Are green offices better than conventional?

Facilities ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (11/12) ◽  
pp. 622-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzaini M. Zaid ◽  
Amir Kiani Rad ◽  
Nurshuhada Zainon
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Green Buildings ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Office Building ◽  
Performance Gap ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Operational Energy ◽  
Better Than

Purpose Global warming and climate change is one of the biggest issues facing humanity in this century; its effects are felt on the highest peaks of Mount Everest to the low-lying islands in the India Ocean. This century marked the highest amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted, breaking records of the past 650,000 years, and we have pushed the climate to “a point of no return”. Much of the climate contribution has been linked to humanity’s thirst for higher living standards and lifestyle, which has led to higher consumerism, depletion of earth’s resources, production of massive waste and carbon emissions. Fast forward from the sustainability agenda of Brundtland set in 1987 and the increasing demand for energy consumption to cater for the current global inhabitants, many “green” efforts have been taken by the building industry to reduce the overall environmental impact. This purpose of this study is to compare energy performance of a conventional office building with a green certified building. Design/methodology/approach This paper tries to bridge the performance gap by comparing measured operational energy consumption and carbon emission of Green Building Index (GBI)-certified office buildings in Kuala Lumpur, to determine whether “green buildings” are performing as intended in reducing their environmental impact. Findings This paper highlighted and compared operational energy consumption and carbon emissions of a GBI-certified office with a conventional office building in Malaysia. The paper also discusses the performance gap issue and its common causes, and aims to compare predicted energy and operational energy performance of buildings. Originality/value Initiatives such as “green” or “sustainable” design have been at the forefront of architecture, while green assessment tools have been used to predict the energy performance of a building during its operational phase. There is still a significant performance gap between predicted or simulated energy measurements to actual operational energy consumption. The need to measure actual performance of these so-called “green buildings” is important to investigate if there is a performance gap and whether these buildings can perform better than conventional buildings. Understanding why the performance gap occurs is a step in reducing actual and predicted energy performance in buildings.

CASE STUDY OF THE OPERATIONAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND CARBON EMISSIONS FROM A BUILDING IN NANJING BASED ON A SYSTEM DYNAMICS APPROACH

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 126-142
Author(s):  
Changhai Peng ◽  
Jianqiang Yang ◽  
Jinfu Huang
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
System Dynamics ◽  
Carbon Emissions ◽  
Office Building ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
Operational Energy ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Global Energy Consumption ◽  
Sd Model

Buildings are responsible for more than forty percent of global energy consumption and as much as one third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, the energy conservation and exhaust reduction of a building can be easily understood by accurately calculating a building's carbon emissions during its operational stage. In the present study, a system dynamics (SD) approach to calculate the energy consumption and carbon emissions from a building during its operational stage is quantitatively developed through a case study on an office building in Nanjing. The obtained results demonstrate that: a) the difference between the results of SD and that of EnergyPlus is so small that a SD approach is acceptable; b) the variation between the real monitored data and that of simulation by SD and EnergyPlus is reasonable; c) the physical meanings of the variables in the SD model are clear; d) the parameters of the SD model and the relationships between the variables can be determined by a qualitative-and-quantitative combined analysis.

scholarly journals ANALYSING THE GAP BETWEEN PREDICTED AND ACTUAL OPERATIONAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN BUILDINGS: A REVIEW

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Rajithan ◽  
◽  
D. Soorige ◽  
S.D.I.A. Amarasinghe ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Energy Simulation ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Performance Gap ◽  
Operational Energy ◽  
Significant Performance

Operational energy consumption in buildings has a crucial impact on global energy consumption. Nevertheless, significant energy savings can be achieved in buildings if properly designed, constructed, and operated. Building Energy Simulation (BES) plays a vital role in the design and optimisation of buildings. BES is used to compare the cost-effectiveness of energy-conservation measures in the design stage and assess various performance optimisation measures during the operational phase. However, there is a significant ‘performance gap’ between the predicted and the actual energy performance of buildings. This gap has reduced the trust and application of the BES. This article focused on investigating BES, reasons that lead to a performance gap between predicted and actual operational energy consumption of buildings, and the ways of minimising the gap. The article employed a comprehensive literature review as the research methodology. Findings revealed that reasons such as limited understanding of the building design, the complexity of the building design, poor commissioning, occupants’ behaviour, etc., influence the energy performance gap. After that, the strategies have been identified to minimise the energy performance gap such as proper commissioning, creating general models to observe occupants’ behaviour in buildings, and using the general models for energy simulation, ensuring better construction and quality through training and education, etc. Further, the findings of this study could be implemented by practitioners in the construction industry to effectively use energy simulation applications in designing energy-efficient and sustainable buildings.

Energy efficiency practices for Malaysian green office building occupants

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chukwuka Christian Ohueri ◽  
Wallace Imoudu Enegbuma ◽  
Russell Kenley
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Office Buildings ◽  
Strategy Training ◽  
Office Building ◽  
Performance Gap ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Behavioural Strategy ◽  
Reduce Energy Consumption

Purpose Green building construction was adopted as a strategy to reduce energy consumption and the overall impact of the built environment on our natural environment. However, in Malaysia, previous studies have reaffirmed that green office buildings consume a substantial amount of energy, compared to their counterparts in Singapore. Moreover, there is still a significant performance gap between predicted energy measurements and actual operational energy consumption of green office buildings in Malaysia, due to occupants’ behavioural discrepancies. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop energy efficiency practices for occupants of green office buildings in Malaysia. The developed practices integrate technology, organisation policy, and occupants’ behavioural strategies, in order to reduce the energy consumption of green office buildings in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach To achieve the research goal, a mixed (quantitative and qualitative) research method was used to collect data from the research population. In total, 53 respondents working in a green office building complex in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia were surveyed using a questionnaire. Additionally, three top management staff of the green office building and two Malaysian construction professionals were interviewed. The study adopted convenience sampling technique in selecting the research respondents. The data from the questionnaire were analysed using SPSS software (version 22) while the interview data were analysed via thematic content analysis. Findings The findings suggest that the integration of technological strategy (use of BIM tools, sustainable building materials, etc.); organisational strategy (develop, implement and evaluate action plans, use of monitor/control systems, etc.); and occupants behavioural strategy (training, incentives, occupants energy efficiency guide, etc.) will critically reduce energy consumption of green office buildings in Malaysia. Originality/value Based on the findings, energy efficiency practices are developed to guide occupants in reducing the energy consumption of green office buildings in Malaysia. This strategy will contribute to reducing the performance gap that exists between predicted energy and actual energy use of green office buildings in Malaysia. However, the developed energy efficiency practices need to be validated to ascertain its workability in the green office building context.

Recommended angle of a modular dynamic façade in hot-arid climate: daylighting and energy simulation

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyedeh Samaneh Golzan ◽  
Mina Pouyanmehr ◽  
Hassan Sadeghi Naeini
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Arid Climate ◽  
Visual Comfort ◽  
Building Envelopes ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Optimum Angle ◽  
Energy Efficient Buildings ◽  
Hot Arid Climate

PurposeThe modular dynamic façade (MDF) concept could be an approach in a comfort-centric design through proper integration with energy-efficient buildings. This study focuses on obtaining and/or calculating an efficient angle of the MDF, which would lead to the optimum performance in daylight availability and energy consumption in a single south-faced official space located in the hot-arid climate of Yazd, Iran.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology consists of three fundamental parts: (1) based on previous related studies, a diamond-based dynamic skin façade was applied to a south-faced office building in a hot-arid climate; (2) the daylighting and energy performance of the model were simulated annually; and (3) the data obtained from the simulation were compared to reach the optimum angle of the MDF.FindingsThe results showed that when the angle of the MDF openings was set at 30°, it could decrease energy consumption by 41.32% annually, while daylight simulation pointed that the space experienced the minimum possible glare at this angle. Therefore, the angle of 30° was established as the optimum angle, which could be the basis for future investment in responsive building envelopes.Originality/valueThis angular study simultaneously assesses the daylight availability, visual comfort and energy consumption on a MDF in a hot-arid climate.

A design approach towards sustainable buildings in Algeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 229-245
Author(s):  
Sofiane Rahmouni ◽  
Rachid Smail
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
Design Approach ◽  
Office Building ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Sustainable Buildings ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Efficiency Measures

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to achieve the national strategic agenda’s criteria that aim for accomplishing sustainable buildings by estimating the effects of energy efficiency measures in order to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emission. Design/methodology/approach A design approach has been developed based on simulation software and a modeled building. Therefore, a typical office building is considered for testing five efficiency measures in three climatic conditions in Algeria. This approach is conducted in two phases: first, the analysis of each measure’s effect is independently carried out in terms of cooling energy and heating energy intensities. Then, a combination of optimal measures for each climate zone is measured in terms of three sustainable indicators: final energy consumption, energy cost saving and CO2 emission. Findings The results reveal that a combination of optimal measures has a substantial impact on building energy saving and CO2 emission. This saving can rise to 41 and 31 percent in a hot and cold climate, respectively. Furthermore, it is concluded that obtaining higher building performance, different design alternatives should be adapted to the climate proprieties and the local construction materials must be applied. Originality/value This study is considered as an opportunity for achieving the national strategy, as it may contribute in improving office building performance and demonstrating a suitable tool to assist stakeholders in the decision making of most important parameters in the design stage for new or retrofit buildings.

Influence of building and indoor environmental parameters on designing energy-efficient buildings

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen O. Eromobor ◽  
Dillip Kumar Das ◽  
Fidelis Emuze
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Environmental Parameters ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Window Width ◽  
University Buildings ◽  
Building Parameters

PurposeArguments for the design of sustainable university buildings have emerged in South Africa. Energy being a major determinant of the sustainability of buildings, the purpose of this study was to examine the influence of various building and indoor environmental parameters on the energy performance of university buildings in South Africa.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative survey research method, administered within the context of university buildings in South Africa, was used. Data about 16 buildings from three universities were collected. Relevant, inferential statistical analyses were conducted to examine the relative influence of the building parameters on the energy consumed in the buildings. Also, regression models within building parameters were developed independently and in a combination that could be used to estimate energy consumption in the university buildings.FindingsFindings suggested that building and indoor environmental parameters of humidity, indoor temperature, volume, illumination, and window width ratio (WWR), in that order, influenced energy consumption significantly, and also, had direct empirical relationships.Practical implicationsOptimising the building and indoor environmental parameters in design will enhance energy-efficiency in university buildings in South Africa.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature in terms of understanding the order of influence of building parameters on energy consumption in university buildings in the temperate climatic zone of South Africa. It also established empirical models between building and indoor environmental parameters and energy consumption, both independently and in combination, that could assist in designing energy-efficient and sustainable university buildings.

Building performance in the context of industry pressures

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 527-543
Author(s):  
Craig Robertson ◽  
Dejan Mumovic
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Performance Assessment ◽  
Energy Gap ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Performance ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Web Based ◽  
Actual Performance ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – This paper aims to explore the relationship between designed and actual building performance as represented in an Royal Institute of British Architects- and Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers-backed web-based comparison platform and the industry perception of the pressures surrounding building performance assessment. European directives and UK Parliamentary Acts have resulted in a range of mechanisms aimed at encouraging monitoring of energy consumption, responsive management and evidence-based design. Web-based feedback platforms aim to feed evaluation data back to industry anonymously; however, there exists a range of barriers and disincentives that prevent widespread and habitual engagement with building evaluation. Design/methodology/approach – Using energy data from the CarbonBuzzweb platform and a series of semi-structured interviews, a mixed-methods study has been carried out. Analysis of the characteristics of the existing energy discrepancy between designed and actual performance shows where variance typically occurs. Interviews with industry actors presents a synopsis of the perceived and actual legislative and procedural pressures that exist in relation to building performance assessment. Findings – The conclusions of this paper identify weaknesses in the current legislative and incentivisation mechanisms with regard to targeting building energy performance and industrial pressures that hinder broader industry engagement with post-occupancy evaluation. Originality/value – The recommendations arising from this study are for adjustments to the existing legislative framework to increase participation in meaningful building energy evaluation targeted at the specifics of the energy gap and the motivations of industrial actors. This will specifically help to reduce building energy consumption and associated carbon emissions.

scholarly journals Impact of orientation and building envelope characteristics on energy consumption case study of office building in city of Nis

2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (Suppl. 5) ◽  
pp. 1499-1509
Author(s):  
Miomir Vasov ◽  
Jelena Stevanovic ◽  
Veliborka Bogdanovic ◽  
Marko Ignjatovic ◽  
Dusan Randjelovic
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Office Building ◽  
Climatic Data ◽  
Building Energy Efficiency ◽  
Maximum Difference ◽  
Heating And Cooling

Buildings are one of the biggest energy consumers in urban environments, so its efficient use represents a constant challenge. In public objects and households, a large part of the energy is used for heating and cooling. The orientation of the object, as well as the overall heat transfer coefficient (U-value) of transparent and non-transparent parts of the envelope, can have a significant impact on building energy needs. In this paper, analysis of the influence of different orientations, U-values of envelope elements, and size of windows on annual heating and cooling energy for an office building in city of Nis, Serbia, is presented. Model of the building was made in the Google SketchUp software, while the results of energy performance were obtained using EnergyPlus and jEplus, taking into ac-count the parameters of thermal comfort and climatic data for the area of city of Nis. Obtained results showed that, for varied parameters, the maximum difference in annual heating energy is 15129.4 kWh, i. e per m2 27.75 kWh/m2, while the maximum difference in annual cooling energy is 14356.1 kWh, i. e per m2 26.33 kWh/m2. Considering that differences in energy consumption are significant, analysis of these parameters in the early stage of design process can affect on increase of building energy efficiency.

scholarly journals Understanding the energy performance GAP: case studies of energy efficient homes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moe Otsubo
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Initial Energy ◽  
Energy Simulation ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Performance Gap ◽  
Energy Models ◽  
Dynamic Energy Simulation ◽  
Actual Energy Consumption

The energy performance gap between the predicted and actual energy consumption of 3 LEED for Homes certified buildings were investigated. The actual energy consumptions of the homes were found to be 23 to 77% higher than the initial energy consumption predictions made during the design stage. Revisions to the HOT2000 models to account for changes made between the design and occupancy phase of the buildings helped reduce the gap (9 to 40%). The sources of the discrepancies were found to be related to the energy modeling program’s limitations, inconsistency between the energy model and the actual building, and additional loads in the homes. The HOT2000 program, which is used for obtaining the EnerGuide rating for LEED certified homes, was compared against a dynamic energy simulation program to assess the applicability of the use of the former for energy efficient homes. The use of EnergyPlus not only allowed for a more accurate representation of the actual homes in the energy models, but an increase in the EnerGuide rating for the home was seen, which in turn equates to additional points for the home under the “Energy & Atmosphere” category for the LEED for Homes certification process

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document