Page not found – GeoHeat https://geoheat.com.au Sustainable Energy Solutions Sat, 30 Jul 2022 21:41:17 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.9 https://geoheat.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/GeoFlow-geothermal-heating-and-cooling-identity.png Page not found – GeoHeat https://geoheat.com.au 32 32 Solar Water Slashes Heating and Cooling Energy Costs https://geoheat.com.au/2022/07/25/solar-water-slashes-heating-and-cooling-energy-costs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=solar-water-slashes-heating-and-cooling-energy-costs https://geoheat.com.au/2022/07/25/solar-water-slashes-heating-and-cooling-energy-costs/#respond Sun, 24 Jul 2022 20:35:13 +0000 https://geoheat.com.au/?p=7426 With wholesale natural gas prices hurting the bottom line, and no pricing certainty yet in sight, large businesses are moving away from being solely dependent on natural gas for their heating requirements. As they do this, they quickly come to realise that there are viable alternative solutions that can dramatically slash their energy bills. Most people...

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With wholesale natural gas prices hurting the bottom line, and no pricing certainty yet in sight, large businesses are moving away from being solely dependent on natural gas for their heating requirements. As they do this, they quickly come to realise that there are viable alternative solutions that can dramatically slash their energy bills.

Most people think that solar electricity is the answer to their problem, when in fact, it may be one of the least economic solutions to implement for applications with high heating demand. With the latest advances in technology, a far more cost efficient and effective solution is to generate energy from a solar thermal (hot water) heating system that is up to 450% more efficient than solar electricity, and costs almost nothing to run and maintain.

Large scale solar thermal heating systems (such as that depicted above) are similar in principle to domestic solar hot water systems, but on a much larger scale. They generate enough heat to cover most of the heating demand of a business like dairy farms, poultry farms and greenhouses, or any business that requires a considerable amount of heating below 100˚C. 

Heating and cooling your space / water from direct sunlight through solar thermal collectors is basically FREE energy, as the only running cost to keep the system operational is a small hot water pump (flow rate less than 0.005 l/s per m2 of solar collector).

Solar thermal heating and cooling is now an advanced solar technology thanks to the use of innovative absorber technology, and is exceptionally cost-effective over its life-cycle. Solar thermal heating and cooling can be used to condition the air space of any building – from a single residence to a whole retirement village, and even large greenhouses or poultry sheds.

The main components of a solar thermal (heating/cooling) system are shown below:

Water heated by the solar thermal collectors is stored in a hot water storage tank and used by the end user when required (day and/or night). The hot water energy storage in this system is used like a battery to match energy generation and demand, and unlike electric battery storage, it doesn’t cost a fortune and doesn’t die before paying itself back. When there is insufficient solar irradiance, water heating is supplemented by an auxiliary booster/boiler to ensure 24/7 availability of hot water.

When a solar thermal system is combined with an absorption chiller, the generated hot water from the sun can be used to create chilled water for cooling applications. The fascinating fact about this form of cooling is that the solar thermal cooling system capacity and efficiency is highest when the outdoor temperature is warmest!

Savosolar of Finland, manufactures the world’s most efficient large-scale solar thermal collectors (See Figure 1), and has delivered major projects in seventeen countries across four continents. GeoHeat Australia Pty Ltd has partnered with Savosolar and brought the latest solar thermal technology and expertise into Australia and New Zealand. 

Figure 1: Absorber for a large scale solar thermal collector

The Savosolar solar thermal collectors use an innovative and award winning absorber that generates up to 1110kWh p.a. of heating energy per m2 of solar collector – that’s more than five times the amount of energy compared with an equivalently sized solar electricity (PV) system!

The Savosolar absorber is a uniquely designed nano-coated aluminium multi-port channel section (see Figure 2) that allows fluid in the solar panel to be in direct contact with the sun’s energy across the entire solar heated surface!  This design eliminates the high thermal gradients and heat losses of conventional absorbers, and maximizes the thermal efficiency of the solar thermal collector.  Savosolars’ collectors are approximately 50% more efficient than conventional flat plate collectors (with copper pipe and fin), come with a 10 year manufacturer’s performance warranty and have an expected life span of 20 years.

Figure 2: Savosolar’s innovative absorber delivers the highest efficiency in the market

 

Summary of Advantages

For any business with a large heating and/or cooling energy demand, the advantages of solar thermal systems compared with other energy resources are as follows:

Free Heating: A solar thermal system provides free heating energy and is largely maintenance free. It has no moving parts, except for a small pump (flow rate 0.005 L/s/m2 of collector surface area to keep water in circulation.

Free Cooling:  A solar thermal system, combined with an absorption chiller, will deliver free cooling. The overall solar thermal cooling system capacity and efficiency is highest when the outdoor temperature is warmest and there is more demand for cooling! A typical 600kW absorption chiller can convert as much as 83% of free solar hot water to chilled water at 7C using less than 2.5kW electricity.

More than five times the thermal energy:  In practice, Savosolar thermal collectors can deliver as much as 1110 kWh per m2 p.a. of collector, compared with just 200kWh per m2 p.a. of solar electricity panels! In other words, Savosolar panels generate 5.4 times the energy per unit of space when heating is the biggest energy cost for businesses.

Simple and Cheap Storage: Solar thermal systems generate energy in the form of hot water that is stored in large hot water tanks. Large storage tanks cost approximately $300-$600/m3 hot water capacity, or less than $8/kWh. Electric storage batteries can cost $800/kWh. Hot water storage tanks can be used an unlimited number of times within their expected 25 year life span, whereas batteries only last around ten years if they are recharged not more than once a day.

Suitable for any land: Solar thermal collectors can be installed on roof tops, hills and sloping sites. 

Energy Independence: Solar thermal systems can bring real energy independence. If for any reason in the future, Australia is in short supply of gas for domestic market, this won’t affect business. Solar thermal systems already provide a huge operating cost advantage over their life time, and will continue to do more so, as gas prices increase further. 

Low Installed Cost: Solar thermal systems (without any subsidy), depending on the system size, cost about $400/m2. Local and federal governments also provide low-interest loans in support of installation of renewable energy systems. Organisations such as the Clean Energy Finance Corporation and Sustainable Melbourne Fund are backed by government bodies in providing these services. 

Long Warranty Period & Life Expectancy: The performance of Savosolar thermal collectors is guaranteed for 10 years, with a life expectancy beyond 20 years.

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Technical Terms https://geoheat.com.au/2022/01/10/technical-terms/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=technical-terms Mon, 10 Jan 2022 01:12:45 +0000 https://geoheat.com.au/?p=7329 CONDITIONS OF CONSENT A set of planning and construction requirements for a development that is set by local councils. It often includes energy compliance requirements that are more stringent than NCC energy compliance requirements. When a Council determines a development application, they have 3 options available: grant an unconditional consent; refuse consent; or grant a...

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CONDITIONS OF CONSENT

A set of planning and construction requirements for a development that is set by local councils. It often includes energy compliance requirements that are more stringent than NCC energy compliance requirements.

When a Council determines a development application, they have 3 options available: grant an unconditional consent; refuse consent; or grant a conditional consent (s80(1) Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979). the conditions of consent are for planning purposes, related to the specific land. Conditions of consent will persist indefinitely and runs with the land; it is a valuable right to deal with land; and is an on going obligation upon the land owner. 

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Fan coil heating capacity correction with EWT https://geoheat.com.au/2021/08/27/fan-coil-heating-capacity-correction-with-ewt/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fan-coil-heating-capacity-correction-with-ewt https://geoheat.com.au/2021/08/27/fan-coil-heating-capacity-correction-with-ewt/#respond Fri, 27 Aug 2021 05:22:37 +0000 https://geoheat.com.au/?p=7322 In following, data from Temperzone fan coils are used to extrapolate heating capacity of standard typical 6 kW fan coil at different Entering Water Temeperature (EWT). 

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In following, data from Temperzone fan coils are used to extrapolate heating capacity of standard typical 6 kW fan coil at different Entering Water Temeperature (EWT). 

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Solar PV Feed in Tarrif has dropped 34% in Victoria https://geoheat.com.au/2021/07/30/solar-pv-feed-in-tarrif-has-dropped-34-in-victoria/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=solar-pv-feed-in-tarrif-has-dropped-34-in-victoria https://geoheat.com.au/2021/07/30/solar-pv-feed-in-tarrif-has-dropped-34-in-victoria/#respond Thu, 29 Jul 2021 21:37:53 +0000 https://geoheat.com.au/?p=7312   According to Powerclub, during 2020, 25% of solar exports in Victoria were at times when wholesale spot prices were less than $0, and the regulators consider this when setting the mandated Feed-in Tariff (FiT). In 2021, regulators have set Feed-in Tariff to 6.7c/kWh and 64.5c/kWh for those already on the premium (now closed), which...

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  According to Powerclub, during 2020, 25% of solar exports in Victoria were at times when wholesale spot prices were less than $0, and the regulators consider this when setting the mandated Feed-in Tariff (FiT). In 2021, regulators have set Feed-in Tariff to 6.7c/kWh and 64.5c/kWh for those already on the premium (now closed), which is 34% less than tariffs for 2020 (10.2c/kWh). However, this rate is still higher than all other States in Australia.  

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Change in a fan coil heating capacity with different Entering Water Temperatures https://geoheat.com.au/2021/07/22/how-much-does-fan-coil-heating-capacity-change-by-different-entering-water-temperature/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-much-does-fan-coil-heating-capacity-change-by-different-entering-water-temperature https://geoheat.com.au/2021/07/22/how-much-does-fan-coil-heating-capacity-change-by-different-entering-water-temperature/#respond Thu, 22 Jul 2021 03:45:41 +0000 https://geoheat.com.au/?p=7306 A Fan Coil Unit (FCU) capacity is directly affected with Entering Water Temperature (EWT). FCUs are rated for EWT= 60C but with a heat pump delivering EWT=35C, capacity drops by 31%.   This is derived from detailed data from a manufacturer like Media.    If we assume that EWT= 60 C is reference point, then heating...

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A Fan Coil Unit (FCU) capacity is directly affected with Entering Water Temperature (EWT). FCUs are rated for EWT= 60C but with a heat pump delivering EWT=35C, capacity drops by 31%. 

 This is derived from detailed data from a manufacturer like Media. 

 

If we assume that EWT= 60 C is reference point, then heating capacity change with different EWT differentials can be calculated from figure below: 

 

 

 

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What is the best position for a room thermostat https://geoheat.com.au/2021/07/22/what-is-the-best-position-for-a-room-thermostat/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-is-the-best-position-for-a-room-thermostat https://geoheat.com.au/2021/07/22/what-is-the-best-position-for-a-room-thermostat/#respond Thu, 22 Jul 2021 03:11:56 +0000 https://geoheat.com.au/?p=7302 A room thermostat should be placed in a room to maximize air flow across the thermostat. High air flow allows the air temperature across thermostat to be more representative of the room temperature. Following figure shows the locations where thermostat should be fitted. Ideal height above floor is 1.2m.     Dont install thermostat in following...

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A room thermostat should be placed in a room to maximize air flow across the thermostat. High air flow allows the air temperature across thermostat to be more representative of the room temperature.

Following figure shows the locations where thermostat should be fitted. Ideal height above floor is 1.2m.  

 

Dont install thermostat in following 7 areas: 

  1. directly in front of heat or cooling source
  2. In a different room other than the target room
  3. in a direct sunlight
  4. directly above appliances like TV
  5. in a corner of two walls
  6. behind furniture and curtains
  7. close to entrance door where temperature is affected by high air infiltration. 

 

 

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Hot water heating cost reduction for dairy farms https://geoheat.com.au/2020/09/13/solar-hot-water-for-dairy-farms/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=solar-hot-water-for-dairy-farms https://geoheat.com.au/2020/09/13/solar-hot-water-for-dairy-farms/#respond Sat, 12 Sep 2020 21:21:26 +0000 https://geoheat.com.au/?p=7233 Heating water accounts for approximately 25% of total how water demand of a dairy farm. According to Dairy Australia, water heating is the second biggest energy cost after milk cooling costs. Hot water in dairy farms is needed for washing milking machines, bulk tanks and parlor equipment. Water temperature and amount of water The following...

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Heating water accounts for approximately 25% of total how water demand of a dairy farm. According to Dairy Australia, water heating is the second biggest energy cost after milk cooling costs.

Hot water in dairy farms is needed for washing milking machines, bulk tanks and parlor equipment.

Water temperature and amount of water

The following table from Australian Dairy Hygiene hanbook shows typical amoun of water used and the temperatures.

Referring to the above, in average, hot water temperature used in a typical dairy farm daily cycle is 72.5C. This is composed of 900 litres of hot water at 90C and 300 litres cold water at 20C.

Cost efficient energy sources for heating hot water

For water to be heated up from 20C from mains up to 90C, different free and renewable energy sources can be used to heat up water depending on their availability. Renewable energy systems are most efficient and provide the most cost saving at low temperature. This is crucial to let them heat water from 20 to 60 degrees and us conventional electric element heater to heat the water from 60 to 90C.

Solar thermal or solar hot water

solar hot water provides free heating energy from sun. Sun heat solar hot water absorber plates and heat is transferred to circulating water from storage tank.

Heat recovery

Desuperheater can be installed in your refrigeration system for cooling milk that can provide free heat to heat your hot water that other wise would have been wasted to ambient.

A desuperheater is refrigernat to water heat exchanger, that allows passing heat from hot refrigenrat to your hot water tank.

Pros: As the source of energy is free heat from your cooling system, it can be considered a cost effective energy upgrade.

Cons: It is only available when cooling system is in operation. regular inspection is required to make sure no refrigerant can leak into water cycle or vice versa.

Water to water heat pump

A water to water heat pump is far more efficient that the heat recovery system as it has much bigger heat exchanger allowing to simultaneous heat hot water and cool the milk. part of hot water demand and Milk cooling can occur simultaneously and thus this solution can cover part of hot water heating and cooling process very cost effectively.

Heat pump efficiency rating

sizing water heater

The best approach to sizing your system components including heat pump water heater and milk cooler is to look into to your hour by hour energy demand.

Reducing standby losses

Hot water tanks can loose a lot of heat to ambient. Best solution is to install them indoors to minimize air speed on their skin and minimize heat losses.

For more information

Search our website for further information on different technologies and other energy cost saving opportunities. We have a lot of articles that cover most of the items that we charge to deliver in our project specific energy audit and feasibility assessment. Otherwise, give us a call and we will try to assist with as much as possible.

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