Feasibility study of the use of solar energy for air conditioning in Malta

Abstract

The use of cheap and abundant energy is increasing continuously in modern civilization. Manual labor and work animals are slowly being eliminated with the introduction of power-driven machines so that abundant fuel is being required. The world's fossil fuels consisting mainly of coal, fuel oil, gasoline, and natural gas, give ample heat and power at extraordinarily low prices compared to other types of fuel such as uranium and thorium for nuclear energy so that the question now arises of what will happen when our supplies of fossil fuels approach exhaustion or worse if they are suddenly cut off by catastrophe including political disputes such as the Suez crisis that was experienced quite lately. The answer to this question lies in research and development to find substitutes for the burning of fossil fuels, namely, nuclear and solar energy. Both these types of energy are free from the serious handicap of high transportation costs which greatly effects the use of fossil fuels. Nuclear energy, however, must come in large, expensive, and dangerous units and it will find its greatest use in Northern climate where large quantities of energy are needed in cities and manufacturing operations. Also nuclear energy does not meet the well-implanted demand for fossil fuels. Although, the known reserves of uranium ad thorium throughout the world are sufficient to supply the necessary energy even with the anticipated rise in use for some five hundred years, the extraction of fuel is expensive and the task is dangerous. Hence, this fuel is only used in particular plants where extreme safety precautions can be observed and where a high calibre of technical-maintenance personnel is available such as power stations that use nuclear reactors. Solar energy, on the other hand, presents no danger and can also find applications in small units, so that sunny, rural regions such as Malta, may avail themselves of its use without the need of employing highly trained personnel. The world population is increasing and all are seeking to raise their standard of living. Furnas and Lukes (Ref 1) suggest that a fair estimate is that a century from now, the world will require 50 times as much energy as it is utilizing today. The total energy in fossil fuels recoverable at no more than twice 1950 costs is estimated to be, for the world, 27x10 18Btu. Economically recoverable world resources of the nuclear materials uranium and thorium are presently estimated to be 25 million and 1 million tons, respectively. These would approximately yield an energy input of 575x10 18Btu. Solar radiation reaching the earth's surface amounts to about 3200x10 18Btu per year based on 62.5 per cent transmission through the atmosphere which amounts to 32,000 times as much energy as we are now utilizing. The direct harnessing of solar energy, therefore, appears to be an attractive proposition. The use of solar and nuclear energy should also be encouraged since it is not right to burn fuel to supply heat and power alone. The fossil fuels should be saved as a supply of raw materials for the manufacture of many different chemicals. However, the use of solar energy is not practical in all locations or in all climates. The length of sunlight periods, the frequency and predictability of cloudy weather and the height of the sun in the sky are all factors which must be considered. Any location between latitude 40°N and latitude 40°S, except where rains are too frequent, would be suitable. Malta is at latitude 36°N and its predictable good climate, especially during the summer months, makes it an ideal location for installing solar devices. [...] Aim of Project: the aim of this project was : 1. to study the uses of solar energy ; 2. to consider the adaption of these uses to the Maltese islands ; 3. to investigate one of the particular uses and ; 4. to consider the feasibility of introducing the particular system in Malta.