Valoración técnica, financiera y ambiental de energía solar térmica como alternativa al uso convencional de GLP en las instalaciones del Centro de Recreación y Deporte de la Universidad de Cuenca (CREDU)

Abstract

Decarbonizing the energy system is essential for mitigating climate change, and solar energy stands out as a crucial and renewable source. This study evaluates the feasibility of a water heating system for a swimming pool and domestic hot water (DHW) for showers, based on solar thermal energy, applicable to the Recreation and Sports Center of the University of Cuenca (CREDU). The objective is to reduce liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable development. An energy and solar radiation analysis were conducted to calculate the energy demand of the pool. The roof analysis was favorable for the system's implementation, and suitable collectors were selected using technical criteria. The AcSol software was used to simulate the solar thermal system, while an independent system for DHW in showers was simulated in SAM. The results indicated that the selected system covers 34,32 % of the pool's demand, using a solar collection area of 139,8 m2. Additionally, hydraulic losses and components for the system design were evaluated. The financial evaluation determined an investment cost of 71.719,10 USD, with a simple payback period of 3,25 years. Environmentally, the new heating system is estimated to mitigate 79,33 tons of CO2 annually.