Analysis of Running Energy Consumption of Fresh Air Cooling Systems

Utilization of renewable energy becomes more and more attractive and crucial for sustainable buildings. A cooling system, using outdoor fresh air and combining with the conventional all-air system or running along during different seasons, is discussed in this study. Running energy consumption of this system is analyzed by a mathematical model using the Genetic Algorithm (GA) combined with the traditional Lagrange method. To evaluate and apply this new system, energy consumption of the chiller unit, water and air sub-systems, as well as the total energy consumption of such a system is compared with that of the conventional all-air system. Consequently, the total energy consumption is selected as the criterion of energy efficiency. The results show that the cooling system bears considerably energy efficient, and that it reduces energy consumption at least 14% and 12%, compared with the constant air volume and variable air volume system, respectively.