SOLAR THERMAL ENERGY AND EFFICIENT VENTILATION: ALLICE PUBLISHES TWO NEW STUDIES FOR ITS MEMBERS!

At the beginning of this year, ALLICE continues to publish the latest collective work the members voted for in 2022. This month, members were able to learn about the study "Potential of solar thermal energy in industry" and the state of the art "Efficient ventilation solutions".

THE "POTENTIAL FOR SOLAR THERMAL ENERGY IN INDUSTRY" STUDY

Worldwide, industrial heat consumption represents almost 24% of final energy consumption, all uses and energy vectors combined. This corresponds to almost 24,000 TWh. By distinguishing between temperature levels, it is possible to identify solar thermal technologies that could provide part of the supply for this energy consumption.

The aim of this study is to provide an initial level of information on the technical and economic feasibility of these solutions. It consists of 4 parts: 

• The first part is devoted to a state-of-the-art review of solar thermal technologies (sensors, storage, and operating principles) that can be used to supply heat for industrial processes. Thermal storage technologies, which can rarely be dissociated from solar sensors, are also discussed.
• The second part tackles the methodology required to integrate solar heat.
• The third part looks at the economic aspects.
• Finally, four detailed feedback sheets provide an insight into solar thermal installations integrated into industrial processes. They illustrate the diversity of solutions that can be implemented to meet different objectives.

In summary, this study highlighted 4 conclusions:

• The need to carry out detailed energy analyses to encourage the integration of solar thermal energy, and to use the most appropriate technology,
• The diversity of solutions that can satisfy a large proportion of industry's low- and medium-temperature (up to 400°C) heating needs, as well as their level of maturity,
• The competitive cost of solar heat compared with conventional solutions, and particularly their insensitivity to fluctuations in the energy market, considering their very limited operating costs,
• 10 to 20 times less environmental impact than fossil natural gas.

CONSULT THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

THE STATE OF THE ART IN EFFICIENT VENTILATION SOLUTIONS

The aim of this study is to detail the current state of the art in ventilation solutions, with particular emphasis on the energy performance of systems. It focuses on industry, in particular industrial installations where manufacturing processes are likely to emit specific pollutants.

The main function of a ventilation system is to clean up working environments and treat pollutants emitted before they are released into the atmosphere, in compliance with current regulations. A ventilation system is made up of a series of components that generate significant energy consumption for manufacturers.

A review of the abundant existing literature on ventilation showed that this sanitation function is covered in best practice guides and rules of the art. On the other hand, there are few studies that deal specifically with the energy efficiency of ventilation systems.

This review therefore examines each component of a ventilation system from the angle of energy efficiency: the collection device, the transport network, the pollution control device, the regulation and finally the ventilator.

CONSULT THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY