New solar heating and cooling system
The www.coolsunsystem.eu (COOLSUN) project was established to develop a single solar thermal system for heating and cooling the interior of buildings and providing hot water. It is based on vacuum solar collectors, which feature direct circulation of a dedicated thermo-fluid heated up to 150 degrees centigrade, thermal storage tanks and an intelligent control unit. The control system responds to the user's needs in real time by utilising solar energy either directly from the solar collectors or from the storage tanks, thereby optimising use. Researchers will also design a state-of-the-art adsorption chiller that utilises heat from the chiller's re-cooling circuit and can easily switch from heating to cooling without requiring a wet re-cooling tower. COOLSUN will conduct field trials for a prototype built from off-the-shelf components in a building in south-west France to assess cost-effectiveness and viability of solar thermal autonomy. The project will also deliver two handbooks for field workers such as installers and maintenance operators. These will be distributed with training courses. Benefits associated with the COOLSUN system will include its ability to reduce peak loads on electricity grids as it consumes a very limited amount of electrical power. By working in a closed loop and not using wet cooling towers, COOLSUN also eliminates the risk of contamination from the potentially lethal Legionella bacteria. The COOLSUN project therefore combines sanitary water heating as well as space heating and cooling in a single integrated system utilising solar power. In line with EU objectives, successful commercialisation of this product would reduce dependence on fossil fuels and the associated emission of greenhouse gases.
