Advancing the Industrial Sector Energy Transition with Hybrid Solar Systems: Evaluation of Small Winemaking in Ecuador

Abstract

Ecuador may face an accelerated energy transition in the next 15 years due to the reduction of its oil reserves, affecting industries that require oil derivatives. To achieve a transition toward renewable energy without affecting the industry, this research proposed a technoeconomic evaluation of a hybrid system with solar flat plate collectors and photovoltaic modules that drive an absorption chiller and a compression chiller. The system supplies heat, cooling, and electricity to the winemaking industry in Ecuador. The best results for the hybrid systems reached a levelized cost of energy (LCOEn) of 0.171 USD/kWh and 0.157 USD/kWh in Guayaquil and Quito, respectively. For both locations, the LCOEn for the hybrid systems represents a decrease of the LCOEn of 53% and 32% concerning the individual solar photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, respectively. Therefore, the proposed hybrid system has a significant potential to integrate solar energy into the industry sector.

Keywords

• hybrid solar cooling system
• solar heating and cooling systems
• solar photovoltaic
• solar thermal
• absorption chillers
• sustainable industry