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Optimizing Large-Scale Solar Field Efficiency: Latvia Case Study

Author

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  • Ilze Polikarpova

    (Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, Azenes Street 12/1, LV-1050 Riga, Latvia)

  • Roberts Kakis

    (Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, Azenes Street 12/1, LV-1050 Riga, Latvia)

  • Ieva Pakere

    (Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, Azenes Street 12/1, LV-1050 Riga, Latvia)

  • Dagnija Blumberga

    (Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Riga Technical University, Azenes Street 12/1, LV-1050 Riga, Latvia)

Abstract

Solar energy transformation technologies are increasingly being used worldwide in the district heating sector. In the Baltic states, only one district heating company has implemented a large-scale solar collector field into its thermal energy production system, which is analyzed within this research. In this study, we analyzed the first year operation of the solar field, solar collector efficiency, and several influencing factors, i.e., ambient air temperature, heat carrier flow, and the temperature difference between the supply and return heat carrier temperatures. The study includes collecting and compilation of the data, analyzing influencing factors, and data analysis using the statistical analysis method. In addition, the research presents a simplified multi-regression model based on the actual performance of a large-scale solar field, which allows for forecasting the efficiency of solar collectors by taking into account the main operational parameters of the DH system. The results show that solar energy covers around 90% of the summer heat load of a particular district heating system. However, they also show room for improvements in producing all the necessary heat in the summer using solar energy. The regression analyses show that the most significant correlation between all parameters examined was obtained in May, reaching R 2 = 0.9346 in solar field efficiency evaluation. This is due to several suitable conditions for solar energy production, i.e., placing solar collectors at an angle for them to be the most productive, having enough space in the storage tank, and the demand for thermal energy being still higher than in the summer months.

Suggested Citation

  • Ilze Polikarpova & Roberts Kakis & Ieva Pakere & Dagnija Blumberga, 2021. "Optimizing Large-Scale Solar Field Efficiency: Latvia Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:14:p:4171-:d:591963
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mäki, Elina & Kannari, Lotta & Hannula, Ilkka & Shemeikka, Jari, 2021. "Decarbonization of a district heating system with a combination of solar heat and bioenergy: A techno-economic case study in the Northern European context," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 1174-1199.
    2. Lund, Henrik & Werner, Sven & Wiltshire, Robin & Svendsen, Svend & Thorsen, Jan Eric & Hvelplund, Frede & Mathiesen, Brian Vad, 2014. "4th Generation District Heating (4GDH)," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 1-11.
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    6. Tschopp, Daniel & Tian, Zhiyong & Berberich, Magdalena & Fan, Jianhua & Perers, Bengt & Furbo, Simon, 2020. "Large-scale solar thermal systems in leading countries: A review and comparative study of Denmark, China, Germany and Austria," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    7. Soloha, Raimonda & Pakere, Ieva & Blumberga, Dagnija, 2017. "Solar energy use in district heating systems. A case study in Latvia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 586-594.
    8. Wojcicki, David James, 2015. "The application of the Typical Day Concept in flat plate solar collector models," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 968-974.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ieva Pakere & Armands Gravelsins & Girts Bohvalovs & Liga Rozentale & Dagnija Blumberga, 2021. "Will Aggregator Reduce Renewable Power Surpluses? A System Dynamics Approach for the Latvia Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-21, November.
    2. Ieva Pakere & Dagnija Blumberga & Anna Volkova & Kertu Lepiksaar & Agate Zirne, 2023. "Valorisation of Waste Heat in Existing and Future District Heating Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-22, September.
    3. Volkova, A. & Koduvere, H. & Pieper, H., 2022. "Large-scale heat pumps for district heating systems in the Baltics: Potential and impact," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    4. Pakere, Ieva & Feofilovs, Maksims & Lepiksaar, Kertu & Vītoliņš, Valdis & Blumberga, Dagnija, 2023. "Multi-source district heating system full decarbonization strategies: Technical, economic, and environmental assessment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).

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