C16 - System Integration

Host: University of Innsbruck
Leader: Univ.-Prof. Wolfgang Streicher, Dr.-Ing. Alexander Thür
Date: June 27th to 30th, 2017

The aim of the course on system integration was to show the interaction of different elements in a solar thermal system. The course was quite intensive in terms of the variety of the topics treated. The topics included components, guidelines, characterization, applications, hydraulics, control systems, dimensioning and optimization as well as design exercises and excursions to build examples. Both theoretical background and practical information were condensed to a four-day course by leading professors in their field. There were 19 participants from 12 nations taking part in the Solnet-PhD-Course. The participants came from all over the world including China, Russia, India, Egypt, Morocco, Australia and Switzerland. That is why the course was also a platform for intercultural encounter and understanding.

Two days focused mainly on the system integration covering the different elements like solar collector, solar loop and its components, storage, auxiliary heater, space heating and domestic hot water demand. This gave an insight in how to optimize these elements with respect to their function in the system. Exercises with simulation tools enabled the students to put their knowledge into practice. Another day addressed the computational thermal engineering of solar thermal systems. This gave an overview on the Simulation approaches to transient heat conduction and heat transport including boundary conditions and the stability of different procedures. During the four-day course there was also an excursion. We visited a solar thermal collector manufacturer, a heat pump manufacturer, the first energy-plus multifamily house in Austria and the laboratories of the university. After the seminar, there was always space for joint activities like dinners and walks. In the weekend, the course leaders organized hiking tours in the mountains. The overall atmosphere was very kind and during the whole time not only technical knowledge was shared.

SHINE Course 16 System Integration of Solar Thermal Plants will be hosted at the University of Innsbruck. Date: June 27^th to 30^th, 2017

For more information, click here to download the information sheet

To apply for the course, please send an email to silke.habel[at]uibk.ac[dot]at with name, email, name of Institute and participation request.

To receive academic credits for this course, it is possible register at Uni Innsbruck at a cost of €19.20 to cover the registration fee. We will provide you with the necessary information for registration when we received your email.

The aim of the course on system integration of solar thermal plants is to show the interaction of different elements in a solar thermal system. The topics include components and their theory, guidelines, characterization, analysis of applications, hydraulics, control systems, dimensioning and optimization, design exercise and an excursion to built examples. The different elements are solar collector, solar loop and its components, storage, auxiliary heater, building and space heating system including various hydraulics, domestic hot water demand, the climate and the control system. Practical issues concerning mounting and control will be given. The course should give insight in how to optimize these elements with respect to their function in the system. “Very good components can be put together to a very bad system”.