Performance Assessment of Solar Absorption Cooling for Ontario Housing

Residential energy consumption from space-cooling has more than doubled in Canada in the last two decades, and accounts for a large portion of summer electricity usage peaks. Presently, the most common space-cooling technology in use is electrically driven vapour compression systems. These systems place a large strain on the central electricity system. Furthermore, the marginal power required to supply space-cooling is often supplied by non-renewable sources of energy, such as coal and natural gas. Solar thermal energy can be used as the driving source for a residential absorption cooling system, removing the bulk of the energy demand of the cooling system from the electricity grid while continuing to provide comfortable living conditions. In order to assess the suitability of solar absorption cooling for residential space-cooling in Ontario (Canada), simulations of the thermal and electrical performance of the technology have been completed. The goal of the research is to determine whether a solar absorption cooling system could meet the cooling loads of typical Ontario single, detached houses given the climate and housing characteristics of the region.;A control function was created in ESP-r to provide added flexibility in the execution of the plant system. Models of typical Ontario houses were selected for building performance simulation in conjunction with the plant model, and different system strategies and climates, using ESP-r. The simulations of the solar absorption cooling system demonstrate that the application of the technology is feasible for cooling Ontario houses, and results in significant reduction of residential greenhouse gas emissions.;A TRNSYS model was constructed to dimension key system components. Two custom Types were created for this model: a controller and an absorption chiller. The size of the solar thermal array and the volumes of the hot and cold stores were established based upon a series of sensitivity analyses. Following this, an ESP-r model was configured to represent the entire energy system: the house, the occupant electrical loads, the solar thermal collectors, absorption chiller, hot and cold stores, and all ancillary equipment. To meet the goals of this research progamme it was necessary to develop a calibrated model of an absorption chiller suitable for building performance simulation. A set of experimentally acquired absorption chiller performance data has been used to calibrate an absorption chiller model in ESP-r.