IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v331y2025ics0360544225027112.html

Analysis and optimization of the performance of a solar PV/T system integrated with seasonal latent heat storage for decarbonized heating and hot water supply

Author

Listed:
  • Lai, Yang-Yan
  • Yang, Sheng
  • Fan, Li-Wu

Abstract

Incorporation of long-term heat storage in solar heating systems is deemed to be a way to tackle the seasonal mismatch between abundant solar energy in summer and strong heating demand in winter, e.g., in western China. To make up the adaptability of existing implementation of sensible heat storage, here we propose a new type of solar photovoltaic/thermal (PV/T) system integrated with seasonal latent heat storage (SLHS), using a highly-supercooled phase change material (PCM), at an energy-denser and more flexible manner. Starting from the configuration of a demonstration setup built in Hangzhou, China, the thermal performance of this system was studied numerically using TRNSYS. The efficacy of the system, equipped with a 12 m2 PV panel and a PCM-based SLHS unit of 15.6 GJ capacity, was confirmed for being able to supply hot water with daily average of 229 MJ and to maintain the room temperature at ∼20 °C for a 20 m2 heating area during the three-month heating season. Comparative simulations were also conducted for Lhasa, China, which is a representative targeted area. Not surprisingly, running this system in Lhasa can lower the global warming potential by nearly 30 %. With increasing the PV panel size the system can become self-sustained for off-grid users. After optimization of the PV panel size and SLHS unit capacity, the annual average coefficient of performance of the system can be improved by 160 % and the levelized cost of electricity can be reduced to only 0.68 CNY/kWh, showing great potential for practical applications toward decarbonized heating.

Suggested Citation

  • Lai, Yang-Yan & Yang, Sheng & Fan, Li-Wu, 2025. "Analysis and optimization of the performance of a solar PV/T system integrated with seasonal latent heat storage for decarbonized heating and hot water supply," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:331:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225027112
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.137069
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544225027112
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2025.137069?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sheng Yang & Hong-Yi Shi & Jia Liu & Yang-Yan Lai & Özgür Bayer & Li-Wu Fan, 2024. "Supercooled erythritol for high-performance seasonal thermal energy storage," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Del Amo, Alejandro & Martínez-Gracia, Amaya & Bayod-Rújula, Angel A. & Cañada, Marta, 2019. "Performance analysis and experimental validation of a solar-assisted heat pump fed by photovoltaic-thermal collectors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 1214-1223.
    3. Shao, Xue-Feng & Wang, Chao & Yang, Yong-Jian & Feng, Biao & Zhu, Zi-Qin & Wang, Wu-Jun & Zeng, Yi & Fan, Li-Wu, 2018. "Screening of sugar alcohols and their binary eutectic mixtures as phase change materials for low-to-medium temperature latent heat storage. (Ⅰ): Non-isothermal melting and crystallization behaviors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 1078-1090.
    4. Diana Enescu & Gianfranco Chicco & Radu Porumb & George Seritan, 2020. "Thermal Energy Storage for Grid Applications: Current Status and Emerging Trends," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-21, January.
    5. Zhaohua Wang & Hao Li & Bin Zhang & Bo Wang & Hao Li & Xin Tian & Jiang Lin & Wei Feng, 2023. "Unequal residential heating burden caused by combined heat and power phase-out under climate goals," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 8(8), pages 881-890, August.
    6. Michael-Allan Millar & Neil M. Burnside & Zhibin Yu, 2019. "District Heating Challenges for the UK," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-21, January.
    7. Yu Qian Ang & Zachary Michael Berzolla & Samuel Letellier-Duchesne & Christoph F. Reinhart, 2023. "Carbon reduction technology pathways for existing buildings in eight cities," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-16, December.
    8. Ahmed, Ahsan & Nadeem, Talha Bin & Naqvi, Asad A. & Siddiqui, Mubashir Ali & Khan, Muhammad Hamza & Bin Zahid, Muhammad Saad & Ammar, Syed Muhammad, 2022. "Investigation of PV utilizability on university buildings: A case study of Karachi, Pakistan," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 238-251.
    9. Wei, Wenqi & Yue, Han & Huang, Jiguang & Zhang, Heng & Liu, Haowen & Chen, Haiping & Cheng, Chao, 2025. "Performance analysis and optimization of photovoltaic thermal coupled ground source heat pump system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 319(C).
    10. Steven Chu & Arun Majumdar, 2012. "Opportunities and challenges for a sustainable energy future," Nature, Nature, vol. 488(7411), pages 294-303, August.
    11. Zhao, Jinling & Lyu, Lianyi & Li, Xuexin, 2020. "Numerical analysis of the operation regulation in a solar heating system with seasonal water pool thermal storage," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 1118-1126.
    12. Smriti Mallapaty, 2020. "How China could be carbon neutral by mid-century," Nature, Nature, vol. 586(7830), pages 482-483, October.
    13. Chu, Shunzhou & Sethuvenkatraman, Subbu & Goldsworthy, Mark & Yuan, Guofeng, 2022. "Techno-economic assessment of solar assisted precinct level heating systems with seasonal heat storage for Australian cities," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P1), pages 841-853.
    14. Ciampi, Giovanni & Rosato, Antonio & Sibilio, Sergio, 2018. "Thermo-economic sensitivity analysis by dynamic simulations of a small Italian solar district heating system with a seasonal borehole thermal energy storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 757-771.
    15. Wang, Yubo & Quan, Zhenhua & Zhao, Yaohua & Wang, Lincheng & Liu, Zichu, 2022. "Performance and optimization of a novel solar-air source heat pump building energy supply system with energy storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    16. Shao, Xue-Feng & Yang, Sheng & Wang, Chao & Yang, Yong-Jian & Wang, Wu-Jun & Zeng, Yi & Fan, Li-Wu, 2019. "Screening of sugar alcohols and their binary eutectic mixtures as phase change materials for low-to-medium temperature thermal energy storage. (Ⅱ): Isothermal melting and crystallization behaviors," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 572-583.
    17. Guo, Fang & Zhu, Xiaoyue & Li, Pengchao & Yang, Xudong, 2022. "Low-grade industrial waste heat utilization in urban district heating: Simulation-based performance assessment of a seasonal thermal energy storage system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PE).
    18. 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).
    19. Zahir, Md. Hasan & Mohamed, Shamseldin A. & Saidur, R. & Al-Sulaiman, Fahad A., 2019. "Supercooling of phase-change materials and the techniques used to mitigate the phenomenon," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 793-817.
    20. Li, Yantong & Nord, Natasa & Yin, Huibin & Pan, Gechuanqi, 2025. "Impact of heat loss from storage tank with phase change material on the performance of a solar-assisted heat pump system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 241(C).
    21. Shao, Xue-Feng & Yang, Sheng & Wang, Chao & Wang, Wu-Jun & Zeng, Yi & Fan, Li-Wu, 2020. "Screening of sugar alcohols and their binary eutectic mixtures as phase change materials for low-to-medium temperature thermal energy storage. (Ⅲ): Thermal endurance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    22. Hong, Yuxiang & Cheng, Zihao & Li, Qing & Jia, Shuao & Xiao, Chengxiang & Du, Juan, 2024. "Thermal energy storage, heat transfer, and thermodynamic behaviors of nano phase change material in a concentric double tube unit with triple tree fins," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    23. Sharma, Atul & Tyagi, V.V. & Chen, C.R. & Buddhi, D., 2009. "Review on thermal energy storage with phase change materials and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 13(2), pages 318-345, February.
    24. Wang, Fang & Liu, Mengwei & Guo, Wenliang & Liu, Xianfei & Zhang, Jun & Li, Jicheng & Hu, Guangyu & Yin, Jian, 2025. "Photovoltaic/thermal integrated air source heat pump hot water system with phase change tank," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C).
    25. Chen, Guozheng & Shen, Chao & Liu, Xingjiang & Soteris, Kalogirou.A., 2025. "Performance analysis of a photovoltaic/thermal system based on lunar regolith energy storage for the lunar base," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    26. Maranghi, Florian & Gosselin, Louis & Raymond, Jasmin & Bourbonnais, Martin, 2023. "Modeling of solar-assisted ground-coupled heat pumps with or without batteries in remote high north communities," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 484-498.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Luu, Le Quyen & Cellura, Maurizio & Guarino, Francesco & Longo, Sonia, 2025. "Eco-design of emerging BIPV modules based on LCA and LCC," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 333(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Golmohamadi, Hessam & Larsen, Kim Guldstrand & Jensen, Peter Gjøl & Hasrat, Imran Riaz, 2022. "Integration of flexibility potentials of district heating systems into electricity markets: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 159(C).
    2. Shao, Xuefeng & Chen, Xuyeke & Zhang, Yuxiang & Lü, Xiaoshu & Yuan, Yanping, 2025. "Polyalcohols for flexible thermal energy storage: Understanding persistent supercooling from Gibbs free energy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 330(C).
    3. Sheng Yang & Hong-Yi Shi & Jia Liu & Yang-Yan Lai & Özgür Bayer & Li-Wu Fan, 2024. "Supercooled erythritol for high-performance seasonal thermal energy storage," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    4. Yang, Sheng & Shao, Xue-Feng & Luo, Jia-Hao & Baghaei Oskouei, Seyedmohsen & Bayer, Özgür & Fan, Li-Wu, 2023. "A novel cascade latent heat thermal energy storage system consisting of erythritol and paraffin wax for deep recovery of medium-temperature industrial waste heat," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    5. Xiaoxia Li & Husheng Qiu & Zhifeng Wang & Jinping Li & Guobin Yuan & Xiao Guo & Lifeng Jin, 2023. "Numerical Investigation of a Solar-Heating System with Solar-Tower Receiver and Seasonal Storage in Northern China: Dynamic Performance Assessment and Operation Strategy Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-27, July.
    6. Hassan, Muhammed A. & Araji, Mohamad T., 2024. "Hierarchical optimization of district heating plants by integrating evolutionary and non-linear programming algorithms," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 373(C).
    7. Luo, Rongrong & Wang, Liuwei & Yu, Wei & Shao, Feilong & Shen, Haikuo & Xie, Huaqing, 2023. "High energy storage density titanium nitride-pentaerythritol solid–solid composite phase change materials for light-thermal-electric conversion," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    8. Łukasz Mika & Ewelina Radomska & Karol Sztekler & Andrzej Gołdasz & Wiesław Zima, 2025. "Review of Selected PCMs and Their Applications in the Industry and Energy Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-27, March.
    9. Rostami, Sara & Afrand, Masoud & Shahsavar, Amin & Sheikholeslami, M. & Kalbasi, Rasool & Aghakhani, Saeed & Shadloo, Mostafa Safdari & Oztop, Hakan F., 2020. "A review of melting and freezing processes of PCM/nano-PCM and their application in energy storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    10. Hu, Zhiru & Li, Tianshuang & Zhang, Yuxin & Tao, Yao & Tu, Jiyuan & Yang, Qizhi & Wang, Yong & Yang, Lizhong & Romagnoli, Alessandro, 2024. "Experimental investigation on the performance of a borehole thermal energy storage system based on similarity and symmetry," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 313(C).
    11. Qiangmin Yu & Zhiyuan Zhang & Siyao Qiu & Yuting Luo & Zhibo Liu & Fengning Yang & Heming Liu & Shiyu Ge & Xiaolong Zou & Baofu Ding & Wencai Ren & Hui-Ming Cheng & Chenghua Sun & Bilu Liu, 2021. "A Ta-TaS2 monolith catalyst with robust and metallic interface for superior hydrogen evolution," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-8, December.
    12. Gianluca Coccia & Alessia Aquilanti & Sebastiano Tomassetti & Pio Francesco Muciaccia & Giovanni Di Nicola, 2021. "Experimental Analysis of Nucleation Triggering in a Thermal Energy Storage Based on Xylitol Used in a Portable Solar Box Cooker," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-21, September.
    13. Jin, Yi & Behrens, Paul & Tukker, Arnold & Scherer, Laura, 2021. "The energy-water nexus of China’s interprovincial and seasonal electric power transmission," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 286(C).
    14. Liu, Chenzhen & Cheng, Qingjiang & Li, Baohuan & Liu, Xinjian & Rao, Zhonghao, 2023. "Recent advances of sugar alcohols phase change materials for thermal energy storage," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    15. Popovski, Eftim & Fleiter, Tobias & Ragwitz, Mario, 2024. "The role of solar district heat in the energy transition of the German heating sector," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 310(C).
    16. Xu, Yi & Zhan, Chenxuan & Jensen, Adam R. & Gao, Meng & Kong, Weiqiang & Fan, Jianhua, 2024. "Thermo-economic analysis of a solar district heating plant with an air-to-water heat pump," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(PA).
    17. Yataganbaba, Alptug & Ozkahraman, Bengi & Kurtbas, Irfan, 2017. "Worldwide trends on encapsulation of phase change materials: A bibliometric analysis (1990–2015)," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P1), pages 720-731.
    18. Guelpa, Elisa & Verda, Vittorio, 2019. "Thermal energy storage in district heating and cooling systems: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 252(C), pages 1-1.
    19. Jin, Yi & Scherer, Laura & Sutanudjaja, Edwin H. & Tukker, Arnold & Behrens, Paul, 2022. "Climate change and CCS increase the water vulnerability of China's thermoelectric power fleet," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    20. Shao, Xue-Feng & Yang, Sheng & Wang, Chao & Wang, Wu-Jun & Zeng, Yi & Fan, Li-Wu, 2020. "Screening of sugar alcohols and their binary eutectic mixtures as phase change materials for low-to-medium temperature thermal energy storage. (Ⅲ): Thermal endurance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:331:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225027112. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.