Direct Utilization of Solar and Wind Energy in Thermal Energy Storage Systems to Enhance Power-to-Heat Conversion in the GMIT campus

Abstract

This thesis investigates the feasibility and effectiveness of renewable-based heating systems on the German-Mongolian Institute for Resources and Technology (GMIT) campus in Nalaikh, Mongolia. With long, severe winters and rising energy demands due to campus expansion, maintaining thermal comfort in an energy-efficient and sustainable way has become a key challenge. This study compares three configurations: a fully renewable system using solar thermal and wind energy, a hybrid system combining renewables with limited conventional backup, and the existing traditional system powered entirely by coal-based centralized heating. Through detailed analysis of campus heating bills, climate data, energy simulations, and cost modeling, the study demonstrates that a hybrid solar-wind system offers the best balance of economic, technical, and environmental performance. It reduces long-term heating costs, significantly lowers emissions, and ensures system reliability. A fully renewable system, while environmentally superior, remains cost-prohibitive without external funding. The findings suggest that transitioning to a hybrid renewable heating model, supported by wind power and thermal energy storage, is a viable and scalable pathway toward energy sustainability for cold-climate institutions.