Analysis of a photovoltaic-thermal with heat pump system for engine heating in thermal power plants

This study performed a computational analysis and experimental validation of a hybrid photovoltaic-thermal (PVT) system combined with a heat pump for engine heating in thermal power plants. Using the Ansys Fluent software for computational fluid dynamics simulations, the research examined the thermal performance and efficiency of the PVT system under real operating conditions. The simulations confirmed that the PVT system could achieve high thermal efficiency, especially during periods of maximum solar radiation. The mesh model used in the simulations comprised 6,589,347 elements, refined to capture the details of fluid flow and heat transfer. The results indicated that the maximum outlet water temperature reached 315 K, while the experimental tests showed a maximum temperature of 328.15 K. The maximum thermal efficiency observed was 73% at noon. The study also demonstrated the feasibility of scaling up the system from a bench-scale prototype to industrial applications. By employing the Boussinesq approximation and maintaining the dimensionless Reynolds, Nusselt, Prandtl, Grashof, and Rayleigh numbers, the downscaled simulations were shown to be reliable and comparable to full-scale systems. The integration of the PVT system with a heat pump proved to be effective in reducing fossil fuel consumption, enabling simultaneous generation of electricity and heat, thereby improving energy efficiency and reducing operating costs in industrial settings. The PVT system faces climate constraints, high costs, and industrial integration challenges. The present study acknowledges the challenges in the widespread adoption of PVT systems and suggests future research to optimize these systems in diverse climatic and geographic contexts.