Dynamic Simulation of Solar-assisted Air-source Dual-load Heat Pump System for Building Space Heating and Cooling
Abstract
The adoption of renewable energy systems, particularly solar photovoltaics, in the built environment is vital for achieving global net-zero emission goals. However, mismatches between generation and demand often lead to wasted surplus electricity or export to the grid, risking instability. Converting excess electricity into heat using an air-source dual-load heat pump (ASDLHP) integrated with underground thermal energy storage offers a solution. This study examined a solar-assisted ASDLHP integrated with underground thermal storage for inter-seasonal space heating and cooling application, incorporating simple control strategies to preheat source air and prevent frost-related performance losses. Simulations for an institutional building with 2,500 m² of rooftop solar showed a 25% increase in the seasonal coefficient of performance, 9% seasonal energy efficiency ratio, and 20% overall energy savings compared with a conventional system. The system maintained indoor comfort year-round while effectively utilising surplus solar power.
Keywords
Solar photovoltaic, Solar-assited heat pump, Dual-load heat pump, Heating and Cooling, Solar thermal.