Major Activities for Subtask B: Systems Testing and Characterization

The activities and projects in this subtask examine testing and certification procedures for systems. By examining current practices, weaknesses in existing methods can be identified and improved, gaps in existing methods and processes can be identified and redressed, and inconsistencies in the application of existing methods and processes can be reduced by sharing information and promoting harmonization of procedures. One of the objectives will be a more sound, well-documented and widely adopted set of procedures for estimating the environmental, energy and economic impacts of solar thermal systems over their lifetimes. Another objective will be a more sound, well-documented and widely adopted set of procedures for understanding how system design and components interact with buildings and other equipment in delivering reliable and comfortable space conditioning, reliable hot water, energy surety, and other indicators of solar thermal value to end-users.

Activity B.1 – Roadmapping of Systems Issues

Convene a meeting of experts to discuss issues and define research needs in more detail. Conduct research to define the limits/boundaries of solar thermal systems within the context of building integration, what is the solar thermal system in the contexts of storage, cooling, heating. Work will also consider how systems should be defined for incentive programs; characterizing quantity and quality of heat; and appropriate parameters for due diligence assessments for larger custom systems. Investigate ranges of tolerance/acceptable uncertainty in performance and/or define bands of acceptability for performance. Examine existing performance testing and research applied to systems and promote round robin tests to investigate variations in practices and procedures and their impact on test results, for example for passive systems where there are problems in producing comparable results for separable thermosiphon systems versus ICS and non-separable thermosiphon systems.

Activity B.2 – Component/Material Substitution, Qualification and Safety Testing

Research how component and material substitution should be addressed in testing and standards, including when substitutions should be considered significant enough to require new testing and standards. For example, the substitution of Grundfos pumps for Wilo pumps, or substitutions of different storage components.

Research how to extrapolate changes within a model line. For example, how to treat changes in the size and or number of collectors even though their “construction” is identical, or tank volume changes (with the same stratification devices if any are used). There has been work on procedures that use a complex mapping of solar fraction vs area/volume by simulation, with variations for climate, draw volume, and other factors. Another approach is to “test at extremes” and interpolate. Examining various approaches and determining their strengths and weaknesses will provide laboratories, industry and certification bodies with better, more standardized approaches to deal with sizing issues.

Survey current laboratory approaches to qualification testing and how they relate to systems to identify inconsistencies, gaps, and problems. Develop recommendations for research or improved practices to resolve issues, building on the base of experience developed in collector testing.

Investigate (with input from test laboratories, industry and certification bodies) whether quality ratings and degradation estimates for whole systems are feasible based on tests and their implications for system life, lifetime performance, reliability and warranties. Determine to what extent individual collector and component testing can be aggregated into whole system predictions of lifetime, performance, and reliability.

Survey current practices for safety-related testing and certification to identify issues, including lightning protection, over-temperature protection, and other factors raised by growing installations in varied locations, and address what issues are best considered in component and system testing and certification versus building codes and installer responsibility.

Activity B.3 – Simulation and Modelling

Conduct a review of component test simulation tools to identify any issues in their application to current SHC technology, opportunities to adapt to new applications, and issues in applying them to systems analysis. CTSS, Dynamic System Test, Input-Output, and recent regression modelling results for using measured data to determine parameters in models will be investigated. Research testing and measurement standards applied to combi-systems, identify conditions used in ratings, and share information needed to create/apply common methods across participating countries.

Activity B.4 – Analysis and Public Dissemination of Benefit Indicators

Examine value and application of test results to quantify environmental benefits including carbon footprint, lifecycle disposal and recycling issues, energy payback calculations, and others suggested in the course of research. Recommend further research in areas where benefits estimates are inadequately supported by testing and characterization efforts, and recommend improvements that could strengthen the technical basis for benefits estimates. Although these benefits measures depend on basic performance information, there are questions concerning how well current measures support these benefits estimates and how the scientific basis for them could be improved to help industry gain public and policy support.

Examine the relation between test and characterization information and consumer perceptions of issues such as “comfort” to identify areas where existing test and measurement data are inadequate for quantifying these factors. An example would be the differences users sense between hydronic, forced-air and radiant space conditioning systems and how solar systems perform in these different applications. Related performance issues that go beyond thermal performance include reliability and security of systems and ability to cover loads.

Activity B.5 – Communication and Outreach Coordination

In coordination with Subtask A, develop efficient means to communicate the results of the overall task including the Internet, web conferences and meetings, and other tools identified in the course of the task.

• Identify existing groups working in the subject of technology, testing and standardization and establish links with these groups to engage them in communications and harmonization effort.
• Develop a communication plan for the target audiences that draws on the current IEA-SHC communication plan to further target industry, standards and certification bodies, testing laboratories, and other supporting organizations.
• Prepare and maintain a web page that includes work in progress in addition to final deliverables for projects with implications for testing and standardization, with material open to outside groups or limited to participants as appropriate.
• Establish an alert system for information on relevant data from IEA tasks, TC standardization groups, and certification bodies (Solar Keymark, SRCC, Office of Australian Renewable Energy Regulator) to actively notify interested parties of developments rather than relying on their searching for the information.
• Establish a regular forum for participants and outside persons to pose questions or make suggestions regarding testing processes so that developers of new technologies have an entry point into the testing process, and existing technology practitioners have a place to raise questions or provide input.
• Actively recruit participation from other countries including China and India either as direct participants in research or as observers. Organize joint meetings in conjunction with Solar Keymark networking or other events (Standardization Technical Committee meetings) to promote ongoing action to harmonize standards, testing and certification. Organize more meetings with broad international appeal and dispersed locations like ISES meetings. Work to make standards and testing a distinct track in larger meetings where researchers in this task can be involved as individuals in standards development.

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International Energy Agency Solar Heating and Cooling Programme