Evaluating the cooling potential of a geothermal-assisted ventilation system for multi-family dwellings in the Scandinavian climate. (15th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Cong; Wang, Qian; Nourozi, Behrouz; Pieskä, Henrikki; Ploskić, Adnan
• Is Part Of: Building and environment. Volume 204(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10-15
• Subjects: Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery -- Geothermal energy -- Hours of people dissatisfied -- Operative temperature -- High-temperature cooling; Buildings -- Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Building -- Research -- Periodicals; Constructions -- Technique de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 696
• DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108114
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-1323

Abstract

Abstract: In recent years, the increasing occurrence of heatwaves raises the cooling need of residential buildings in Scandinavian countries, which are traditionally not equipped with active cooling systems. Indoor overheating caused by such heatwaves leads to severe consequences for occupants, especially kids and seniors. Efficient and economical cooling solutions are urgently needed to cope with frequent heatwaves. The present study investigated the novel usage of the geothermal-assisted mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (GEO-MVHR) system for cooling purposes in typical Swedish multi-family dwellings. The cooling potential of the system and its contributions to thermal comfort were evaluated. Dynamic simulations were conducted to assess the system's cooling performance under two climate scenarios: the climate of 2018 representing an extreme year with excessively hot summer and the climate of a typical meteorological year. The GEO-MVHR system shows great potential in mitigating indoor overheating with improved thermal comfort. A ventilation airflow rate of 0.50–0.70 l/s/m 2 is suggested for multi-family dwellings to maximize the cooling potential of the GEO-MVHR system. The indoor operative temperature could be reduced by up to 3 °C with the GEO-MVHR system operating for cooling. Modulating the supply air temperature of the GEO-MVHR system based on indoor thermal conditions is recommended, as it shows the advantage of avoiding unnecessary overcooling and energy saving. Highlights: The cooling potential of a geothermal-assisted MVHR system in Swedish multi-family dwellings. Thorough thermal comfort contribution analysis in cooling mode of GEO-MVHR system. The studed system is capable of reducing the indoor operative temperature by nearly 3 °C. A ventilation airflow rate 0.50–0.70 l/s/m 2 is suggested to be used in the studied system.