set point temperature decrease; this is due to the
lower solar heat supplied to TK2. As a consequence, lower savings
by the solar production of DHW are achieved for lower TK3 set
point temperature.
5.6. Thermoeconomic optimization
In order to complete the study, a thermo-economic optimi-
zation of the case study for the city of Naples is also performed.
The analysis was implemented using TRNOPT plug-in tool
included in TRNSYS package, where complex mathematical al-
gorithms are adopted in order to perform the optimization.
TRNOPT tool is designed to link the optimization algorithm and
the dynamic simulation. In particular, this tool uses the algo-
rithms included in the GENOPT package developed by Lawrence
Berkeley National Laboratory [85]. For this analysis, the Gener-
alized Search Method was used for the optimization process. The
performed method avoids the calculation of partial derivatives in
the optimal value calculation procedure. In particular, the Hoo-
keeJeeves [86] modified algorithm was performed. The structure
of this algorithm avoids the achievement of local minimum
points and takes into account the TRNSYS solving technique for
the approximation of the objective function. This robust opti-
mization method allows one to perform realistic computational
times and to obtain the optimum value in a relatively low
number of simulations.
The optimization was performed considering only the main
design variables, namely: PVT field area, TK1 specific volume, TK3
volume and TK1 winter/summer set point temperatures. Moreover,
the SPB was selected as optimization objective function. Fig. 17
shows SPB and independent variables as a function of optimiza-
tion iteration. The optimization process converged in about 100
iterations. Results of the thermo-economic optimization are
consistent with the ones obtained by the sensitivity analysis. The
optimum SPB value of 14.38 years is obtained for a PVT area of
24.25 m2, TK1 specific volume of 50.00 l/m2, TK1 winter and
summer set-point temperature of 20.00 and 65.00  C, respectively,
and a TK3 volume of 1.00 m3. Note that in Fig. 17, the TK3 volume
optimization variable is not reported because during the optimi-
zation process the variation of such parameter is negligible.
Moreover, it is worth noting that, the optimization algorithm was
performed limiting the lower value of TK1 specific volume to
50.00 l/m2 in order to limit the number of on/off events of the solar
loop.
 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366 363

Table 9
Parametric analysis: efficiency and economic parameters vs set point temperatures.

Parameter

hth,PVT hel,PVT fTK1 fTK2 fHE1 fADS fHP COPHP,heat COPADS SPB SPBcis

Tset,PVT,wint 30 0.387 0.105 0.466 0.365 0.088 0.723 0.277 4.21 0.545 16.3 8.13
32 0.387 0.105 0.465 0.366 0.088 0.720 0.280 4.21 0.544 16.2 8.12
34 0.387 0.105 0.464 0.367 0.088 0.720 0.280 4.20 0.544 16.2 8.12
36 0.387 0.105 0.464 0.366 0.088 0.720 0.280 4.20 0.544 16.2 8.12
38 0.387 0.105 0.464 0.367 0.088 0.720 0.280 4.20 0.544 16.2 8.12
40 0.387 0.105 0.464 0.368 0.088 0.720 0.280 4.19 0.544 16.2 8.11
Tset,PVT,summ 70 0.387 0.105 0.466 0.365 0.088 0.723 0.277 4.21 0.545 16.3 8.13
72 0.384 0.105 0.468 0.367 0.084 0.723 0.277 4.21 0.545 16.3 8.14
74 0.384 0.105 0.469 0.366 0.080 0.726 0.274 4.21 0.547 16.3 8.15
76 0.382 0.105 0.471 0.371 0.075 0.720 0.280 4.21 0.546 16.3 8.14
78 0.379 0.105 0.477 0.372 0.071 0.725 0.275 4.21 0.548 16.3 8.15
80 0.379 0.105 0.473 0.376 0.067 0.719 0.281 4.21 0.549 16.3 8.13
Tset,TK1,wint 25 0.387 0.105 0.466 0.365 0.088 0.723 0.277 4.21 0.545 16.3 8.13
26 0.387 0.105 0.466 0.363 0.087 0.721 0.279 4.26 0.545 16.3 8.14
27 0.387 0.105 0.466 0.361 0.087 0.716 0.284 4.31 0.545 16.3 8.15
28 0.387 0.105 0.469 0.357 0.087 0.722 0.278 4.35 0.545 16.3 8.17
29 0.387 0.105 0.471 0.354 0.087 0.722 0.278 4.40 0.545 16.4 8.19
30 0.387 0.105 0.472 0.351 0.086 0.723 0.277 4.44 0.545 16.4 8.21
Tset,TK1,summ 65 0.387 0.105 0.466 0.365 0.088 0.723 0.277 4.21 0.545 16.3 8.13
66 0.384 0.105 0.484 0.344 0.086 0.753 0.247 4.21 0.542 16.6 8.30
67 0.382 0.105 0.497 0.337 0.084 0.768 0.232 4.22 0.537 16.7 8.37
68 0.379 0.105 0.506 0.326 0.080 0.776 0.224 4.21 0.533 17.0 8.48
69 0.376 0.105 0.512 0.322 0.079 0.779 0.221 4.21 0.534 17.1 8.54
70 0.373 0.105 0.516 0.322 0.076 0.781 0.219 4.22 0.535 17.1 8.56
Tset,TK3,wint 45 0.382 0.105 0.471 0.372 0.077 0.721 0.279 4.37 0.546 16.2 8.11
46 0.382 0.105 0.471 0.372 0.077 0.722 0.278 4.30 0.548 16.2 8.12
47 0.382 0.105 0.473 0.369 0.077 0.723 0.277 4.21 0.545 16.3 8.15
48 0.382 0.105 0.471 0.372 0.077 0.718 0.282 4.14 0.547 16.3 8.14
49 0.382 0.105 0.474 0.368 0.077 0.725 0.275 4.05 0.547 16.3 8.17
50 0.382 0.105 0.473 0.371 0.077 0.722 0.278 3.97 0.548 16.3 8.16
Tset,TK3,summ 10 0.379 0.105 0.533 0.312 0.074 0.788 0.212 4.22 0.525 17.8 8.88
11 0.382 0.105 0.513 0.333 0.075 0.781 0.219 4.21 0.527 16.9 8.45
12 0.384 0.105 0.498 0.341 0.077 0.769 0.231 4.21 0.532 16.7 8.33
13 0.384 0.105 0.482 0.356 0.077 0.738 0.262 4.21 0.537 16.4 8.22
14 0.382 0.105 0.473 0.369 0.077 0.723 0.277 4.21 0.545 16.3 8.15
15 0.382 0.105 0.461 0.381 0.078 0.716 0.284 4.21 0.561 16.1 8.06

Fig. 17. Thermo-economic optimization: SPB objective function and optimization variables.

6. Conclusion assisted heat pump, in winter, and the adsorption chiller, in

The dynamic simulation model of a trigeneration system
including a solar-assisted heat pump coupled with an adsorption
chiller is presented. In particular, the system under investigation
is based on a PVT collector field coupled with a reversible heat
pump and a zeolite adsorption chiller. The electric energy pro-
duced by the PVT field is totally consumed by the system users,
while the thermal energy is used primarily to supply the solar
summer, and secondarily to produce DHW. A base case study was
developed and discussed, referred to a building located in Naples,
in the South of Italy.
The results of the dynamic simulation showed that:
- PVT thermal energy is fluctuating due to the external radiation
and temperature, thus an auxiliary system is always mandatory
in order to satisfy the DHW and space cooling demand;
364 F. Calise et al. / Energy 95 (2016) 346e366

- in summer period, the combination of PVT and an adsorption load referred to the load side of heat pump
chiller allows one to maximize the utilization of the solar energy NG natural gas
because no thermal energy produced by the PVT is dissipated; op operational
- the utilization of the produced solar thermal energy is about out output
83%; PS proposed system
- the space heating demand is entirely supplied with the solar pump referred to pump
assisted heat pump, and the cooling demand is supplied by PV photovoltaic
higher than 70% by the adsorption chiller for the base case PVT PVT solar collectors
study; ref reference condition
- the system energetic and economic performance is better in rej rejected
localities with high irradiance availability, as Naples and RS reference system
Palermo; source referred to the source side of heat pump
- the system may is not profitable without public incentive (SPB tank tank
higher than 16 years), became profitable with capital invest- th thermal
ment subsidy of 50%. TK1 referred to TK1 tank
- for the base case, the system optimal performance in terms of TK2 referred to TK2 tank
economic profitability is achieved with a collector area of tot total
24.25 m2;
- the system performance is scarcely dependent on the set point References
temperatures of the PVT collectors, solar storage tank and in-
ertial tank of the hydronic system. [1] Calise F, D'Accadia MD, Vanoli L. Thermoeconomic optimization of solar
heating and cooling systems. Energy Convers Manag 2011;52(2):1562e73.
[2] Calise F, Capuozzo C, Carotenuto A, Vanoli L. Thermoeconomic analysis and
Nomenclature off-design performance of an organic Rankine cycle powered by medium-
temperature heat sources. Sol Energy 2014;103:595e609.
[3] Calise F, Capuano D, Vanoli L. Dynamic simulation and exergo-economic
A area, m2
optimization of a hybrid solar-geothermal cogeneration plant. Energies
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