A Case Study of Operating Strategy Analysis of Heating and Cooling Source Units for a Large Sports Center

As large public buildings requiring expansive spatial environments, public gymnasiums exhibit significant overall energy consumption due to their complex physical structures and usage characteristics. HVAC systems account for a substantial portion of this energy use, making their efficient operation critical for reducing energy consumption in sports facilities. This study employs TRNSYS 18 simulation to construct a model based on the existing heating and cooling source units for an Olympic Sports Center. By altering control strategies, we analyze the energy consumption of units for different seasons to determine operating strategy. Results indicate that, during the cooling season, a sequential start-up strategy for chillers—prioritizing those with the highest COP in response to dynamic terminal load variations—offers 4.72% energy-saving potential during the cooling season. During the heating season, significant energy savings—up to 18.6%—can be achieved by using air-source heat pumps as the base load supply, operating them continuously, and deploying gas boilers only when supplemental heating is required. These findings offer quantitative support for the optimization of HVAC systems in large Public Gymnasiums, demonstrating a viable pathway to substantially improve energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and advance carbon reduction initiatives, thereby promoting long-term operational sustainability.