Physics-Based Dynamic Modeling of Solar-Powered Off-Grid Cold Storage for Perishables Using Modelica: A Case Study – Xingalool, Somalia

Bahareh Bakhsh Zahmatkesh; Mina Shahi; Amirhoushang Mahmoudi

doi:10.3384/ecp218939

Physics-Based Dynamic Modeling of Solar-Powered Off-Grid Cold Storage for Perishables Using Modelica: A Case Study – Xingalool, Somalia

Bahareh Bakhsh Zahmatkesh
, Mina Shahi
, Amirhoushang Mahmoudi^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic › peer-review

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Abstract

This paper presents a dynamic, physics-based Modelica
model for simulating solar-powered, off-grid cold storage
systems used to preserve perishables. A preliminary
component library, developed using the Modelica
Standard Library, supports modular modeling of
photovoltaic (PV)-powered chillers, thermal loads, and
latent thermal energy storage (LTES), which maintains
cooling during non-solar hours. The library is applied to a
200 m³ cold room in Xingalool, Somalia, designed to stay
at 5 °C. A case study simulating 500 kg of crop loading at
8:00 and unloading at 17:00 demonstrates the system’s
dynamic behavior under realistic solar and ambient
conditions.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	16th International Modelica&FMI Conference
Pages	939-942
ISBN (Electronic)	978-91-8118-266-8
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.3384/ecp218939
Publication status	Published - 24 Oct 2025
Event	16th International Modelica & FMI Conference 2025 - Lucerne School of Computer Science and Information Technology, Luzern, Switzerland Duration: 8 Sept 2025 → 10 Sept 2025 Conference number: 16 https://modelica.org/events/modelica2025/

Conference

Conference	16th International Modelica & FMI Conference 2025
Country/Territory	Switzerland
City	Luzern
Period	8/09/25 → 10/09/25
Internet address	https://modelica.org/events/modelica2025/

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

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10.3384/ecp218939Licence: CC BY

16_IMOC_paper_76Final published version, 793 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

@inproceedings{164df4d40758468bbddf03b41bebfe86,

title = "Physics-Based Dynamic Modeling of Solar-Powered Off-Grid Cold Storage for Perishables Using Modelica: A Case Study – Xingalool, Somalia",

abstract = "This paper presents a dynamic, physics-based Modelica model for simulating solar-powered, off-grid cold storage systems used to preserve perishables. A preliminary component library, developed using the Modelica Standard Library, supports modular modeling of photovoltaic (PV)-powered chillers, thermal loads, and latent thermal energy storage (LTES), which maintains cooling during non-solar hours. The library is applied to a 200 m³ cold room in Xingalool, Somalia, designed to stay at 5 °C. A case study simulating 500 kg of crop loading at 8:00 and unloading at 17:00 demonstrates the system{\textquoteright}s dynamic behavior under realistic solar and ambient conditions.",

author = "\{Bakhsh Zahmatkesh\}, Bahareh and Mina Shahi and Amirhoushang Mahmoudi",

year = "2025",

month = oct,

day = "24",

doi = "10.3384/ecp218939",

language = "English",

pages = "939--942",

booktitle = "16th International Modelica\&FMI Conference",

note = "16th International Modelica \& FMI Conference 2025 ; Conference date: 08-09-2025 Through 10-09-2025",

url = "https://modelica.org/events/modelica2025/",

}

Physics-Based Dynamic Modeling of Solar-Powered Off-Grid Cold Storage for Perishables Using Modelica: A Case Study – Xingalool, Somalia. / Bakhsh Zahmatkesh, Bahareh; Shahi, Mina ; Mahmoudi, Amirhoushang.
16th International Modelica&FMI Conference. 2025. p. 939-942.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution › Academic › peer-review

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AU - Mahmoudi, Amirhoushang

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N2 - This paper presents a dynamic, physics-based Modelica model for simulating solar-powered, off-grid cold storage systems used to preserve perishables. A preliminary component library, developed using the Modelica Standard Library, supports modular modeling of photovoltaic (PV)-powered chillers, thermal loads, and latent thermal energy storage (LTES), which maintains cooling during non-solar hours. The library is applied to a 200 m³ cold room in Xingalool, Somalia, designed to stay at 5 °C. A case study simulating 500 kg of crop loading at 8:00 and unloading at 17:00 demonstrates the system’s dynamic behavior under realistic solar and ambient conditions.

AB - This paper presents a dynamic, physics-based Modelica model for simulating solar-powered, off-grid cold storage systems used to preserve perishables. A preliminary component library, developed using the Modelica Standard Library, supports modular modeling of photovoltaic (PV)-powered chillers, thermal loads, and latent thermal energy storage (LTES), which maintains cooling during non-solar hours. The library is applied to a 200 m³ cold room in Xingalool, Somalia, designed to stay at 5 °C. A case study simulating 500 kg of crop loading at 8:00 and unloading at 17:00 demonstrates the system’s dynamic behavior under realistic solar and ambient conditions.

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DO - 10.3384/ecp218939

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Y2 - 8 September 2025 through 10 September 2025

ER -

Physics-Based Dynamic Modeling of Solar-Powered Off-Grid Cold Storage for Perishables Using Modelica: A Case Study – Xingalool, Somalia

Abstract

Conference

UN SDGs

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