scholarly journals Cost-Effectiveness Evaluation of Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings for the Aging of Red Wine

Agronomy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 687
Author(s):  
María Teresa Gómez-Villarino ◽  
María del Mar Barbero-Barrera ◽  
Fernando R. Mazarrón ◽  
Ignacio Cañas
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Red Wine ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Wine Production ◽  
Wine Aging ◽  
Zero Energy Buildings

Achieving the best energy performance has become an important goal. The European Union has consequently developed legislative measures that introduce the concepts of nearly zero-energy buildings and cost-effectiveness during life-cycle. We use these concepts, looking for the design of energy-efficient wineries, while reducing wine production costs. The research method is based on the monitoring of temperature and humidity of 12 red wine aging rooms of representative construction designs with almost zero energy consumption that together with the economic data obtained from construction cost update, determine a parameter that has been called “construction effectiveness”. This parameter allows the evaluation of the cost–benefit ratio of each of the analyzed constructions. The results obtained demonstrate that adequate conditions can be achieved for the wine aging with zero-energy buildings, although there are notable differences in cost, damping effectiveness, and resulting hygrothermal environment depending on the type of building. The correlation between performance and construction costs shows large differences in cost per unit of damping achieved: 0.5–2.7 €/m2 for temperature and 0.6–5 €/m2 for relative humidity. With a correct design, the differences between typologies can be reduced or even non-existent. The results obtained can be a valuable tool to promote the design of zero-energy warehouses.

scholarly journals Renovation of Public Buildings towards nZEB: A Case Study of a Nursing Home

Buildings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mihaela Teni ◽  
Ksenija Čulo ◽  
Hrvoje Krstić
Keyword(s):  
Nursing Home ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Construction Technology ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Public Buildings ◽  
Zero Energy Buildings ◽  
Construction Periods

Recently, the European Union set new rules for the Energy Performance of Buildings emphasizing the need to facilitate the cost-effective renovation of existing buildings into nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEB). Within this framework, the aim of this paper is to investigate and evaluate the energy performance of existing public buildings before and after renovation into nearly zero-energy buildings. Since the general quality of existing buildings in Croatia has changed over different periods of construction, the presented research was conducted on a representative nursing home designed corresponding to different Croatian national building stock construction periods, based on a public sector buildings database obtained from the Croatian Energy Management Information System (EMIS). The thermal performance of the building envelope was designed to correspond to the periods of buildings built up to 1940, between 1941 and 1970, and between 1971 and 1980, taking into account characteristic building construction technology and service life. In terms of adopted energy efficiency measures, for all nearly zero-energy building renovation solutions, an energy and cost analysis was performed. The results showed that construction technology applied in different construction periods has the greatest impact on the energy performance of a building and thus on the economic and financial viability of investment in nZEB.

scholarly journals Modeling Energy Efficiency Performance and Cost-Benefit Analysis Achieving Net-Zero Energy Building Design: Case Studies of Three Representative Offices in Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5201
Author(s):  
Kittisak Lohwanitchai ◽  
Daranee Jareemit
Keyword(s):  
High Efficiency ◽  
Energy Gap ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Office Buildings ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Zero Energy Building ◽  
Investment Cost ◽  
High Investment

The concept of a zero energy building is a significant sustainable strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The challenges of zero energy building (ZEB) achievement in Thailand are that the design approach to reach ZEB in office buildings is unclear and inconsistent. In addition, its implementation requires a relatively high investment cost. This study proposes a guideline for cost-optimal design to achieve the ZEB for three representative six-story office buildings in hot and humid Thailand. The energy simulations of envelope designs incorporating high-efficiency systems are carried out using eQuest and daylighting simulation using DIALux evo. The final energy consumptions meet the national ZEB target but are higher than the rooftop PV generation. To reduce such an energy gap, the ratios of building height to width are proposed. The cost-benefit of investment in ZEB projects provides IRRs ranging from 10.73 to 13.85%, with payback periods of 7.2 to 8.5 years. The energy savings from the proposed designs account for 79.2 to 81.6% of the on-site energy use. The investment of high-performance glazed-windows in the small office buildings is unprofitable (NPVs = −14.77–−46.01). These research results could help architects and engineers identify the influential parameters and significant considerations for the ZEB design. Strategies and technical support to improve energy performance in large and mid-rise buildings towards ZEB goals associated with the high investment cost need future investigations.

scholarly journals How will climate alter efficiency objectives? Simulated impact of using recent versus historic european weather data for the cost-optimal design of nearly zero energy buildings (NZEBs)

2019 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 04051
Author(s):  
Delia D’Agostino ◽  
Danny S. Parker
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Weather Data ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Economic Optimization ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Zero Energy Buildings

Achieving “nearly zero energy buildings” (NZEB) has been established as a vital objective over the next decade within the European Union (EU) [1,2]. Previous work has shown that a series of very cost effective thermal efficiency measures, equipment, appliance and renewable energy choices are available across climates to reach the NZEB objective. Resulting detailed energy and economic optimization findings have been obtained and published [3,4]. One area that has just begun to be explored, however, is how selection of weather files and their application against coming climate change can influence outcomes from energy optimization procedures.

scholarly journals On the Implementation of the Nearly Zero Energy Building Concept for Jointly Acting Renewables Self-Consumers in Mediterranean Climate Conditions

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faidra Kotarela ◽  
Anastasios Kyritsis ◽  
Nick Papanikolaou
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Mediterranean Climate ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Electricity Grid

Cost-effective energy saving in the building sector is a high priority in Europe; The European Union has set ambitious targets for buildings’ energy performance in order to convert old energy-intensive ones into nearly zero energy buildings (nZEBs). This study focuses on the implementation of a collective self-consumption nZEB concept in Mediterranean climate conditions, considering a typical multi-family building (or apartment block) in the urban environment. The aggregated use of PVs, geothermal and energy storage systems allow the self-production and self-consumption of energy, in a way that the independence from fossil fuels and the reliability of the electricity grid are enhanced. The proposed nZEB implementation scheme will be analyzed from techno-economical perspective, presenting detailed calculations regarding the components dimensioning and costs-giving emphasis on life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) indexes—as well as the energy transactions between the building and the electricity grid. The main outcomes of this work are that the proposed nZEB implementation is a sustainable solution for the Mediterranean area, whereas the incorporation of electrical energy storage units—though beneficial for the reliability of the grid—calls for the implementation of positive policies regarding the reduction of their payback period.

Towards Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB)

2011 ◽  
pp. 93-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paris A. Fokaides
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Building Models ◽  
Environmental Technologies ◽  
The Eu ◽  
Zero Energy Buildings

In 2009, European Union (EU) member states forged a long-awaited compromise on the recast buildings directive, agreeing that all new buildings would have to comply with high energy-performance standards by the end of 2020. The recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which was finally announced in May 2010, requires the public sector to take the lead by owning buildings with “nearly zero” energy consumption standards by the end of 2018, which is two years in advance of the private sector. The objective of this chapter is to discuss both the range of potential consequences to European cities resulting from widespread implementation of zero energy buildings (ZEBs) and the relevant environmental technologies in accordance with the national goals set by the EU Member States. As EU member states are moving ahead with their targets and strategies for ZEBs, this chapter presents the most possible scenarios for the implementation of the EU recast buildings directive regarding ZEBs by 2020. A detailed review regarding the existing EU member states’ definitions and policies on low energy buildings and ZEBs, and the current status of RES technologies for ZEBs is also presented. Finally, some first thoughts are provided regarding the minimisation of energy consumption in the building sector and the green city goal, as energy is considered to be one of the most important chapters when evaluating a green community. The next step for the integration of green buildings would be the adoption of principles resulting from ZEB analyses and descriptions in existing green building models.

COST EFFECTIVENESS ON FARMS IN POLAND COMPARED TO THE EUROPEAN UNION

2021 ◽  
Vol XIII (1) ◽  
pp. 23-35
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Gałecka
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
Cost Structure ◽  
Production Costs ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Horticultural Crops ◽  
Farm Production ◽  
Milk Cows ◽  
Farm Accountancy Data Network ◽  
The Cost

The aim of the study was to assess the cost effectiveness of farms in Poland compared to the European Union, depending on the type of farming. The value and cost structure of the studied farms were determined and the cost-production relation was assessed. The research covered farms participating in the FADN (Farm Accountancy Data Network) European system for collecting accountancy data from farms. As a part of the main objective, an analysis of the structure and dynamics of costs of the researched farms and the cost-production relationship were assessed. The research period covered the years 2013-2018. On the basis of the conducted research, a high cost burden on production was found both in Poland and the entire EU. In the cost structure, direct costs had the largest share, which were particularly important in farms focused on animal production. There was a differentiation in both the cost structure and cost effectiveness depending on the type of farming. The highest production costs were characteristic for farms of the agricultural type – other grazing livestock, and the lowest for farms specialized in horticultural crops and breeding milk cows. In 2018, compared to 2013, there was an increase in the cost effectiveness of Polish farm production, while a slight decrease in the EU average. The increase in costs and the increase in the cost effectiveness of Polish farm production testifies to a general increase in the prices of production factors used in agricultural production and a decrease in cost competitiveness on the European market.

scholarly journals Energy Renovation of Residential Buildings in Cold Mediterranean Zones Using Optimized Thermal Envelope Insulation Thicknesses: The Case of Spain

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 2287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis M. López-Ochoa ◽  
Jesús Las-Heras-Casas ◽  
Luis M. López-González ◽  
César García-Lozano
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Cold Climate ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Climate Zones ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Zero Energy Buildings

The residential sector of the European Union consumes 27% of the final energy of the European Union, and approximately two-thirds of the existing dwellings in the European Union were built before 1980. For this reason, the European Union aims to transform the existing residential building stock into nearly zero-energy buildings by 2050 through energy renovation. The most effective method to achieve this goal is to increase the thermal insulation of opaque elements of the thermal envelope. This study aims to assess the energy, environmental and economic impacts of the energy renovation of the thermal envelopes that are typical of the existing multi-family buildings of the 26 provincial capitals in the cold climate zones of Spain. To achieve this goal, the insulation thickness to be added to the walls, roof and first floor framework is optimized by a life cycle cost analysis, and the existing building openings are replaced, thus minimizing both the total heating costs and the total heating and cooling costs. The study uses four thermal insulation materials for four different heating and cooling systems in 10 different models. The results obtained will be used to propose energy renovation solutions to achieve nearly zero-energy buildings both in Spain and in similar Mediterranean climate zones.

scholarly journals Monitoring Data Study of the Performance of Renewable Energy Systems in a Near Zero Energy Building in Spain: A Case Study

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 2979 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Rey-Hernández ◽  
Eloy Velasco-Gómez ◽  
Julio San José-Alonso ◽  
Ana Tejero-González ◽  
Sergio González-González ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Monitoring Data ◽  
Substantial Part ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Zero Energy Building

The building sector is responsible for a substantial part of the energy consumption and corresponding CO2 emissions. The European Union has consequently developed various directives, among which the updated Energy Performance of Buildings Directive 2018/844/EU stands out, aiming at minimizing the energy demand in buildings, improving the energy efficiency of their facilities and integrating renewable energies. The objective of the present study was to develop an analysis on the energy performance, related CO2 emissions and operating costs of the renewable energy technologies implemented within a multipurpose near Zero Energy Building (nZEB). The target building is an existing nZEB called LUCIA, located in Valladolid (Spain). Monitoring data provides the required information on the actual needs for electricity, cooling and heating. It is equipped with solar energy photovoltaic systems, a biomass boiler and a geothermal Earth to Air Heat Exchanger (EAHX) intended for meeting the ventilation thermal loads. All systems studied show favourable performances, but depend significantly on the particular characteristics of the building, the control algorithm and the climate of the location. Hence, design of these strategies for new nZEBs must consider all these factors. The combined use of the PhotoVoltaic PV System, the biomass and the EAHX reduces the CO2 emissions up to 123 to 170 tons/year in comparison with other fuels, entailing economic savings from the system operation of up to 43,000–50,000 €/year.

scholarly journals Special Issue “Building Thermal Envelope”

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge de Brito ◽  
M. Glória Gomes
Keyword(s):  
Performance Standards ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Zero Energy ◽  
Indoor Comfort ◽  
Zero Energy Buildings

The increasing requirements in building thermal and energy performance standards and the need to design nearly zero-energy buildings, while still enhancing the indoor comfort conditions, have led to a demand for more efficient thermal building envelope solutions [...]

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