scholarly journals Energy and Environmental Evaluation of Retrofitting Facades for Zero Energy Buildings: The Case of an Office Building in Greece

2021 ◽  
Vol 2069 (1) ◽  
pp. 012108
Author(s):  
Effrosyni Giama ◽  
Elli Kyriaki ◽  
Panagiota Antoniadou ◽  
Maria Symeonidou ◽  
Agis M. Papadopoulos
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Office Building ◽  
Positive Energy ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Environmental Evaluation ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Eu Policies ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Energy and environmental targets are expressed clearly by the EU policies setting ambitious goals for 2030 and 2050 considering energy intensive sectors such as buildings. Pursuing high energy performance with the least environmental impact of a building, along with ensuring the well-being of the occupants, is the ultimate goal of an institutional framework that addresses energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. Part of this effort is the improvement of the building envelope’s thermal performance, along with the respective one of HVAC systems, as those determine thee energy performance of buildings in their use phase. Main scope of the paper is to evaluate and analyse different scenarios considering the retrofitting of facades as part of the refurbishment towards Zero and Positive Energy Buildings, but also in connection with the strive for Net Zero Energy, Net Zero Cost Energy and Net Zero Emissions goals. The paper also discusses energy and environmental evaluation of refurbishing an office building in Greece, examining the performance of different envelope construction typologies and alternative insulation scenarios. These scenarios include state of the art insulation techniques, but also innovative design elements such as the use of different final coating materials for ventilated façades like the use of phase-changing materials (PCMs). The results of the assessment undertaken are used to rate the construction solutions by means of energy and environmental parameters proving the environmental impact of concrete and insulation materials in construction phase but also the reduced primary energy consumption and thus the CO2 emissions in the life cycle of the building. Considering the environmental evaluation, the carbon footprint analysis was used according to Greenhouse Gas Protocol focusing mainly on CO2 emissions, which is the main emission target of EU policies. The impact assessment followed demonstrated that the most significant impact categories are global warming, acidification and eutrophication.

Potential Impacts of Net-Zero Energy Buildings With Distributed Photovoltaic Power Generation on the U.S. Electrical Grid

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongsu Kim ◽  
Heejin Cho ◽  
Rogelio Luck
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Electricity Demand ◽  
Office Building ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Electrical Grid ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Simulation Based ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The U.S

This study evaluates the potential aggregate effects of net-zero energy building (NZEB) implementations on the electrical grid in a simulation-based analysis. To estimate the impact of NZEBs on the electrical grid, a simulation-based study of an office building with a grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) power generation system is conducted. This study assumes that net-metering is available for NZEBs such that the excess on-site PV generation can be fed to the electrical grid. The impact of electrical energy storage (EES) within NZEBs on the electrical grid is also considered in this study. Different levels of NZEB adoption are examined: 20%, 50%, and 100% of the U.S. office building stock. Results indicate that significant penetration of NZEBs could potentially affect the current U.S. electricity demand profiles by reducing purchased electricity from the electrical grid and by increasing exported electricity to the electrical grid during peak hours. Annual electricity consumption of simulated office NZEBs in the U.S. climate locations is in the range of around 94–132 kWh/m2 yr. Comparison of hourly electricity demand profiles for the actual U.S. demand versus the calculated net-demand on a national scales indicates that the peak percentage difference of the U.S. net-electricity demand includes about 10.7%, 15.2%, and 9.3% for 100% of the U.S. NZEB stock on representative summer, transition, and winter days, respectively. Using EES within NZEBs, the peak percentage differences are reduced and shifted to the afternoon, including 8.6%, 13.3%, and 6.3% for 100% of the U.S. NZEB stock on each representative day.

Potential Impacts of Net-Zero Energy Buildings With Distributed Photovoltaic (PV) Power Generation on the Electrical Grid

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongsu Kim ◽  
Heejin Cho ◽  
Rogelio Luck
Keyword(s):  
Power Generation ◽  
Electricity Demand ◽  
Office Buildings ◽  
Office Building ◽  
Electrical Grid ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Demand Profile ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Pv Power Generation ◽  
The U.S

This study evaluates potential aggregate effects of net-zero energy building (NZEB) implementations on the electrical grid in simulation-based analysis. Many studies have been conducted on how effective NZEB designs can be achieved, however the potential impact of NZEBs have not been explored sufficiently. As significant penetration of NZEBs occurs, the aggregated electricity demand profile of the buildings on the electrical grid would experience dramatic changes. To estimate the impact of NZEBs on the electrical grid, a simulation-based study of an office building with a grid-tied PV power generation system is conducted. This study assumes that net-metering is available for NZEBs such that the excess on-site PV generation can be fed to the electrical grid. The impact of electrical energy storage (EES) within NZEBs on the electrical grid is also considered in this study. Finally, construction weighting factors of the office building type in U.S. climate zones are used to estimate the number of national office buildings. In order to consider the adoption of NZEBs in the future, this study examines scenarios with 20%, 50%, and 100% of the U.S. office building stock are composed of NZEBs. Results show that annual electricity consumption of simulated office buildings in U.S. climate locations includes the range of around 85 kWh/m2-year to 118 kWh/m2-year. Each simulated office building employs around 242 kWp to 387 kWp of maximum power outputs in the installation of on-site PV power systems to enable NZEB balances. On a national scale, the daily on-site PV power generation within NZEBs can cover around 50% to 110% of total daily electricity used in office buildings depending on weather conditions. The peak difference of U.S. electricity demand typically occurs when solar radiation is at its highest. The peak differences from the actual U.S. electricity demand on the representative summer day show 9.8%, 4.9%, and 2.0% at 12 p.m. for 100%, 50%, and 20% of the U.S. NZEB stocks, respectively. Using EES within NZEBs, the peak differences are reduced and shifted from noon to the beginning of the day, including 7.7%, 3.9%, and 1.5% for each percentage U.S. NZEB stock. NZEBs tend to create the significant curtailment of the U.S. electricity demand profile, typically during the middle of the winter day. The percentage differences at a peak point (12 p.m.) are 8.3%, 4.2%, and 1.7% for 100%, 50%, and 20% of the U.S. NZEB stocks, respectively. However, using EES on the representative winter day can flatten curtailed electricity demand curves by shifting the peak difference point to the beginning and the late afternoon of the day. The shifted peak differences show 7.4%, 3.7%, and 1.5% at 9 a.m. for three U.S. NZEB stock scenarios, respectively.

scholarly journals Transformation of an Office Building into a Nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB): Implications for Thermal and Visual Comfort and Energy Performance

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilaria Ballarini ◽  
Giovanna De Luca ◽  
Argun Paragamyan ◽  
Anna Pellegrino ◽  
Vincenzo Corrado
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Office Building ◽  
Indoor Environmental Quality ◽  
Visual Comfort ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Efficiency Measures

Directive 2010/31/EU promotes the refurbishment of existing buildings to change them into nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEBs). Within this framework, it is of crucial importance to guarantee the best trade-off between energy performance and indoor environmental quality (IEQ). The implications of a global refurbishment scenario on thermal and visual comfort are assessed in this paper pertaining to an existing office building. The retrofit actions applied to achieve the nZEB target consist of a combination of envelope and technical building systems refurbishment measures, involving both HVAC and lighting. Energy and comfort calculations were carried out through dynamic simulation using Energy Plus and DIVA, for the thermal and visual performance assessments, respectively. The results point out that energy retrofit actions on the building envelope would lead to significant improvements in the thermal performance, regarding both energy savings (−37% of the annual primary energy for heating) and thermal comfort. However, a daylighting reduction would occur with a consequent higher electricity demand for lighting (36%). The research presents a detailed approach applicable to further analyses aimed at optimizing the energy efficiency measures in order to reduce the imbalance between visual and thermal comfort and to ensure the best performance in both domains.

scholarly journals Modeling Nearly Zero Energy Buildings for Sustainable Development in Rural Areas

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 2593 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Khakian ◽  
Mehrdad Karimimoshaver ◽  
Farshid Aram ◽  
Soghra Zoroufchi Benis ◽  
Amir Mosavi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Saving ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Payback Period ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Multiple Parameters ◽  
Shading Devices ◽  
The Impact

The energy performance of buildings and energy-saving measures have been widely investigated in recent years. However, little attention has been paid to buildings located in rural areas. The aim of this study is to assess the energy performance of two-story residential buildings located in the mountainous village of Palangan in Iran and to evaluate the impact of multiple parameters, namely building orientation, window-to-wall ratio (WWR), glazing type, shading devices, and insulation, on its energy performance. To attain a nearly zero energy building design in rural areas, the building is equipped with photovoltaic modules. The proposed building design is then economically evaluated to ensure its viability. The findings indicate that an energy saving of 29% can be achieved compared to conventional buildings, and over 22 MWh of electricity can be produced on an annual basis. The payback period is assessed at 21.7 years. However, energy subsidies are projected to be eliminated in the near future, which in turn may reduce the payback period.

Environmental Evaluation for Three Typical MSW Incineration Based on Life Cycle Assessment

2013 ◽  
Vol 850-851 ◽  
pp. 1360-1363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Yi Ma ◽  
Xing Yu Chen ◽  
Wei Su
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Weight Factor ◽  
Absorption Process ◽  
Environment Impact ◽  
Environmental Implication ◽  
Environment Friendly ◽  
Environmental Evaluation ◽  
Msw Incineration ◽  
Minimal Environmental Impact ◽  
The Impact

Garbage incineration is an effective minimization and resource processing methods, but there are no comparative analysises about the environmental impact of incineration processes. To investigate the environmental impacts of three typical MSW incineration processes, we modeled scenarios, calculated energy consumed and six aspects which classified as GWP, ODP, AP, EP, POCP and DUST. The classification results showed the value of the environment impact potential respectively. The impact potential of heat recover-dry absorption processes according to normalized results in descending order is GWP>EP>DUST>AP>POCP>ODP, in contrast the rank of heat recover-wet absorption and semidry processes is GWP>EP>AP>DUST>POCP>ODP, global warming impacts is the most significant penitential factor. The rank of impact potential according to weight factor in descending order is GWP>EP>DUST>AP>ODP>POCP. Dust potential became more significant. The weight factor of Dust is almost twice as much as that of AP. This is because there is a large gap between baseline level and the target level, the solid-waste are the focus of control in these years. In environmental terms, the environmental depletion index of heat recover-dry absorption process is lowest with minimal environmental impact and the heat recover-wet absorption process is the highest with largest environmental impact. The incineration with dry absorption program is the best environment-friendly process in term of environmental impact. Utilization of waste water and reducing total amount of water entering the system can effectively reduce the environmental implication for both HW and HS processes.

Towards Net-Zero Energy Buildings: A Case Study in Humid Subtropical Climate

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Owen Betharte ◽  
Hamidreza Najafi ◽  
Troy Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Subtropical Climate ◽  
Efficiency Improvement ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Energy Efficiency Improvement ◽  
Net Zero Energy ◽  
Net Zero

The growing world-wide energy demand and environmental considerations have attracted immense attention in building energy efficiency. Climate zone plays a major role in the process of decision making for energy efficiency projects. In the present paper, an office building located in Melbourne, FL is considered. The building is built in 1961 and the goal is to identify and prioritize the potential energy saving opportunities and retrofit the existing building into a Net-Zero Energy Building (NZEB). An energy assessment is performed and a baseline model is developed using eQUEST to simulate the energy performance of the building. Several possible energy efficiency improvement scenarios are considered and assessed through simulation including improving insulation on the walls and roof, replacing HVAC units and upgrade their control strategies, use of high efficiency lighting, and more. Selected energy efficiency improvement recommendations are implemented on the building model to achieve the lowest energy consumption. It is considered that photovoltaic (PV) panels will be used to supply the energy demand of the building. Simulations are also performed to determine the number of required PV panels and associated cost of the system is estimated. The results from this paper can help with the decision making regarding retrofit projects for NZEB in humid subtropical climate.

scholarly journals Performance Analysis of Photovoltaic Integrated Shading Devices (PVSDs) and Semi-Transparent Photovoltaic (STPV) Devices Retrofitted to a Prototype Office Building in a Hot Desert Climate

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 10145
Author(s):  
Abdelhakim Mesloub ◽  
Aritra Ghosh ◽  
Mabrouk Touahmia ◽  
Ghazy Abdullah Albaqawy ◽  
Emad Noaime ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Essential Feature ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Office Building ◽  
Visual Comfort ◽  
Extra Energy ◽  
Shading Devices ◽  
Parametric Analyses ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Desert Climate

This paper presents the impact on energy performance and visual comfort of retrofitting photovoltaic integrated shading devices (PVSDs) to the façade of a prototype office building in a hot desert climate. EnergyPlus™ and the DIVA-for-Rhino© plug-ins were used to perform numerical simulations and parametric analyses examining the energy performance and visual comfort of five configurations, namely: (1) inclined single panel PVSDs, (2) unfilled eggcrate PVSDs, (3) a louvre PVSD of ten slats tilted 30° outward, (4) a louvre PVSD of five slats tilted 30° outward, and (5) an STPV module with 20% transparency which were then compared to a reference office building (ROB) model. The field measurements of an off-grid system at various tilt angles provided an optimum tilt angle of 30°. A 30° tilt was then integrated into some of the PVSD designs. The results revealed that the integration of PVSDs significantly improved overall energy performance and reduced glare. The unfilled eggcrate PVSD did not only have the highest conversion efficiency at ȵ 20% but generated extra energy as well; an essential feature in the hot desert climate of Saudi Arabia.

scholarly journals Investigating the impacts of a changing climate on the risk of overheating and energy performance for a UK retirement village adapted to the nZEB standards

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 470-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radwa Salem ◽  
Ali Bahadori-Jahromi ◽  
Anastasia Mylona
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Changing Climate ◽  
Retirement Village

The death toll of the 2003 heat wave in Europe exceeded 35,000 heat-related deaths. The elderly population were the most affected. The current paradigm within the construction industry in cold-dominant countries is to design/retrofit buildings with high levels of insulation. Whilst thermal comfort may be reached during colder months with this approach, the risk of overheating can be increased during hotter months. This paper aims to examine the impacts of a changing climate on the risk of overheating and energy performance for a UK retirement village. For this study, the buildings within the retirement village will be designed to reach the nearly zero energy building standard. Consequently, the risk of overheating of the buildings within the retirement village as they currently stand and as zero energy buildings will be investigated under current and future climatic conditions. The analysis is carried out using thermal analysis simulation software (TAS, Edsl). Combined heat and power and combined cooling, heat and power will be investigated as mitigating strategies with regard to overheating. The results of this study do not undermine the importance of continuing to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings but rather highlight that the approach undertaken should be reconsidered. Practical application: Currently, there is emphasis placed on retrofitting and designing buildings, with high energy efficiency standards. Whilst this is in line with our vision as a society towards reaching a decarbonised, sustainable future, this work highlights that doing so, carries risks with regard to overheating. Nonetheless, the results demonstrate that with the incorporation of suitable mitigation strategies and adequate ventilation strategies, it is possible to achieve an energy efficient building that meets the heating and cooling demand (and thereby thermal comfort of occupants) during the heating and non-heating season.

scholarly journals Energy Evaluation of a PV-Based Test Facility for Assessing Future Self-Sufficient Buildings

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 329
Author(s):  
Angela Amato ◽  
Matteo Bilardo ◽  
Enrico Fabrizio ◽  
Valentina Serra ◽  
Filippo Spertino
Keyword(s):  
Real Life ◽  
Lithium Ion ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Test Facility ◽  
Local Energy ◽  
Community Concept ◽  
Energy Sharing ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Photovoltaic Generators

In recent years, investigations on advanced technological solutions aiming to achieve high-energy performance in buildings have been carried out by research centers and universities, in accordance with the reduction in buildings’ energy consumption required by European Union. However, even if the research and design of new technological solutions makes it possible to achieve the regulatory objectives, a building’s performance during operation deviates from simulations. To deepen this topic, interesting studies have focused on testing these solutions on full-scale facilities used for real-life activities. In this context, a test facility will be built in the university campus of Politecnico di Torino (Italy). The facility has been designed to be an all-electric nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB), where heating and cooling demand will be fulfilled by an air-source heat pump and photovoltaic generators will meet the energy demand. In this paper, the facility energy performance is evaluated through a dynamic simulation model. To improve energy self-sufficiency, the integration of lithium-ion batteries in a HVAC system is investigated and their storage size is optimized. Moreover, the facility has been divided into three units equipped with independent electric systems with the aim of estimating the benefits of local energy sharing. The simulation results clarify that the facility meets the expected energy performance, and that it is consistent with a typical European nZEB. The results also demonstrate that the local use of photovoltaic energy can be enhanced thanks to batteries and local energy sharing, achieving a greater independence from the external electrical grid. Furthermore, the analysis of the impact of the local energy sharing makes the case study of particular interest, as it represents a simplified approach to the energy community concept. Thus, the results clarify the academic potential for this facility, in terms of both research and didactic purposes.

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