Integration of Renewable Energy Sources in Industrial Parks: Medicool European Demonstration Project

Abstract

The present paper is focused on describing a demonstrative project, financially supported by the European Union, aiming of providing a real example of sustainable solution for space cooling in large storages and industrial applications. The proposed solution has been implemented in the pharmaceutical distribution sector, presenting strict and rigid European and national regulations regarding storage temperature conditions. The developed installation involves one of the largest systems ever built in Europe based on solar cooling/heating technologies. Collectors based on Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) technology have been selected, with a global collecting surface of 22,500 m2. These collectors also reduce significantly both convection and conduction heat losses. The proposed system involves two absorption chillers of 675 and 855 kW each one. An additional control system is included to fit the capacity of cold production according to the real necessities of the refrigerated system. This system is expected to provide an annual energy savings estimated in around 795 MWh only for the cooling system, accounting over 70% of the global energy currently needed for conditioning the global installations.