Design of Energy Efficient Commercial Buildings in Developing Countries

Abstract

Energy Performance of Buildings should include a general framework for the calculation of energy performance and building categories together with thermal characteristics of building, air conditioning, ventilation, lighting and appliances aspects considered. These include Active solar systems contribution to domestic water heating based on renewable energy sources, CPH production and District cooling systems. This paper reviews the energy sources available in Egypt, their distribution and utilization in commercial sectors. The paper demonstrates the importance of incorporating an energy performance directive as a Standard in our region such a goal will aid energy savings in large buildings and set regulations to energy efficient designs that are based on Standard calculation methods. The proposed Standard would be largely based on International Standards and appropriately modified to suit local practices. The target is to develop standardized tools for the calculation of the energy performance of buildings, with defined system boundaries for the different building categories and different cooling/heating systems. The present work is to provide transparent information regarding output data (reference values, benchmarks, etc.) and to define comparable energy related key values (kWh/m2, kWh per person, kWh per apartment, kWh per produced unit etc.). Proposals to develop a common procedure for an “energy performance certificate” and CO2 emissions are given.