In the quest to balance the power grid and optimize energy consumption, researchers have turned their attention to an often-overlooked player: central air conditioning systems. These systems, ubiquitous in commercial and residential buildings, are notorious for their high energy consumption, which often peaks during the hottest hours of the day, straining the power grid. A recent study, led by Mao Yubo, published in Zhileng xuebao, which translates to ‘Journal of Refrigeration’, offers a novel approach to mitigate this issue through a self-storage method for central air conditioning systems.
The study proposes a innovative method that adjusts the chilled water temperature in the user-side pipeline network to store and release cold energy. This process, known as peak shaving and valley filling, transfers energy consumption from peak hours to off-peak hours, thereby reducing the strain on the power grid during critical times. The research focuses on a real-world central air conditioning system in a building, developing a model to simulate its operating characteristics under different load rates and cold storage capacities.
The findings are compelling. At an air conditioning load ratio of 40% with 100% cold storage capacity, the energy efficiency ratio is an impressive 4.2, requiring just 27 minutes. Under full load conditions (100% air conditioning load ratio and 100% cold storage capacity), the system can achieve a peak shaving ratio of 23.9% after 60 minutes of cooling, saving 745 kW·h of electricity. Mao Yubo emphasizes the practical implications of these findings, stating, “This method not only helps in reducing the peak electricity consumption but also contributes to significant cost savings in the operating electricity cost of the air conditioning system.”
The potential commercial impacts for the energy sector are substantial. By implementing this self-storage method, buildings can reduce their peak electricity consumption by up to 3.9% and peak electricity costs by 19.8%. This translates to a daily saving of 3.0% in operating electricity costs, a figure that could add up to significant savings over time. “The use of self-storage energy during a typical day during the cooling season with a maximum cooling load of 11 673 kW can result in substantial benefits,” Mao Yubo notes.
This research opens up new avenues for future developments in the field. As the demand for energy-efficient solutions continues to grow, the integration of self-storage methods in central air conditioning systems could become a standard practice. This approach not only benefits individual buildings but also contributes to the overall stability and efficiency of the power grid. The study, published in Zhileng xuebao, provides a solid foundation for further exploration and implementation of these energy-saving strategies.
