Optimal Control of Solar Heating and Off-Peak Energy Storage Installations

Abstract

It is well known that the widespread use of solar heating or cooling systems could lead to an increase in the cost of supply of power by the electric utilities. However, it is also recognized that by using appropriate control strategies in these systems the cost of supply may be reduced relative to that of electric resistance heating systems. Control strategies for solar heating systems and for off-peak heat storage systems have been developed and investigated in terms of utility cost of supply for the year 1990. This paper includes a discussion of results obtained for off-peak storage systems, solar heating systems, and combined solar and off-peak systems for the area served by Public Service Co. of New Mexico.