LAUSR

Abstract The energy saving of solar absorption-subcooled compression hybrid cooling system (SASCHCS) for cold storages is dramatically lower than its upper limit. Such phenomenon is attributed to that heat capacities of subcoolers are too small to guarantee the reliable operation of large size absorption subsystems. The cool energy buffer is employed to address above-mentioned issues. In this regard, appropriate design guidelines are highly important because the cool energy buffer inevitably leads to losses of solar cooling power and increases the capital cost. As a result, three layouts, traditional SASCHCS, SASCHCS with the cool energy buffer including and excluding the shift of solar cooling power, are compared technically and financially based on the 8760 h annual simulation and the parametric analysis of the best layout is implemented. Finally, three layouts are optimized by the genetic algorithm. It is displayed that the SASCHCS with the cool energy buffer excluding the shift of solar cooling power is the best and 11.4% of compressor work is saved. Additionally, its least payback period is 4.69 y and the maximal net present value is 2.88 million CNY, respectively. The proposed layout can be connected with photovoltaic thermal collectors and solar power plants for trigeneration purpose.