Mahabir S Bhandari

Energy-saving potential of a radiant cooling system in different climate zones of India

The current article describes a case study that estimates the energy-saving potential of radiant cooling systems in different climate zones of India using calibrated building energy simulation. The case study uses an office building for the performance assessment of a radiant cooling system. The building consists of two symmetrical sides; one side of the building is cooled by the radiant cooling system, whereas the other side uses a variable air volume system. A whole building energy model was developed in EnergyPlus and was calibrated at the component level with the measured data to ensure the accuracy of the predicted results. The calibrated building energy model was then used for estimating the energy-saving potential of the radiant cooling system in four cities in different climate zones of India. The results revealed that a maximum energy saving of 27% was achieved in Bengaluru (temperate climate zone) and that the minimum, 11%, was achieved in Chennai (warm and humid climate zone). The impact of an energy recovery wheel was also estimated, and it was found that maximum energy savings from an energy recovery wheel were achieved in Chennai. Energy savings decreased when an energy recovery wheel was used in Bengaluru City in conjunction with the radiant cooling system.