Journal Home > Volume 10 , Issue 1
Building Simulation 2017, 10(1): 87-96 https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-016-0315-2
Research Article | Issue | Published: 25 August 2016

Investigation and modelling of the centralized solar domestic hot water system in residential buildings

Show Author's Information Xiaohang Feng1,  Da Yan1( ),  Rui Yu2,  Yan Gao2
Department of Building Science, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
School of Environment and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing 100044, China
Keywords:
energy efficiency, energy consumption, occupant behavior, solar energy, domestic hot water
Cite this article:
Feng X, Yan D, Yu R, et al. Investigation and modelling of the centralized solar domestic hot water system in residential buildings. Building Simulation, 2017, 10(1): 87-96. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-016-0315-2
Download citation
EndNote(RIS)
BibTeX

363

Views

17

Downloads

Citations

12

Crossref

N/A

WoS

10

Scopus

0

CSCD

Abstract Full text About this article

The solar domestic hot water (DHW) system is applied as a building energy saving technique. The centralized system, which is considered to provide both energy efficiency by exploiting solar energy and high-level services to the customers as the occupants could have access to the hot water at any time during the day, is widely used among the various forms of solar DHW systems. The real performance of a centralized solar DHW system is measured, based on which a model describing the solar energy collection, water supply, and terminal water use is built. The simulation reveals that the actual energy performance of the centralized DHW system is closely related with the occupant behaviour, i.e., the water use patterns of the occupants residing in a building. This study concluded that whether the DHW system is energy efficient or not could not be evaluated without considering the water use patterns of the occupants.


menu
Abstract
Full text
Outline
About this article

Investigation and modelling of the centralized solar domestic hot water system in residential buildings

Show Author's information Xiaohang Feng1, Da Yan1( ), Rui Yu2, Yan Gao2
Department of Building Science, School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
School of Environment and Energy Engineering, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Beijing 100044, China

Abstract

The solar domestic hot water (DHW) system is applied as a building energy saving technique. The centralized system, which is considered to provide both energy efficiency by exploiting solar energy and high-level services to the customers as the occupants could have access to the hot water at any time during the day, is widely used among the various forms of solar DHW systems. The real performance of a centralized solar DHW system is measured, based on which a model describing the solar energy collection, water supply, and terminal water use is built. The simulation reveals that the actual energy performance of the centralized DHW system is closely related with the occupant behaviour, i.e., the water use patterns of the occupants residing in a building. This study concluded that whether the DHW system is energy efficient or not could not be evaluated without considering the water use patterns of the occupants.

Keywords: energy efficiency, energy consumption, occupant behavior, solar energy, domestic hot water

References(22)

O Abdelhak, H Mhiri, P Bournot (2015). CFD analysis of thermal stratification in domestic hot water storage tank during dynamic mode. Building Simulation, 8: 421–429.
DOI Google Scholar
H Bloem, B Atanasiu (2006). Reducing electricity consumption for water heating in the domestic sector. In: Proceedings of 4th International Conference on Energy Efficiency in Domestic Appliances and Lighting (EEDAL’06).
X Cao, Z Ren (2001). Heat Transfer Theory, 4th edn. Beijing: China Architecture & Building Press. (in Chinese)
AR Carrico, M Riemer (2011). Motivating energy conservation in the workplace: An evaluation of the use of group-level feedback and peer education. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 31: 1–13.
DOI Google Scholar
China Academy of Building Research (2006). GJBT-960. Selection and Installation of the Centralized Solar Domestic Hot Water System. Beijing: China Planning Press. (in Chinese)
TT Chow, KF Fong, ALS Chan, Z Lin (2006). Potential application of a centralized solar water-heating system for a high-rise residential building in Hong Kong. Applied Energy, 83: 42–54.
DOI Google Scholar
G Deng, D Yan, J An, R Yu, Y Jian, Y Zhang, Y Gao (2014). Research on the current situation and energy modelling of the centralized domestic hot water system in residential buildings. Water Supply and Sewerage, 7: 149–157.
Google Scholar
A Gastli, Y Charabi (2011). Solar water heating initiative in Oman energy saving and carbon credits. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15: 1851–1856.
DOI Google Scholar
K Golić, V Kosorić, AK Furundžić (2011). General model of solar water heating system integration in residential building refurbishment— Potential energy savings and environmental impact. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 15: 1533–1544.
DOI Google Scholar
J Han, AP Mol, Y Lu (2010). Solar water heaters in China: A new day dawning. Energy Policy, 38: 383–391.
DOI Google Scholar
T Hong, SC Taylor-Lange, S D’Oca, D Yan, SP Corgnati (2015). Advances in research and applications of energy-related occupant behavior in buildings. Energy and Buildings, 116: 694–702.
DOI Google Scholar
Y Jiang, X Yang, Y Zhu, et al. (2013). Annual Report on the Development of Building Energy Efficiency in China. Beijing: China Architecture & Building Press. (in Chinese)
W Li, G Song, M Beresford, B Ma (2011). China’s transition to green energy systems: The economics of home solar water heaters and their popularization in Dezhou city. Energy Policy, 39: 5909–5919.
DOI Google Scholar
E Mathioulakis, V Belessiotis (2002). A new heat-pipe type solar domestic hot water system. Solar Energy, 72: 13–20.
DOI Google Scholar
M Mazman, LF Cabeza, H Mehling, M Nogues, H Evliya, HÖ Paksoy (2009). Utilization of phase change materials in solar domestic hot water systems. Renewable Energy, 34: 1639–1643.
DOI Google Scholar
MDC Rodríguez-Hidalgo, PA Rodríguez-Aumente, A Lecuona, M Legrand, R Ventas (2012). Domestic hot water consumption vs. solar thermal energy storage: The optimum size of the storage tank. Applied Energy, 97: 897–906.
DOI Google Scholar
A Roetzel (2015). Occupant behaviour simulation for cellular offices in early design stages—Architecture and modelling considerations. Building Simulation, 8: 211–224.
DOI Google Scholar
D Yan, W O’Brien, T Hong, X Feng, HB Gunay, F Tahmasebi, A Mahdavi (2015). Occupant behavior modeling for building performance simulation: current state and future challenges. Energy and Buildings, 107: 264–278.
DOI Google Scholar
D Yan, J Xia, W Tang, F Song, X Zhang, Y Jiang (2008). DeST—An integrated building simulation toolkit Part I: Fundamentals. Building Simulation, 1: 95–110.
DOI Google Scholar
K Yliniemi, J Delsing, J van Deventer (2009). Experimental verification of a method for estimating energy for domestic hot water production in a 2-stage district heating substation. Energy and Buildings, 41: 169–174.
DOI Google Scholar
X Zhao, X Bi, G Wang (2008). An analysis of the economic benefits of solar water heaters in Jinan. Journal of Shandong Jianzhu University, 23: 186–188. (in Chinese)
Google Scholar
J Zhong, L Zhang, S He (2007). A research of utilization of solar energy hot water for residential buildings. Housing Science, 27(8): 6–11.
Google Scholar
Publication history
Copyright
Acknowledgements

Publication history

Received: 31 January 2016
Revised: 19 July 2016
Accepted: 25 July 2016
Published: 25 August 2016
Issue date: February 2017

Copyright

© Tsinghua University Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2016

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by Beijing Natural Science Foundation (No. 842022) and Innovative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51521005).

Return