Economic and environmental analyses of a BIPV-PCM-slurry based energy system

In this paper, the economic & environmental benefits of the new BIPV-PCM-slurry energy system for use in European buildings were investigated. This involved (1) analyses of the capital and operational cost of the BIPV-PCM-slurry energy system; (2) calculation of increase in the capital cost and saving in operational cost of the system relative to the conventional BIPV, PV/water and conventional heat & power systems; and (3) estimation of the payback period and life cycle cost saving of the system relative to the conventional ones. Furthermore, the carbon emission reduction potential of the system for the use as a replacement of the conventional heat and power systems, BIPV or BIPV/water systems across the European regions was analysed. It is concluded that the BIPV-PCM-slurry energy system is more suitable for use in the southern Europe region than in the northern Europe region. The economic benefits of the BIPV-PCM-slurry, BIPV/water and BIPV are highly dependent upon its application area and local climatic condition. Among the three comparable systems, BIPV-PCM-slurry type presented the greatest potential in obtaining the quickest economic return in investment. The environmental benefits of the three systems are also climatic dependant, having more favourite outcome in Southern Europe than in Northern Europe. Again, the BIPV-PCM-slurry system presents the greatest potential in cutting the carbon emission to the environment, over the other two comparable systems.