Multi-objective study on an innovative system for domestic hot water production: A pilot building in Southern Europe

• Published in: Energy and buildings Vol. 293; p. 113181
• Main Authors: Jahanbin, Aminhossein, Valdiserri, Paolo, Semprini, Giovanni
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15.08.2023
• Subjects: Domestic hot water (DHW); Dynamic simulation; Energy storage; Storage tank; User behaviour; Domestic hot water (DHW); Dynamic simulation; User behaviour; Storage tank; Energy storage
• ISSN: 0378-7788
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113181

•An innovative slim decentralised plug-and-play tank is proposed for DHW production.•Model calibration is performed by experimental data in charge/discharge process.•Retrofit solution cuts required annual energy in half of which 82% is RES quota.•Optimised charging scheme reduces the total annual electrical energy by 5.2 %.•A degree increment in draw-off temperature increases annual CO2 emission by 103 kg. The present study deals with a multi-objective analysis of an innovative decentralised system to produce and store domestic hot water (DHW), emphasising on the combined effects of the technological aspect, control strategy and user’s behaviour. The proposed system, by relying on thermal energy storage, decouples energy production and demand while shaves peaks in the energy demand and, at the same time, provides more autonomy to users through local storages. To identify subtle interactions in components of DHW system, dynamic simulations are carried out by establishing a coupled TRNSYS-MATLAB code, calibrated and validated by experimental measurements. The energy analysis implies that the proposed system cuts the required annual electrical energy in half, of which up to 82% of needed primary energy is supplied from renewable sources, compared to previous electrical-decentralised system. The optimisation of the results through applying control strategies indicates that adopting a three-time charging scheme is advantageous in terms of providing a more stable temperature profile as well as a higher hot water temperature. Compared to an available-by-demand operation, this scheme reduces the required total annual electricity by 5.2 % and enhances total thermal loss from components up to 4.0%. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis on the results emphasises the striking role of the user behaviour in electrical energy consumption either via draw-off temperature or adjusting the pre-defined temperature for activation of the built-in auxiliary heater.