Design and Analysis of a Solar-Assisted Combined Cooling, Heating, and Power System for Smart Cities: Case Study From Doha

Abstract

The rising demand for sustainable and energy-efficient solutions in urban areas has driven interest in renewable systems for smart cities. This chapter presents a solar-assisted combined cooling, heating, and power (SA-CCHP) system designed for Doha, Qatar, where high solar radiation and cooling needs prevail. Powered solely by a parabolic trough collector (PTC) field, the system delivers net power from 1200 kW in winter to 195 kW in summer, with cooling loads of ~2100-3400 kW and heating loads of ~90)00-14500 kW. Increasing the superheating degree at the ORC turbine inlet enhances power and heating but reduces cooling, while raising the pressure ratio (A) from 0.5 to 0.8 boosts net output and efficiency, cutting CO2 emissions from 0.22 to 0.13 kg/kWh. Overall energy efficiency rises from 85% to 90% and exergy efficiency from 76% to 78.5%, while costs decline from $40/hr to $36/hr, confirming both environmental and economic viability. The study demonstrates the feasibility of solar-powered CCHP systems as scalable models for achieving clean energy goals in smart cities. © 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved.