SOLAR WATER HEATER SYSTEMS FOR COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

1.1) Background of Study As the human life expands, energy demands are continuously increasing rapidly as the development of the industrial. The main source of the energy used nowadays which is the fossil fuel is extremely limited to deal with the worldwide demand and has been causing series of environmental problems. Thus, the search for alternative green energy resources has been drawing a lot of interest in the research. Solar energy, as the most abundant resources all over the world as reported that amount of solar energy received from Sun every year is reaching to 1×1018 kW.h. It is almost ten thousand times human energy consumption annually [1]. Three forms of solar energy conversion as illustrated in the Figure 1.1, is the electricity, chemical fuel and heat. Mostly, the devices such as thermal collector is used to convert the solar energy into the heat energy for direct use at low temperatures (<300°C)[2]. There also many application in solar thermal which has been utilized to cut down the dependence of human toward fossil fuel in residence by using solar absorber for home appliances uses such as to heat the water . Figure 1: Three forms of solar energy conversion [2] 2 As the prices of all conventional energy sources for heating including oil, natural gas, propane and electricity have been increasingly rapidly over the past decade, the trend of these increment in prices is projected to continue-increasing. So, renewable energy sources are becoming viable in supplying energy to be used in daily life purposes. Several reasons why the renewable energy is viable are they do not require as many ongoing operational costs. In given time, the energy saving it produced can cover for the high initial capital for its system. Nowadays, over one third of energy is used in water heating in US. By using Solar Water Heating Systems, it can supply 60% or more of the required heat to hotel purposes. In ASEAN, Solar Hot Water Heating Systems have started its popularity in energy saving due to its increasing population and concerns for the environmental issue. Solar Hot Water Heating System in Malaysia is not an exception given that Malaysia itself has abundant resources of solar energy throughout the year. Particularly nowadays, Solar Hot Water Heating is installed in commercializes and industrial purposes due to its capability to save energy in heating water. However, the amount of heat produced by the system depends on many factors such as weather condition, solar radiation amounts, system efficiency and hot water draw profile. Thus, a case study in conducted on the viability of the system installed in Ipoh, Malaysia to see whether it is viable enough to installed by comparing the energy saving produced. 3 1.2) Problem Statement In industry purposes, the solar required is much higher energy to be considered cost saving. In Malaysia nowadays, there are plenty of solar manufacturers and system provider for solar system installation mainly for the solar hot water heating systems. The efficiency or the viability of the system installed cannot be justified alone by the manufacture system. The weather data of the particular place and the hot water draw profile must be taken into account.  What is the energy saving that the Solar Hot Water can give in Ipoh (particularly) weather condition (solar radiation amount)? 1.3) Objectives The objective of this study is as stated below: 1. To investigate the energy saving generated in heating water by using the solar water heating system (specifically by Solar Mate Sdn. Bhd) based on real time weather data of Ipoh ( local solar radiation), and hot water draw profile using energy simulation software of TRNSYS. 2. To develop a simulation model using Transient Systems Simulation Program, TRNSYS 3. To optimize the system sizing based on the hot water draw profile of the hotel 1.4) Scope of Study 1. Research on the recent technology system of the solar heating water system and how the system work 2. Study about the climate data for different region in Malaysia 3. The hotel how water draw profile 3. Research on the usage of simulation software TRNSYS capability in simulating the energy saving of solar heating water system in commercial uses 4 1.5) Relevancy of project This study is relevant because from this study, the formation of the precipitation can be observed, and the results can also be used to calculate saving generated by comparing energy generated by the system or reduction in real electricity bills Feasibility of the Project The research work will cover two semesters starting from May 2013 to January 2013 which is sufficient to collect data and analyze the result. This study is planned to be started in FYP II and yes, it can be completed within the time frame as this study do not need complicated preparations, only the study and paper review which can be obtained and accessed by the internet and library in UTP. Lastly, this project can definitely be done within the time frame