Monitoring and operational results of a hybrid solar-biomass heating system

Solar thermal systems, that provide auxiliary energy for space heating, represent a growing opportunity in European countries like Austria and Germany. However, such systems are as yet not widely known in the rest of Europe, unlike thermosyphon water heating systems. In addition, the need for energy conservation and reduction of CO2 emissions, to combat climate change, demands the use and advance of renewable energy sources in new sectors than for common domestic water heating. The purpose of this research work is to present a full cycle of operational results of a hybrid solar thermal-biomass space heating system in Greece. The hybrid heating system was installed at the Centre for Renewable Energy Sources (CRES), Pikermi, central Greece in September 2005 with the intension to provide all the heat requirements for a specific office block of 60 m2 area. The system was analyzed and optimized over a period of 6 months. The solar contribution during the actual measurement period (60% of the operating period) covered 52.9% of the total heating demand. The operational results of this unit from November 2005 till April of 2006 are presented and analyzed. The main parameters presented here include the operation of the system, the results, the coverage fraction (f%) of the solar and the biomass subsystems, the actions taken to increase its efficiency and the technical problems faced along with possible solutions to overcome them.