Modelling of a Coupled PV and ITES Air Conditioning System Based on MWorks and its Operation Analysis for a Large High-speed Railway Station

Abstract

Large high-speed railway stations are major energy consumers with enormous cooling loads. Integrating distributed renewables such as photovoltaics (PV) offers new prospects for building decarbonization but brings challenges to system dispatch and economic optimization. This study evaluates operational modes of a coupled PV and ice thermal energy storage (ITES) air conditioning system to maximize economic benefits. A physical simulation model of the PV+ITES system including PV module, chiller module, pump module, ice storage tank module etc. was built in MWorks. Three operation modes are considered, and the yearly operation performances were simulated. Quantitative comparison shows Mode 3 (combining PV direct supply and nighttime off-peak ice storage via TOU tariffs) performs optimally, with an annual net operating cost of 2.852 million CNY and 27.53% cost saving vs. Mode 1 (independent PV grid-connection), providing practical references for large transportation hubs.