A regional evaluation of the annual cycle energy system

Abstract

The Solar Assisted Annual Cycle Energy System (ACES) is evaluated by means of a dynamic computer simulation. The operational concept of the ACES is discussed and the methodology used in evaluating the system is presented. Annual energy consumption and associated costs are investigated for the full, minimum and cos-topimised ACES in a variety of US climates. The energy and economic effectiveness of ACES is evaluated by comparing ACES with four conventional heating and cooling systems. Results show that ACES can be three to four times more energy efficient than the conventional systems investigated in this study. Under prototype equipment cost constraints, residential ACES is not, in general, cost competitive with the conventional systems. However, with realistic projections on the cost of mature components, residential ACES is far superior to conventional systems.