Design, energy, environmental and cost analysis of an integrated collector storage solar water heater based on multi-criteria methodologyDesign, energy, environmental and cost analysis of an integrated collector storage solar water heater based on multi-criteria methodology Peer-Reviewed Journal Publication Δημοσίευση σε Περιοδικό με Κριτές 2023-08-312022enThis research has been co-financed by the European Union and Greek national funds through the Operational Program Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, under the call RESEARCH—CREATE—INNOVATE (project code: T1EDK-01740).The paper presents a design and operation analysis of an Integrated Collector Storage (ICS) solar water heater, which consists of an asymmetric Compound Parabolic Concentrating (CPC) reflector trough, while the water tank comprises two concentric cylinders. The annulus between these vessels is partially depressurized and contains a small amount of water in the bottom of the outer vessel which dominantly contributes to the heat transfer from the outer to the inner cylinder. A multi-criteria optimization algorithm is applied to re-evaluate the design specifications of the parabolic surface, thus modifying the design of the entire ICS system and predict the necessary number of units for achieving the highest possible effectiveness with minimized fabrication costs and environmental impacts. The environmental footprint of the device is assessed through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The produced thermal energy in conjunction with the environmental and economic results are evaluated as a function of different configuration parameters regarding the water storage conditions, the solar radiation and the total pressure inside the annulus. The ultimate aim of the evaluation process is to offer new perspectives on the design principles of environmentally friendly and cost-effective devices with improved thermal performance.http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Energies155Arnaoutakis_et_al_Energies_15(5)_2022.pdfChania [Greece]Library of TUC2023-08-31application/pdf12.7 MBfree Arnaoutakis Nektarios Αρναουτακης Νεκταριος Vouros Andreas P. Milousi Maria Caouris Yannis G. Panaras Giorgos Tourlidakis, Antonios Vafiadis Kyriakos Mihalakakou Giouli Garoufalis Christos S. Frontistis Zacharias Papaefthymiou Spyridon Παπαευθυμιου Σπυριδων Souliotis Manolis MDPI ICS solar water heater Multi-criteria decision analysis Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Thermal energy analysis Environmental and economy profile