Achieving Pareto Optimum for Hybrid Geothermal–Solar (PV)–Gas Heating Systems: Minimising Lifecycle Cost and Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Abstract

This article investigates heating options for poultry houses (or sheds) in order to meet their specific indoor air temperature requirements, with case studies conducted across Australia under conditions similar to those encountered worldwide. Hybrid geothermal–solar (PV)–gas heating systems with various configurations are proposed to minimise the lifecycle costs and GHG emissions of poultry shed heating, which involves six seven-week cycles per year. The baseload heating demand is satisfied using ground-source heat pumps (GSHPs), with solar photovoltaic panels generating the electricity needed. LPG burners satisfy the remaining heating demand. Integrating these systems with GSHPs aims to minimise the overall installation costs of the heating system. The primary focus is to curtail the costs and GHG emissions of poultry shed heating with these hybrid systems, considering three different electricity offsetting scenarios. It is found that a considerable reduction in the lifecycle cost (up to 55%) and GHG emissions (up to 50%) can be achieved when hybrid systems are used for heating. The Pareto front solutions for the systems are also determined. By comparing the Pareto front solutions for various scenarios, it is found that the shave factor, a measure of the GSHP proportion of the overall system, significantly influences the lifecycle cost, while the size and utilisation of the solar PV panels significantly affect the lifecycle GHG emissions.