New Energy Efficient Buildings Research Articles

Financial inclusion and low-carbon architectural design strategies: solutions for architectural climate conditions and architectural temperature on new buildings.

The objective of this research is to explore the potential of financial inclusion and low-carbon architectural design strategies as solutions to improve the thermal comfort and energy efficiency of new buildings in different architectural climate conditions. The manufacture sector, which accounts for about 40% of all yearly greenhouse gas releases, has been stimulating with trying to reduce the amount of energy it consumes and the detrimental effects it has on the climate, in accordance with the standards outlined in the 2016 Paris Agreement. In this study, panel data analysis is used to examine the connection between green property financing and carbon dioxide emissions from the building sector in one hundred and five developed and developing countries. Although this analysis finds a negative correlation among the development of environmentally friendly real estate financing and firms' worldwide carbon dioxide emissions, it finds that this correlation is most robust in developing nations. A number of these countries are experiencing an unregulated and rapid population explosion, which has boosted their demand for oil, making this discovery essential for them. The difficulty in securing green funding during this crisis is slowing and even reversing gains made in past years, making it all the more important to keep this momentum going during the COVID-19 outbreak. It's critical to keep the momentum going by doing something.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY POLICY IN CIVIL ENGINEERING: OPPORTUNITIES AND PROSPECTS FOR APPLICATION

Objective. To analyze the problems of implementation of modern energy efficient systems in Ukraine. The advantages of modern technologies over outdated ones are presented. The results of the study should form the basis for the development of recommendations for improving energy efficiency in civil engineering. Problems. Today in Ukraine, solving the problem of energy saving in civil engineering remains a constant priority. Overcoming this obstacle largely determines Ukraine’s recovery from the economic crisis. According to estimates, energy consumption for heating budgetary institutions in Ukraine is 2 … 3 times higher than in the EU countries for the same needs. This is based on the obsolescence of Ukraine’s building stock from the time of intensive construction in the 1960s and 1980s. Analysis. Many countries are already successfully implementing new technologies, materials, and designs that help improve the energy efficiency of buildings. Examples include: a construction concept based on the idea of creating a building that does not require active heating and cooling – a «passive house», the use of SIP panels made from recycled materials, the use of double-glazed windows with «warm edge» technology, the creation of energy-efficient envelope structures such as the construction projects «The Edge», «ZEB Pilot House», «BedZed». Scientific novelty. Analysis of current problems of energy efficiency policy implementation in Ukraine in terms of various aspects, such as legal, economic, technical, social, etc. Cases of successful implementation of energy efficient measures and technologies in civil engineering in European countries are considered. Practical significance. The analysis of the real energy status of the country’s building stock is the basis for the development and support of energy efficiency policy. The considered cases of energy efficient technologies implementation can become an important source of information for Ukrainian construction specialists, which will significantly improve the energy efficiency of new buildings, reduce energy dependence on critical infrastructure, save money for civilians and improve the comfort of living conditions.

Research on carbon emission peak prediction and path of China’s public buildings: Scenario analysis based on LEAP model

The building sector is an important field of energy consumption and carbon emission. Public buildings currently account for the majority of building energy consumption in China. But at present, there is a lack of research on the potential carbon peak and time of public buildings. Therefore, this research focuses on carbon peak prediction and path of China's public buildings based on the LEAP model. Firstly, a carbon emission prediction framework is proposed with the assistance of the LEAP model. Subsequently, according to the historical development of key factors, various carbon emission scenarios of public buildings are established, taking into account energy efficiency improvement and energy transition measures. The key findings obtained from the analysis of these scenarios are as follows: (1) Limiting the building space can help to achieve carbon peak, however, in the benchmark scenario, public buildings are unable to do so. (2) Both the moderate emission reduction scenario and the peak emission reduction scenario can meet the target of carbon peaking by 2030, and in the peak emission reduction scenario, the public construction sector may almost reach carbon neutrality by 2060. (3) The peak time can be advanced by boosting energy efficiency of new buildings, energy conservation of existing buildings, renewable energy application and power grid cleaning. (4) Both independent measures of the public construction sector and external measures are essential, with power grid cleaning making the most significant contribution to carbon neutrality in public buildings. Finally, this research provides policy recommendations to support public buildings in achieving their carbon emission reduction goals, which not only has the potential to improve carbon emission forecasting in the construction sector, but can also provide useful reference for relevant decision makers.

OPTIMIZATION OF DISTRIBUTION OF INSULATION ON THERMAL INSULATION SHELL OF ENERGY EFFICIENT BUILDINGS

Nowadays, the issue of improving the energy efficiency of new buildings and thermal modernization of existing housing is acute. This can be done due to the rational insulation of external enclosing structures, the optimal redistribution of insulation on the edges of buildings, taking into account the thermal energy impact of the environment. 
 Existing regulations regulate the minimum level of heat transfer resistance through the enclosing structures of buildings, but do not take into account such features of thermal energy impact of the environment as the level of heat from solar radiation and wind. Thus, the issue of optimal redistribution of the normative amount of insulation between the faces of the building's thermal insulation shell remains legitimate, taking into account the thermal impact of the environment in order to minimize heat loss through enclosing structures, which will increase energy efficiency of buildings. 
 To solve the above problem, the method of optimizing the heat transfer resistance of translucent and opaque enclosing structures under different conditions and the structure of optimizing the redistribution of insulation between the faces of enclosing structures is proposed. 

CONSTRUCTION OF BIG MOST IMPORTANT BUILDINGS WITH FRAMEWORK SYSTEM

Buildings with a large runway on the basis of frame-beam systems are often used for assembly and repair of aircraft and shipbuilding, as well as sports facilities and exhibition pavilions. Improving energy efficiency in new buildings is of particular importance and should be at the center of building energy efficiency policies.

DATABASE OF CERTIFICATES OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF BUILDINGS IN UKRAINE: ANALYSIS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION


 
 
 Ukraine is an energy dependent country. The largest energy consumer in Ukraine is the household sector and industry. The technical characteristics of most existing serial buildings in Ukraine do not meet modern requirements for energy consumption. One of the tools to influence the reduction of consumption of construction resources is the introduction into the regulatory framework of requirements for improving energy efficiency. With the entry into force of the Law of Ukraine "On Energy Certification of Buildings", the development of an energy certificate has become mandatory for new buildings, state-owned buildings, local government buildings and in case of attracting public funds for thermal modernization of buildings. The energy certificate is developed by a certified energy auditor and entered into an open database in the Unified State System in the field of construction. The energy certificate contains an energy efficiency class determined by calculation according to the methodology of the national standard, which is developed taking into account European approaches to the calculation of energy
 
 
 
 consumption for different needs of buildings. The generalized analysis of the data from the available certificates is of considerable interest for estimating the characteristics of enclosing structures, engineering systems and equipment and the actual and estimated specific energy consumption of different types of buildings. In this study, the authors focused on the energy efficiency of new buildings (starting in 2019). The following indicators of residential and public buildings were analyzed: heat transfer resistance of external walls and translucent structures, specific energy consumption, primary energy, specific CO2 emissions, energy efficiency class. It was determined that the potential for energy savings compared to similar buildings in the European Union is significant, so improving the energy efficiency of the construction sector is an extremely important issue in Ukraine.
 
 
 
 
 

Building form and energy efficiency in tropical climates: A case study of Penang, Malaysia

Abstract Malaysia is a nation that has undergone a massive development based on its abundance of fuel supply. The imbalance ratio between gross domestic products and energy demand clearly indicates the need to promote energy-efficiency strategies in the country. This study investigates the relationship between building shape and energy consumption by considering the control of excessive solar radiation in a tropical climate. In the first step, four basic plan geometries, namely, square, rectangle, triangle and circle shapes, are studied to determine the optimal building shape in terms of energy consumption in Penang, Malaysia. Results of simulation analysis using DesignBuilder software (Version 5.4.0) reveal that the circle is the most suitable form in terms of energy performance. In the second step, all buildings with extended shapes based on the optimal shape obtained from the first step are simulated under the same condition to analyse the thermal behaviour of different building forms. Amongst four alternative extended cases, Case 3 with 90 cm depth and without vertical offset from the top of the window has superior energy performance and sufficient natural daylight. This study contributes to enhance energy efficiency of new buildings by incorporating design strategies in the design process.

Measures to Achieve the Energy Efficiency Improvement Targets in the Multi-Apartment Residential Sector

Abstract Directive (EU) 2018/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency sets a target of 32.5 % energy efficiency to be achieved by 2030, with a possible upward revision in 2023. The directive also stipulates that the obligation to achieve annual energy savings must continue to be met after 2020. In addition, a revised directive on the energy performance of buildings was adopted in May 2018. It includes measures to speed up the renovation of buildings and the transition to more energy-efficient systems, as well as to improve the energy efficiency of new buildings, thus using smart energy management systems [1]. Buildings consume the most energy and have the greatest energy saving potential. They are therefore crucial to achieving the European Union’s energy saving targets. The EU allocated around 14 billion EUR to improve the energy efficiency of buildings in the period of 2014–2020, of which 4.6 billion EUR was intended for residential buildings. In addition, the Member States have earmarked 5.4 billion EUR of public co-financing for the improvement of all types of buildings, of which around 2 billion EUR is allocated to residential buildings. Multi-apartment residential buildings in Latvia are in a technically unsatisfactory condition. In Latvia, the service life of multi-apartment residential buildings has been artificially extended. In addition, there is also the problem of reduced construction quality. Housing problems affect all layers of society, but they are most acute for low- and middle-income people. The aim of the research is to study, using the co-financing of the European Union Structural Funds, the activities performed during the renovation process of multi-apartment residential buildings in Latvia and to identify the shortcomings.

Comprehensive survey on radon mitigation and indoor air quality in energy efficient buildings from Romania

Over the last 10 years applied scientific research has been carried out in Romania to tacked the residential radon issues. The increased interest to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings has lead to the implementation and use of new architectural solutions aimed to save energy in houses and other buildings. As a consequence, the degree of retrofit in existing buildings and energy efficiency of new buildings promoted the need to not only mitigate indoor radon, but improve indoor air quality overall. The present study found that the while the best performance in radon reduction was confirmed to be based on sub-slab depressurization (61% - 95% reduction), centralized and decentralized mechanical supply and exhaust ventilation with heat recovery yielded a good efficiency in overall improvement of indoor air quality (CO2, VOC, RH, temperature). The outcome of our research, as well as future perspectives, take into account the recommended harmonization of energy efficiency programs with those of public health by finding and applying the best technologies in compliance with energy saving and indoor environmental quality.

Abatement cost of embodied emissions of a residential building in Sweden

In 2010, the world’s buildings accounted for approximately 19% of all greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions stem from both the construction and operation of buildings. In recent years the carbon efficiency of energy sources and energy efficiency of new buildings has been improved in Sweden. Therefore, embodied emissions accounts for an increasing share of the life cycle emissions of new buildings. This study aims to asses the cost effectiveness in abatement of embodied emissions. This was done by assessing the embodied emissions of a case building and several conventional design measures along with the implication on production cost. It was found that many of the measures enabled cost effective carbon abatement. Embodied emissions could be reduced by 15% using cost neutral or nearly cost neutral measures. Abatements up to 18% were found cost effective in relation to abatement of carbon dioxide emissions in other sectors. Abatements up to 24% were possible with minor increases in total production cost (0.22%) even though some of the individual measures were found expensive in relation to abatement of carbon dioxide emissions in other sectors. Some measures entailed increased floor area that could potentially lead to economic gain where exterior area is a limiting factor. Acoustic requirements were found to be a limiting factor in abatement of embodied emissions.

How Much Energy Do Building Energy Codes Save? Evidence from California Houses

Regulations governing the energy efficiency of new buildings have become a cornerstone of US environmental policy. California enacted the first such codes in 1978 and has tightened them every few years since. I evaluate the resulting energy savings three ways: comparing energy used by houses constructed under different standards, controlling for building and occupant characteristics; examining how energy use varies with outdoor temperatures; and comparing energy used by houses of different vintages in California to that same difference in other states. All three approaches yield estimated energy savings significantly short of those projected when the regulations were enacted. (JEL Q48, Q51, Q52)

Investigating Building Construction Process and Developing a Performance Index

A typical building construction process runs through three main consecutive phases: design, construction and operation. Currently, architects and engineers both engage in the creation of environmental designs that adequately reflect high performance through sustainability and energy efficiency in new buildings. Occupants of buildings have also recently demonstrated a dramatic increase in awareness regarding building operation, energy usage, and indoor air quality. The process of building construction is chronologically located between both the design and the operation phases. However, this phase has not yet been addressed in either understanding contractor behavior or developing innovative sustainable techniques. These two vital aspects have the potential to levy a dramatic impact on enhancing building performance and operational costs.Repeatedly causing apprehension to the construction industry is a question that posits, “Why is there a gap/delta/inconsistency between the designed EUI, Energy Use Intensity, and the operational EUI”? Building occupants shall not be the only party that bears blame for the delta in energy. It is true, nonetheless, that occupants are part of the reason, but the contractor – as well as the entire construction phase - also remain prime suspects worth investigating. In the present time, research is predominantly focused on occupants (post-occupancy) and designers to educate and control the gap between designed and operational EUI. This research has succeeded in the identification of the construction phase, in conjunction with contractor behaviour, as another main factor for initiating this energy gap. Therefore, not only is the coupling of sustainable strategies to the construction drivers crucial to attaining a sustainable project, but also it is integral to analyzing contractor behavior within each of the construction phases that play a vital role in successfully serving sustainability. Various techniques and approaches will assist contractors in amending their method statements to ensure a sustainable project.This research correlates an existing project to the two proposed sustainable concepts: 1) Identify cost-saving strategies that may have been implemented or avoided during the construction process, and 2) Evaluate the impacts of implementing these strategies on overall performance. The adopted contexts are to partially foster sustainable architecture concepts to the Contractor process, and then proceed to analyze its cost implication on overall project performance. Results of the validation of this approach verify that when contractors embrace a sustainable construction process the overall project will yield various financial savings. A mixed-use project was utilized to validate these concepts, which indicated three outcomes: firstly, a 25% decrease in manpower for tiling while maintaining the same productivity, thus reflecting a saving of $3,500; next, increasing the productivity of concrete activity, which would shorten the duration of the construction by 45 days and reflect a saving of $1.5 million, and last of all, reducing the overhead costs of labor camps by efficiently orienting temporary shelters, which reveals a reduction in cooling and heating that returned a saving of approximately $10,000. This research develops a comprehensive evidence-based study that addresses the above-mentioned gap in the construction phase, which targets to yield a multi-dimensional tool that will allow: 1) integrating critical thinking and decision-making approaches regarding contractor behavior, and 2) adopting innovative sustainable construction methods that reflect reduction in operating costs.

Les innovations de services, une solution pour réduire les consommations d’énergie à l’hôpital ?

Dans le secteur hospitalier, la question de la maîtrise de la demande d’énergie se limite souvent à l’analyse des innovations technologiques ou énergétiques capables de réduire les consommations d’énergie, par exemple la construction de nouveaux bâtiments BBC ou l’installation de systèmes de chauffage performants, comme les systèmes de chauffage à condensation. Les innovations de services ou innovations organisationnelles sont plus rarement prises en compte. Pourtant elles influencent de façon importante les consommations d’énergie, à la hausse ou à la baisse. Ce sont ces innovations et leurs répercussions énergétiques que nous cherchons à identifier dans le cadre de cet article. Pour ce faire, nous nous appuyons sur l’analyse d’entretiens qualitatifs réalisés auprès de directeurs d’établissements hospitaliers et de représentants d’Agences Régionales de Santé. Codes JEL : L89

Certification of Energy Efficiency in New Buildings: A Comparison Among the Different Climatic Zones of Spain

Certification of Energy Efficiency in New Buildings: A Comparison Among the Different Climatic Zones of Spain

Distant Learning Course “Energy Efficient Refurbishment Management”

Currently, a problem of the deterioration of housing stock exists and more and more buildings require reconstruction and renovation. Therefore, there is the need for specialists of the international level in the reconstruction and renovation of residential buildings in the labor market. To meet the need the distant learning course “Energy efficient refurbishment management” is offered. Implementation of the project is carried out by international organizations from different countries. The course is aimed at improving energy efficiency in new buildings and old residential buildings under the renovation in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. The main objective of the project is the development of a program that will allow a manager to plan and implement energy efficiency measures of reconstruction. It is assumed that this course will be used both for self-education and for professional development and will be available for people who do not have special knowledge in this area. The program will provide the society with experts in the field of energy efficient renovation.

Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings of the Lombardy Region (Italy), a Case Study of High-Energy Performance Buildings

The topic of nearly zero-energy buildings (n-ZEB), introduced by the Directive 2010/31/EU will direct the building market toward ever greater energy efficiency of new buildings. In some contexts, however, the building market for high-efficiency buildings has evolved, in recent years, on the basis of national and regional laws that have contributed to the acceleration of the process. This paper analyses the case study of the Lombardy Region (Italy), which transposed and assimilated the Directive 91/2002 (Energy Performance Building Directive), as of 2006, with regional legislation for energy efficiency of buildings. Within a few years the market for high energy-performance of buildings in the Lombardy Region had grown substantially: to date nearly 7500 energy performance certificates for buildings of Class A and Class A+ have been issued. The paper therefore analyses a success story in what is a field of great current interest, namely n-ZEB buildings. In the first part of the work, the evolution in terms of energy efficiency of the housing market in the Lombardy Region has been analyzed, with particular reference to the high energy-performance of buildings. The second part focuses on a sample of 20 n-ZEB buildings in order to highlight the design choices applied to them.

Significance of design for energy conservation in buildings: building envelope components

Energy efficient buildings consist of using innovative technologies based on renewable energies and a good thermal insulation. Most strategies applied in design and many of the services offered by lodging establishments require the consumption of substantial quantities of energy, water and non-durable products. In most developing countries, it makes perfect sense to focus on the implementation of energy efficiency on new buildings rather than on retrofitting existing ones (Hinostroza et al., 2007). Energy efficiency in new buildings can be achieved by passive measures such as the insulation of the building envelope, optimised solar design, optimised natural lighting, wall shading, surface material etc. and active measures such as efficient cooling and ventilation appliances and solar water heating. In this paper, the effects of thermal mass and phase change material on building cooling and heating loads and peak loads, air tightness and infiltration of building envelopes are discussed.

Strategic Facility Guidelines for Improved Energy Efficiency In New Buildings

ABSTRACT The intent of this article is to offer a convenient list of strategic guidelines to help steer new building designs toward energy efficiency. It is hoped that the project owner, interested in achieving greater than average savings, will provide this list to the design team as part of their project intent instructions. To encourage its use and acceptance, emphasis is placed on keeping the list at a manageable size, with only proven solutions. Through a top-down approach, using this document as a convenient tool, building owners can set the expectations of energy frugality, create positive changes in building practices, and reward themselves with operational savings.

Mitigation of CO2 emissions from the EU-15 building stock. Beyond the EU directive on the energy performance of buildings

- Goal Scope and Background. The European Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings which came into force 16 December 2002 will be implemented in the legislation of Member States by 4 January 2006. In addition to the aim of improving the overall energy efficiency of new buildings, large existing buildings will become a target for improvement, as soon as they undergo significant renovation. The building sector is responsible for about 40% of Europe's total end energy consumption and hence this Directive is an important step for the European Union in order that it should reach the level of saving required by the Kyoto Agreement. In this the EU is committed to reduce CO2 emissions relative to the base year of 1990 by 8 per cent, by 2010. But what will be the impact of the new Directive, how large could be the impacts of extending the obligation for energy efficiency retrofitting towards smaller buildings? Can improvement of the insulation offset or reduce the growing energy consumption from the increasing installation of cooling installations? EURIMA, the European Insulation Manufacturers Association and EuroACE, the European Alliance of Companies for Energy Efficiency in Buildings, asked Ecofys to address these questions.

Mitigation of CO2 Emissions from the EU-15 Building Stock. Beyond the EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (9 pp)

Mitigation of CO2 Emissions from the EU-15 Building Stock. Beyond the EU Directive on the Energy Performance of Buildings (9 pp)