Performance Evaluation of a Centrally Conditioned Classroom Complex with Energy Recovery: Energy and Environmental Analysis

This study discusses the performance analysis of a centrally conditioned classroom complex located in a hot and humid climate. TRNSYS-17, a well-known transient system simulation program is used to estimate the building cooling load with and without the energy recovery system. The energy recovery system consists of an enthalpy wheel for total energy recovery and a desiccant wheel for dehumidification of supply air. Results show that the use of the energy recovery system leads to around 14–17% reduction in required cooling coil capacity and chiller energy consumption for selected weather conditions (Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai). The achieved seasonal energy efficiency ratio for Kolkata, Chennai, and Mumbai climatic conditions are 6.0, 5.9, and 6.2, respectively. The life cycle climate performance (LCCP) of carbon dioxide equivalent is maximum for Chennai without energy recovery and minimum for Mumbai with energy recovery. The contribution of direct and indirect emissions are around 14% and 86% of total LCCP values, in which carbon dioxide equivalent emission due to the cooling system energy consumption is almost 98% of total indirect emission.