Abstract

Cooling systems in data centers account for a significant portion of energy and water consumption, prompting the need for sustainable and efficient alternatives to mitigate environmental impacts. Solar absorption cooling systems provide a viable option for reducing energy usage, but their performance varies across different climatic conditions. This work evaluates the performance of a single-effect solar absorption chiller driven by a Lithium Bromide-Water working fluid pair, focusing on system availability, coefficient of performance (COP), and water consumption across 25 locations representing diverse Koppen-Geiger climates. Thermophysical properties are simulated using the Engineering Equation Solver (EES), and the solar collector field is modeled with the System Advisor Model (SAM) software. Results show the system performs best in hot and cold desert climates. Warm climates (BWh, BWk, BSk) have the highest annual operating availability and thermal demand fulfillment, making them favorable when water consumption is not a concern. Conversely, colder climates (Csc, Cfb, Cfb(s), Cfb(i)) have the lowest water consumption (<500 m(3)/year) due to low temperatures and high humidity, making them ideal for water conservation. Temperate climates such as Csb and Csb(i) offer an intermediate solution that balances availability (above 80 %) and water consumption (between 600 and 800 m(3)/year). This study demonstrates the feasibility of solar absorption systems for data center cooling across various climates, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where energy and water usage align efficiently.