Study on the performance of an ultra-low energy building in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of China

Abstract

The ultra-low energy building is an effective solution to reduce building energy consumption and CO2 emission in high-cold and high-altitude areas of China. A new ultra-low energy building in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was built, and a solar-air source heat pump system was designed to cover the heating needs in winter. The performance of the ultra-low energy building was studied by measurement and simulation methods. The measured results show that the average room temperature is above 18 °C without heating, and the indoor temperature can meet the requirements of 20 °C with the heating system. The indoor VOC concentration can be maintained at a low level. The building's air tightness can meet the requirements of the ultra-low energy building. The heating system ran well, and the average COP was 2.6. The simulation results show that the natural room temperature is between 20 and 23 °C more than 90% of the time under heating conditions. The average COP of the heat pump is 3.6, and the solar energy guarantee rate is 44.8% throughout the heating season. The heating system can save 2490.5 kg of standard coal and 6724.3 kg of CO2 emission per year.