ShareSolar perspectives for cooling in the Gulf
Air conditioning is claimed to account for 60% of the energy consumption in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and various options for lowering the air-conditioning energy demand are being considered.
Air conditioning is claimed to account for 60% of the energy consumption in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and various options for lowering the air-conditioning energy demand are being considered. Given the availability of solar energy in these areas, solar cooling is a logical option even though this type of application and related research remain very limited compared with the cooling needs and population growth.
Solar absorption cooling is increasingly attracting attention, in particular hot-water driven absorption chillers and innovations such as motorized mirrors tracking the sun. The Qatar-2022 showcase stadium uses cutting-edge solar heat collectors and motorized mirrors.
In order to compensate for the low efficiency figures of solar absorption cooling (COP of 0.7-1.2) vs. conventional air conditioning (COP 3-6), the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) is developing locally an innovative combined solar cooling and power generation system using concentrated solar power and a novel heat exchanger consisting in thermoelectric generators capable of converting heat directly into electrical power. The high-grade thermal energy then drives a compact absorption chilled water cooling system while the low grade thermal energy is used for desiccant cooling and dehumidification using seawater.
Use of desiccant technology is also rising. It uses a hygroscopic liquid to dehumidify the air in order to increase comfort value. GORD is currently studying a solar-based desiccant system, suitable for domestic and commercial applications, that is soon to be installed and tested in a demonstration house. Sizes and costs of desiccant-cooling equipment tend to be decreasing currently which should lead to its wider acceptance over time.
Gulf Times, November 22, 2012
Solar absorption cooling is increasingly attracting attention, in particular hot-water driven absorption chillers and innovations such as motorized mirrors tracking the sun. The Qatar-2022 showcase stadium uses cutting-edge solar heat collectors and motorized mirrors.
In order to compensate for the low efficiency figures of solar absorption cooling (COP of 0.7-1.2) vs. conventional air conditioning (COP 3-6), the Gulf Organisation for Research and Development (GORD) is developing locally an innovative combined solar cooling and power generation system using concentrated solar power and a novel heat exchanger consisting in thermoelectric generators capable of converting heat directly into electrical power. The high-grade thermal energy then drives a compact absorption chilled water cooling system while the low grade thermal energy is used for desiccant cooling and dehumidification using seawater.
Use of desiccant technology is also rising. It uses a hygroscopic liquid to dehumidify the air in order to increase comfort value. GORD is currently studying a solar-based desiccant system, suitable for domestic and commercial applications, that is soon to be installed and tested in a demonstration house. Sizes and costs of desiccant-cooling equipment tend to be decreasing currently which should lead to its wider acceptance over time.
Gulf Times, November 22, 2012