Energy Efficiency Measures Research Articles

Investigating Advanced Building Envelopes for Energy Efficiency in Prefab Temporary Post-Disaster Housing

Prefabricated temporary buildings are a promising solution for post-disaster scenarios for their modularity, sustainability and transportation advantages. However, their low thermal mass building envelope shows a fast response to heat flux excitations. This leads to the risk of not meeting the occupant comfort and HVAC energy-saving requirements. The literature shows different measures implementable in opaque surfaces, like vacuum insulation panels (VIPs), phase change materials (PCMs) and switchable coatings, and in transparent surfaces (switchable glazing) to mitigate thermal issues, like overheating, while preserving the limited available internal space. This paper investigates the energy and overheating performance of the mentioned interventions by using building performance simulation tools to assess their effectiveness. The optimization also looks at the transportation flexibility of each intervention to better support the decision maker for manufacturing innovative temporary units. The most energy-efficient measures turn to be VIPs as a better energy solution for winter and PCMs as a better thermal comfort solution for summer.

Is geopolitical oil price uncertainty forcing the world to use energy more efficiently? Evidence from advanced statistical methods

This paper argues that energy efficiency is a potent shield against oil price uncertainty in an increasingly interconnected world fraught with geopolitical tensions. By reducing dependence on oil, enhancing economic resilience, and improving energy security, energy efficiency measures offer multifaceted benefits for both national economies and global stability. Specifically, a wavelet coherence analysis is conducted to study the response of global energy efficiency to geopolitical oil price uncertainty. Quantile-on-quantile and quantile regressions are additionally employed to separate the impacts of various geopolitical oil price risk quantiles on the quantiles of energy efficiency. These methods are utilized in the examination of global time-series data covering the timeframe 2004:Q1–2020:Q4. The wavelet coherence outcomes indicate a positive correlation between geopolitical oil price uncertainty and energy efficiency, particularly during the energy crisis of the 2000s and the COVID-19 pandemic. The results also reveal that geopolitical oil price uncertainty leads to energy efficiency, indicating that an upsurge in geopolitical oil price uncertainty causes energy efficiency to increase. Moreover, the results from quantile-on-quantile and quantile regressions affirm the predominantly positive effects of geopolitical oil price uncertainty on global energy efficiency. Our conclusion therefore is that through strategic investments, innovative policies, and international collaborations relating to energy efficiency, nations can fortify themselves against the destabilizing effects of geopolitical conflicts on energy markets. This would ensure a more sustainable and secure energy future for all.

Design of adsorption chillers under rolling conditions in naval applications: Experimental and numerical approaches

International shipping is one of the major contributors to the overall greenhouse gases emissions and therefore its decarbonization is a key priority worldwide. Among the possible energy efficiency measures, the use of waste heat for cooling through adsorption chillers has gained significant attention. However, the proper integration of such kind of chillers on board needs to consider the effect of the rolling movement of the ship. In the present work, two different sorption modules (i.e the couple of adsorber + evaporator/condenser) are experimentally tested in horizonal position and at different inclinations, considering permanent tilting or continuous moving. The results were subsequently used for the implementation in a dynamic simulation model and the design of the chiller for application on passengers’ vessels. Results showed that operation under constant inclination of 30° resulted in a reduction of the cooling energy supplied by 22.5 % for the module with zeolite and by 55.8 % for the module with silica gel. The highest specific cooling energy (SCE) is 0.26 kWh/kg for the zeolite module and 0.18 kWh/kg for the silica gel module. The main issues underlined under tilted operation is the progressive reduction of the water level in the evaporator, which causes incorrect operation of capillary-driven evaporation. Accordingly, the increase of water level in the evaporator was suggested as mitigation strategy. It was however found out that the issue is only relevant if prolonged operation in a tilted condition is foreseen, but not under typical rolling operation with continuous movement.

Enhancement of Maritime Sector Decarbonization through the Integration of Fishing Vessels into IMO Energy Efficiency Measures

The escalating impact of anthropogenic activities on global climate patterns necessitates urgent measures to reduce emissions, with the maritime industry playing a pivotal role. This article aims to examine the adoption of International Maritime Organization energy efficiency measures for the often-overlooked fishing vessels and their contribution to the overall maritime decarbonization efforts. The article analyzes the attained technical efficiency indices of a case study large-scale fishing vessel and compares them with those of two cargo ships where IMO measures already apply. To support the proposal, a comprehensive analysis of the energy efficiency indices of eight large purse seine fishing vessels is also presented. The results show that large-scale fishing vessels of 400 GT and above could be subject to the IMO energy efficiency measures. The operational challenges, unique to the fishing sector, suggest that sector-specific considerations may be required to integrate the fishing fleet into the already existing IMO energy efficiency guidelines. Looking ahead, this article explores the benefits of aligning Regulation (EU) 2023/957 and IMO guidelines, as well as applying the IMO Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) in assessing the operational environmental impact of fishing operations, emphasizing the importance of including these vessels in the current regulatory frameworks to promote decarbonization.

Re‐Unveiling the energy efficiency impact: Paving the way for sustainable growth in ASEAN countries

AbstractThe Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) heavily relies on fossil fuels to drive economic growth, making it one of the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters. Promoting energy efficiency has been proposed as a solution to mitigate this issue. However, the potential negative impact of energy efficiency on economic growth remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to re‐evaluate the dynamic impact of overall energy efficiency on economic growth in ASEAN countries, considering climate change factors. Unlike prior studies, this research measures overall efficiency based on both persistent and transient components of energy efficiency. This study employs two key techniques: stochastic frontier analysis (SFA) to estimate the overall energy efficiency and panel vector autoregression (PVAR) to analyze the dynamic causal effects of determinants' shocks. The findings suggest that enhancing ASEAN's overall energy efficiency could result in an 85.9% reduction in total energy consumption, indicating high levels of inefficiency in the region. While extensive energy efficiency measures might induce a temporary economic contraction in ASEAN countries, the rate of decline seems to abate over the long term. This implies that the impact of the energy efficiency shock will be most prominent during initial growth stages, progressively waning over time. Additionally, this study confirms the presence of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) for climate change and economic growth.

Integrated Energy Solutions: A Call for Inclusion of Non-Technical Factors

The central supposition put forward in this paper is that typical building-related energy efficiency measures do not automatically yield the looked-for large-scale environmental effects. Rather, many such measures entail two kinds of reductionism, in that they i) treat buildings detached from the larger system (such as the urban context), to which they belong; ii) concentrate on solutions, which are predominantly technological in nature. As a consequence, the complexity of the challenge may be neglected, along with other non-technical, yet potentially critical areas of concern. Such areas include, inter alia, economy, politics, policy, as well as societal and psychological circumstances. In this paper, we discuss a few typical instances of such reductionist stances to shed light on factors that impede their utility. Moreover, we highlight a few instances of systemic methods that have been suggested as having the potential to address complex problems in general, and the environmental implications of energy efficiency measures in the context of the built environment in particular.

Simplified measurement and verification combined with quality assurance instruments: a more practical and accessible method for M&V of energy savings

Energy efficiency (EE) is our “first fuel” and an essential resource in reaching climate goals, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, increasing security of supply, and many other “Multiple Benefits.” However, by their nature, savings are intangible. Demand-side EE measures are typically decentralized, heterogeneous, and small-scale opportunities. The difficulties in measurement and verification (M&V) of “Negawatts” are an important and often overlooked barrier to their greater application. M&V is a prerequisite to assess the performance of any energy, water, or CO2-saving measure, and to quantify the savings into physical and monetary units for reporting, re-financing, GHG accounting, or other purposes. However, in practice, M&V is often perceived (particularly by clients) as cumbersome, incomprehensible, and costly. In the broader context, energy cost savings alone are often not a sufficiently strong project driver because they lack strategic relevance for decision makers. As “Multiple Benefits” of EE become better understood, the value of quantifying savings to a high degree of accuracy may be declining, creating opportunities for more flexible M&V standards. As a new methodology, this conceptual paper proposes to combine simplified M&V (sM&V) for individual EE measures with quality assurance instruments (QAIs) to verify functionality. This “sM&V + QAI” approach is less cumbersome, less costly, and easier to comprehend than standard M&V approaches, particularly by clients, financiers, and other non-M&V experts. It has been reviewed by international experts and successfully tested and evaluated in the field. Multiple case studies are reported to verify its practical feasibility.

Critical Analysis of Institutional and Regulatory Framework for Building Stock Energy Efficiency and Transition in Pakistan

Climate change has emerged as a global focal point, notably affecting vulnerable countries like Pakistan. The country faces heightened risk, prompting concern among many due to its susceptibility to climate-related hazards. An imperative challenge arising from this phenomenon is the necessary shift towards sustainable energy, particularly concerning energy consumption within the building sector. Buildings significantly contribute to daily energy usage and subsequent GHG emissions. In Pakistan, transitioning to energy-efficient building stock holds pivotal importance in mitigating climate change impacts. This hinges on establishing a robust institutional framework and regulatory structure centered around energy efficiency. While Pakistan possesses policies and national guidelines advocating for energy-efficient buildings, their practical enforcement and application remain inadequate. The inception of the Building Energy Code of Pakistan in 1990, based on ASHRAE 90.1 standards, marked a step forward. However, obstacles rooted in institutional weakness and limited capacity building have impeded its effective adoption and adherence. Although the Energy Provisions of 2011 introduced modifications, their scope remained confined mainly to commercial structures. This paper conducts an extensive assessment of Pakistan's existing institutional and regulatory framework for building energy efficiency and transition. Drawing on literature insights and stakeholder perspectives, an in-depth understanding of prevailing policies and institutions uncovers underlying reasons for non-compliance and limited implementation. Additionally, input was gathered from stakeholders through interviews, aiming to identify barriers obstructing the reinforcement of building energy efficiency measures in Pakistan. Discourse and narrative analysis, informed by literature and stakeholder interviews, revealed the significance of awareness, participation, coordination, capacity building, technical expertise, finance, and resources as key factors contributing to deficient compliance and implementation of existing codes and policy guidelines. This paper also proposes actionable recommendations to expedite the transition towards a sustainable, energy-efficient building stock in Pakistan.

EFFICIENCY OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AT 'RESEARCH AND PRODUCTION COMPANY 'ZOND' LTD

To ensure the correct approach to energy management and efficient use by enterprises and organizations, an energy management system is being implemented. The article is about effectiveness of the energy management system at the 'ZOND' LLC. An analysis of the use of fuel and energy resources is carried out, taking into account the structure of energy consumption and cost. It is established that in order to ensure rational consumption, it is necessary to apply a comprehensive approach to analyzing and prioritizing the proposed energy efficiency measures. The constructive and operational shortcomings of the heating system are described. The implemented measures for the rational use of gas are presented. Lighting aspects are considered, including the transition to LED lamps and the use of natural light. Significant heat losses by external envelope structures are revealed and the implemented measures for the building insulation with polystyrene insulation boards (EPS) are described. The results of the economic analysis are presented. The effectiveness of the measures taken by the enterprise to ensure backup power supply in the conditions of prolonged power outages is analyzed. The analysis of the enterprise's work during prolonged emergency power outages is carried out. A number of both minor and significant shortcomings of the described measures to provide electricity to the company's consumers have been identified. Particular attention is paid to the selection and use of uninterruptible power supply units to keep critical consumers running. The use of special skylights, also known as solar daylight tubes or light tubes, to reduce the use of artificial lighting is proposed. A conclusion is made about the effectiveness of an integrated approach to managing the energy efficiency of an enterprise in the context of modern challenges and a high level of energy efficiency management at this enterprise is confirmed.

Retrofitting of an Existing Cultural Hall into a Net-Zero Energy Building

The energy efficiency of existing buildings is a crucial factor in addressing energy consumption challenges in European countries, accounting for nearly 40% of the total energy usage. One such country is Cyprus, which faces significant challenges in transforming its existing building stock into energy-efficient and sustainable structures. To face this situation, extensive focus has been made by the government on the energy-efficient retrofit of non-residential public buildings erected before 2010, which lack any energy efficiency measures. This study examines the case of the Pano Polemidia Cultural Hall (PPCH), which represents the building stock of that period. Through the simulation of two scenarios, before and after the adoption of retrofit measures, the existing energy performance is initially evaluated and then the adoption of sustainable solutions, which improve substantially the energy efficiency and can be easily adopted from the relevant authorities, is explored. These retrofit measures include installation of HVAC system, covering of the shell of the building with external thermal insulation, lighting replacement with LED devices, installation of PV system and solar panels, and replacement of the external openings with aluminum windows. The results derived show that the energy consumption of the building was reduced from 468 to 218 kWh/m2·yr, with renewable energy sources (RESs) contributing 177 kWh/m2·yr, the CO2 emissions were reduced from 136.73 to 11.5 kg/m2·yr, while the reduction in energy consumption per sector ranged from 25% in lighting to 83% in hot water. Therefore, it is evident that a comprehensive retrofitting plan can transform the PPCH into a near-zero energy consumption building that also provides value to the local community and can act as a successful example for any other non-residential buildings with similar characteristics.

An Expert View on Data and Modelling for Planning Domestic Retrofit

The transition to Net Zero rests partly on the widespread adoption of energy-efficient retrofit measures for domestic dwellings. The scale of retrofit efforts is extensive, as up to 80% of the UK’s domestic housing stock for 2050 has already been built. To address the scope, data and models will play a crucial role in informing design decisions and optimising retrofit strategies. While new methods and tools for data and modelling in retrofit continue to be developed, the perspectives of professionals using these tools on their quality remain mainly absent from discussion across academia and practice. This study investigated the experiences and perceptions of data and modelling from professionals working in the planning stages of domestic retrofit, serving as a needs-finding exercise driving retrofit planning. Through semi-structured interviews and qualitative coding, the results highlight a critical trade-off between precision, confidence, and the burden of data collection. These findings underscore the need to balance precision, ease of use, and adaptability in data and modelling retrofit tools. Issues around data availability and wider access to data and modelling results across stakeholders emerged as a missed opportunity.

Energy‐saving technologies and energy efficiency in the post‐COVID era

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic made people reevaluate their energy consumption and energy efficiency. It held up a mirror to humanity's opportunistic and ruthless deployment of energy sources. As the city streets went empty and the international air traffic stopped altogether, people witnessed the significant drop in CO2 emissions, realized their dependence upon energy sources, and became aware of global climate change. In addition, with lockdowns and home offices, the demand for energy and the usual peak hours shifted offering a new perspective in energy consumption. The pandemic delivered a devastating blow to the human belief in having the constant and everlasting supply of energy that can be relied upon in everything. All these attracted the attention of researchers focusing on energy consumption and efficiency during the COVID‐19 pandemic. As a result, the vast body of academic literature on the topic burgeoned in the past four years yielding many exciting perspectives and viewpoints. Our paper conducts a comprehensive review of this body of literature employing the bibliometric network analysis of 12960 publications indexed in Web of Science database. It demonstrates the potential benefits and challenges associated with implementing energy‐saving technologies, altering energy consumption behavior, and implementing novel ICT solutions in a post‐COVID world. In addition, it highlights the importance of energy efficiency measures and examines novel technologies that can contribute to a sustainable and resilient energy future. Our findings emphasize the need for robust policies, technological advancements, and public engagement for fostering energy efficiency and mitigating environmental impacts of post‐pandemic energy consumption.

Technical and Economic Feasibility of Multi-Family Social Housing and Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings in Southern Brazil

Several studies have shown that social housing in Brazil usually fails to provide thermal comfort to its occupants. This study aimed to define energy efficiency measures for a representative social housing model to, together with local production of renewable energy, achieve the nearly zero-energy target. The thermal performance and energy efficiency of the representative model were evaluated using computer simulation, considering the southern Brazilian climatic context. An analysis of the economic feasibility of energy efficiency measures was also carried out. The results showed that the nearly zero-energy model with energy efficiency measures on the envelope (EPS and gypsum board in the external walls and rock wall in the roof) and a solar water heating system reduced 13.1% of the annual primary energy consumption in comparison with the representative model. Considering the renewable energy generation in the nearly zero-energy building, the electricity consumption was 38,777.6 kWh/year lower than that in the representative model (57.0% reduction). The economic analysis of the energy efficiency measures indicated a positive net present value and a payback of nearly six years. It was concluded that using energy efficiency measures and an on-site renewable made it possible to reach the nearly zero-energy target in a representative social housing model.

Preliminary small-scaled thermal resistance testing of a masonry wall with enhanced electromagnetic shielding effectiveness

This study presents the preliminary results of a small-scale masonry wall thermal resistance (R-value) measurement. Two small-scale masonry walls were constructed using regular and antimony tin oxide (ATO)-containing bricks. ATO has shown potential for improving the protection against electromagnetic radiation penetration. R-values of the walls were measured using a FluxDAQ device equipped with a heat flux sensor and two temperature sensors for obtaining the heat flux and inside and outside temperatures during the measurement. Furthermore, the thermal conductivity (λ) of the bricks was measured by using the Fox200 Heat Flow Meter. Both results can be used for determining a walls’ thermal transmittance (U-value), which is often used for describing the energy losses and as a measure of a wall's energy efficiency. This research sought to investigate whether there is a correlation between the results obtained by the small-scale masonry wall and Fox200 device. Ultimately, this experiment aims to verify whether the small-scale masonry wall non-standard method described herein can provide approximately similar results to the standardised method.

Feasibility and performance analysis of a net-zero energy residential building in tropical climates: A case of Congo-Brazzaville

Current building techniques in developing countries have become extremely critical. The net-zero energy concept has emerged as an essential strategy for minimising energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. However, its implementation, particularly in developing countries, remains a critical challenge. The purpose of this work is to assess the feasibility of achieving a net-zero energy building by combining energy-efficient design practices and renewable energy systems under the climatic conditions of the Republic of Congo. To achieve the stipulated objectives, DesignBuilder software was utilised for building modelling, energy load assessment and multiobjective optimisation of building energy efficiency measures, and the multicriteria energy optimisation was carried out using the HOMER tool. The optimisation results showed that the implementation of energy efficiency measures resulted in 39.15% energy savings, 43.45% thermal load savings and 55.68% discomfort hours reduction. Furthermore, the renewable energy system can provide 100% of the building’s energy load and a total savings of 3341.84 kgCO2eq/year. The system’s levelised cost of energy was estimated at 0.256 $/kWh, with a net present cost of $20,231, while the overall life cycle cost was calculated at 188.91 $/m2.

Role of household energy efficiency in shaping policy directives toward clean electricity transition in the United States: A nonparametric multivariate QQR approach

Despite the growing interest in energy transition policies, electricity generation in the U.S. remains heavily dependent on natural gas and coal. In this paper, we investigate the role of household energy efficiency in shaping policy directives toward a clean electricity transition in the U.S. through the use of a novel nonparametric multivariate quantile on quantile regression (M−QQR) over the period 1970 to 2040. The empirical results reveal that household energy-related efficiency has a positive effect on clean electricity transition across quantiles. This implies that household energy efficiency promotes clean electricity transition in the U.S. The results also show that energy expenditure and intensity of energy-related CO2 emissions are negatively related to clean electricity transition. However, the role of energy expenditures in the higher quantiles is positive. These findings align with the sensitivity and robustness analyses. This study offers significant contributions: First, the recently extended bivariate quantile-on-quantile regression to a multivariate case is applied. Second, we use historical and forecast datasets that span over seven decades. Overall, this study suggests the need for policymakers to utilize energy efficiency measures to stimulate transition towards clean electricity.

Does Higher Institutional Quality Result in Environmental Sustainability? A Comparative Study of India and China

There is a lack of comprehensive research comparing India and China in terms of institutional quality and environmental degradation. This special issue aims to make threefold distinct contributions. By comparing India and China, we can learn from each other's experiences and gain insight into the shared difficulties both nations face when trying to achieve environmental sustainability in the face of high-quality institutional frameworks. The impact of corruption, economic development, ecological risk, and renewable energy sources on carbon dioxide emissions in China and India is investigated in this study. For this reason, we also employ the ARDL model and pairwise Granger causality to prove that something caused another. Applying the ARDL long-run bound test, the empirical results reveal a long-run connection between variables in both China and India. In the case of China and India, the estimated results also reveal a negative correlation between carbon emissions and the usage of renewable energy sources, but a positive correlation between carbon emissions and economic growth, corruption, and environmental risk. Improving institutional quality is the goal, and the present theoretical and applied discourse on comparative environmental sustainability is a good place to start. As a result, policymakers in China and India should oppose unfair practices that undermine competition laws and policies by instituting stringent anti-corruption measures and environmental rules. Energy efficiency measures that reduce carbon emissions without slowing economic growth should also be the government's primary focus.

Energy Efficiency Measures in Public Sector: An Empirical Analysis of the Determinants of Adoption of Low-Cost Energy Efficiency

This research delves into the intricate interplay between leadership styles, eco-innovation, and energy efficiency in the Indonesian public sector, examining the roles of green transformational leadership and ethical leadership. Acknowledging the pivotal role of public sector institutions in fostering sustainable practices, the study addresses the ongoing debate surrounding the efficacy of these leadership styles in the context of eco-innovation and energy efficiency. Using a quantitative research approach, data was collected from 227 faculty members across various Indonesian public sector institutions through a questionnaire. SmartPLS 4 software was employed for data analysis. The findings reveal that green transformational leadership positively influences eco-innovation, yet it does not directly impact energy efficiency. Conversely, ethical leadership does not directly drive eco-innovation but demonstrates a positive association with energy efficiency. Eco-innovation emerges as a direct contributor to energy efficiency. Significantly, the research identifies eco-innovation as a mediator between green transformational leadership and energy efficiency. However, this mediating effect is not observed in the relationship between ethical leadership and energy efficiency. The study underscores the need for leadership emphasizing environmental consciousness and ethics, coupled with the promotion of eco-innovation, to effectively attain sustainability and energy efficiency objectives within the Indonesian public sector.

Looking beyond energy efficiency and the role of financial literacy in experiencing fuel poverty: Evidence from Irish homeowners

Previous research has established that an effective way to fight fuel poverty is to increase levels of energy efficiency in residential buildings. A different strand of research has shown that the adoption of energy efficiency measures is more likely if people have high financial literacy. We combine these two strands of research by conducting a new survey among Irish homeowners and directly analysing the association between financial literacy and fuel poverty. Given that energy efficiency renovation is not always economically viable, we also investigate the drivers of other strategies to cope with high energy prices, such as switching the household’s energy supplier and using direct debit payments. While our results confirm that high energy efficiency is associated with lower fuel poverty, at least for some measures, we find no evidence of a link between people’s financial literacy and the energy efficiency level of their homes. We find only weak evidence of a direct negative association between financial literacy and fuel poverty. We investigate several related aspects of fuel poverty using our survey data. We find that low overall household income is strongly associated with a higher prevalence of subjective measures of fuel poverty, a lower likelihood to engage in some energy cost mitigation strategies, and the likelihood to see administrative challenges as insurmountable barriers in the retrofit process. Policy measures aiming to reduce fuel poverty or increase energy efficiency or financial literacy should therefore all focus on low-income households.

A cluster-based appliance-level-of-use demand response program design

The ever-intensifying threat of climate change renders the electric power system undergoing a profound transition toward net-zero emissions. Energy efficiency measures, such as demand response, facilitate the transformation to jointly relieve consumers’ financial burden and improve the operability of the electric power grid, in a carbon-free way. In this paper, we design a cluster-based appliance-level-of-use demand response program, based on the massive volume of appliance consumption data, to expand the role demand response can play in the power grid’s low-carbon transition. We systematically model the appliance-level utility function to distinguish consumers’ distinct consumption patterns. We then develop a bi-level optimization model to capture the interactions between individual consumers and a distribution system operator (DSO) and enable appliance-level-of-use demand response functions. To further improve the efficiency and scalability of the proposed mechanism, we propose a cluster-based approach to capture the heterogeneity of users based on their energy consumption behaviors. Simulation results show that by capturing the detailed appliance-level response patterns, the proposed approach can systematically improve overall social welfare compared with conventional demand response mechanisms.