In general, the implementation of energy efficient measures, EEM's can bring down the energy consumption of residential or non-residential buildings by about 30%. The Net-zero Energy Building, NZEB concept is usually applied to newly designed buildings. However, the number of already constructed buildings will always outnumber the newly planned buildings. Therefore, this study focuses on techno-economic feasibility of converting an existing recreational facility, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals. KFUPM beach to NZE facility. Its location Al-Khobar, the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, considered as one of the most arid and dry climates in the world. This harsh weather imposes another challenge in minimizing Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning load. The objective of the present study is to conduct feasibility study in two phases. In the first phase, measures will be identified to minimize the energy utilization, mainly in terms of the thermal load. In the second phase, a hybrid microgrid solar photovoltaics (PV's)/wind energy system will be designed and optimized to meet the demand. The study focusses economic feasibility of the hybrid microgrid renewable system design based on cost of energy, net present cost, payback period, reduction in carbon footprint, and initial and operational costs.

Abstract Sweden implemented a unique policy instrument over two consecutive five-year periods aimed at promoting industrial energy efficiency: a voluntary agreement programme (VAP) known as the Programme for Improving Energy Efficiency in Energy-Intensive Industries (PFE). This paper evaluates the second programme period using process and impact evaluation approaches. The impact evaluation revealed that the programme generated numerous benefits beyond the implementation of energy efficiency measures. The second programme period demonstrated impacts comparable to the first, underscoring the pivotal role of energy management within policy frameworks. Moreover, the findings suggest that VAPs may be among the few policy instruments capable of achieving substantial impact within industrial production processes. The process evaluation identified two critical gaps: a policy gap and a knowledge gap. Many of the positive elements present in the evaluated programme are currently absent from Sweden’s industrial policy mix. The role of the policy operator—as facilitator or intermediary—proved essential, particularly in the context of policies involving energy audits and certified energy management systems. In this case, the Swedish Energy Agency played a central role. The study concludes that continuous energy management, when integrated throughout the entire organization, significantly enhances companies’ capacity to identify and implement energy efficiency measures. This approach not only deepens internal knowledge but also fosters the development of more structured and effective routines. Furthermore, the findings suggest that financial incentives may be essential to ensure the long-term persistence of energy efficiency practices. Consequently, future policy design should include a strong facilitator and incorporate mechanisms that both reinforce organizational knowledge of energy end-use processes and promote sustained engagement over time, preferably involving a financial incentive.

Modern cultural, educational and scientific centers, an important type of which are exhibition and museum complexes, are becoming key symbolic objects that reflect the level of cultural, technological and social development of a city. The article analyses the architectural solutions that determine the modern appearance of exhibition and museum complexes and their functional content. Based on an examination of the evolutionary process and characteristic examples, trends and promising directions for the development of the architecture of these institutions are identified, and architectural features reflecting trends in innovative, environmentally friendly and socially oriented design are substantiated. Factors influencing the formation of the structure and artistic image of exhibition and museum centers are identified. Characteristic moments of evolution and paradigm shifts in favour of openness and flexibility of planning and visitor engagement in the learning process are traced. Multifunctionality is becoming an essential quality of cultural, educational and scientific centers. The principles of architectural and spatial organisation of exhibition and museum complexes have been identified, including the following: mandatory innovation in architectural, structural and technological solutions; convenient transport and pedestrian connections to the city center, multifunctionality, the emergence of additional functions; individualisation of architectural, compositional and functional planning solutions, scenario-based construction of visitor routes; dynamic and flexible planning, the possibility of transformations. The examples considered demonstrate the implementation of energy efficiency measures in the architectural design of exhibition buildings and, in this context, their use as educational facilities that clearly demonstrate how sustainable architecture works.

Abstract To achieve the European energy and climate goals by 2050, meaningful refurbishment actions are necessary for the existing stock sector of the building, including historic buildings. A relatively new trend in contemporary design emphasizes reusing existing buildings instead of constructing new ones, revisiting and reinterpreting practices that have been experimented with in the past. The pertinent question today is how to reconcile the requirements for building protection with the implementation of energy efficiency measures. In this contest stands Villa Manganelli, a creation of the renowned architect Ernesto Basile, showcasing Italian Art Nouveau in Catania from the early twentieth century. Currently, Villa Manganelli needs to be re-functionalized to enable its reuse. Thanks to its architectural design at the forefront, and its location in the city centre of Catania, Villa Manganelli could be re-functionalized as a “boutique hotel”. This renovation must take into consideration the opportunity to improve the building’s energy performance. Due to the lack of data regarding the thermo-physical features of the building envelopes, the first phase of this study consists in an experimental set of measurements carried out to characterize the thermal properties of the building masonry and the indoor thermal conditions. A second phase will entail the dynamic numerical simulation of the investigated building and its calibration and validation through the comparison with the experimental data. An excellent agreement between simulated and observed data with an R-squared value (R2) higher than 0.92 was found.

Abstract To achieve the European energy and climate goals by 2050, meaningful refurbishment actions are necessary for the existing stock sector of the building, including historic buildings. A relatively new trend in contemporary design emphasizes reusing existing buildings instead of constructing new ones, revisiting and reinterpreting practices that have been experimented with in the past. The pertinent question today is how to reconcile the requirements for building protection with the implementation of energy efficiency measures. In this contest stands Villa Manganelli, a creation of the renowned architect Ernesto Basile, showcasing Italian Art Nouveau in Catania from the early twentieth century. Currently, Villa Manganelli needs to be re-functionalized to enable its reuse. Thanks to its architectural design at the forefront, and its location in the city centre of Catania, Villa Manganelli could be re-functionalized as a “boutique hotel”. This renovation must take into consideration the opportunity to improve the building’s energy performance. Due to the lack of data regarding the thermo-physical features of the building envelopes, the first phase of this study consists in an experimental set of measurements carried out to characterize the thermal properties of the building masonry and the indoor thermal conditions. A second phase will entail the dynamic numerical simulation of the investigated building and its calibration and validation through the comparison with the experimental data. An excellent agreement between simulated and observed data with an R-squared value (R2) higher than 0.92 was found.

The article examines the role and potential of green financing in the post-war reconstruction of Ukrainian communities in the current context. The relevance of the topic is determined by the need to combine rapid infrastructure restoration with long-term goals of sustainable development, decarbonization of the economy, and improvement of financial stability of communities in accordance with the principles of the European Green Deal. Green financing instruments available to local authorities are systematized, divided into non-repayable, repayable, and partnership instruments, and analytically assessed in terms of accessibility, impact on financial stability, and potential for scaling up in wartime and post-war periods. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of energy service contracts (ESCOs) and green bonds as instruments that differ significantly in terms of their application logic, level of institutional requirements, and long-term effect on community development. It is argued that ESCOs are the mostpractical and accessible tool for implementing energy efficiency measures in conditions of limited financial capacity of communities, while their application in Ukraine is characterized by fragmentation and limited strategic planning compared to practicesin EU countries. It has been established that green bonds have significant potential as a tool for financing capital-intensive infrastructure projects in the long term, but their use at the municipal level is hampered by institutional, financial, and regulatory barriers. It has been proven that green financing instruments are not interchangeable, but should be considered as complementary elements of the public investment management system of local communities. The practical significance of the study lies in the formation of scientifically sound approaches to a phased transition from a reactive model of local development financing to a proactive model focused on improving the financial sustainability of communities, achieving climate goals, and ensuring the sustainable socio-economic recovery of Ukraine in the post-war period

The implementation of energy efficiency measures and sustainable energy practices is essential in addressing growing environmental challenges, aiming to mitigate climate change and ensure long-term environmental sustainability. Central to driving this transition is the use of effective marketing strategies to mobilize consumer behavior towards the adoption of energy efficiency technologies and sustainable energy alternatives. Despite increasing recognition of the importance of marketing in promoting energy efficiency and sustainability, there remains a significant gap in understanding the breadth and depth of research conducted in this domain. This study aims to address these gaps, trends, and key topics by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) and VOSviewer software. A comprehensive search of publications indexed in Scopus yielded 1030 article titles, from which 40 articles were selected for further analysis. By synthesizing the findings of this study, this research seeks to determine the gap phenomena and factors that determine the intention of efficient/green/renewable energy. The results of this research are five cluster gap phenomena and factors that influence the intention of efficient/green/renewable energy, which consists of factors outside the consumer, as well as factors from within the consumer. These findings are expected to provide valuable insights and recommendations for policy makers, practitioners, and researchers to develop targeted marketing interventions capable of mobilizing consumers to adopt energy efficiency and sustainable energy practices, thereby contributing to the global transition towards a more sustainable future.

Abstract Data collection and analysis on the implementation of energy efficiency measures (EEMs) under Article 8 of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) vary widely across European countries. This paper focuses on the management and enforcement of Energy Audits (EAs) obligation, and the associated EEMs information, in Portugal and Italy, two countries with distinct approaches. Specifically, the study delves into the Portuguese SGCIE (Sistema de Gestão dos Consumos Intensivos de Energia), and the implementation of the Italian Legislative Decree 102/2014 along with Ministerial Decree 256/2024 (Decreto Energivori). In Portugal, SGCIE plays a pivotal role in monitoring energy-intensive installations, mainly from the industrial sector, fostering the adoption of EEMs through a mandatory framework. This paper investigates how SGCIE collects data from EAs, enforces the implementation of EEMs, and tracks energy savings, contributing to national and EU energy efficiency goals. Similarly, the study delves into the Italian framework, analysing EAs obligations governance and EEMs data managing, particularly for energy-intensive industries. Emphasis is placed on the effectiveness of these mechanisms in gathering and utilizing information on EEMs. This analysis highlights the strengths of each system, underscoring key differences in how Portugal and Italy have transposed Art. 8 EED obligations into national law. The findings show that both countries have developed robust digital systems to collect and analyse EEMs data, offering valuable insights into energy consumption trends and policy impacts. These approaches improve data quality, support company-level energy management, and provide a foundation to meet the more stringent requirements of the revised EED (EU/2023/1791).

Cross-sectional buildings energy benchmarking knowledge graph: Barcelona city scale dataset

The industrial sector accounts for a substantial amount of energy consumption in the United States. One strategy to mitigate this impact is to implement energy efficiency measures (EEM). However, economic barriers tend to hinder the implementation of such projects in a manufacturing facility, especially for small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMM). While most investment calculations for EEMs include energy and cost savings, it can be beneficial to consider non-energy impacts (NEI) – impacts beyond energy cost savings – in these reports and calculations to present a more accurate value for these projects. This study aims to identify the investment process, and the perception and observation of NEIs after EEM-implementation by conducting interviews and surveys of executives and managers of SMMs. Results indicate that NEIs are important to manufacturers with the most cited NEIs being improved productivity, production reliability, and morale of workers. The results suggest that manufacturers generally believe there are NEIs associated with EEMs, some of which they also have observed post EEM-implementation. However, results also suggest while SMMs believe such NEIs exist, they may not have observed such benefits themselves, which may contribute to EEM-implementation skepticism, thus providing an opportunity to better provide evidence of NEIs on EEM projects.

This article examines Uzbekistan's energy transition challenges, focusing on its reliance on fossil fuels and the urgent need for sustainable development. The study uses a qualitative analytical methodology, incorporating policy analysis and recent evaluations of energy infrastructure and environmental impact. Key issues identified include high greenhouse gas emissions, outdated infrastructure, and regulatory barriers. The article proposes a dual solution: expanding renewable energy sources—particularly solar and wind—and implementing energy efficiency measures. Governmental reforms, international cooperation, and infrastructure modernization are essential to this transition. Emphasis is placed on reducing emissions, enhancing energy security, and fostering economic resilience. The findings highlight that a strategic, integrated approach is vital for sustainable energy transformation in Uzbekistan.

Abstract The European Union is implementing some of its most ambitious energy and environmental policies to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. Energy efficiency plays a key role in this initiative, being regulated by various legislative measures, including Directive 2012/27/EU. Gradually, Directive 2012/27 / EU has experienced several substantial changes, and for the sake of clarity, has been replaced by Directive 2023/1791/EU, which updates energy efficiency measures and sets the target of reducing energy consumption by 11.7% by 2030. The new directive also needs assistance for SMEs and sectors not subject to energy audit obligations. In the current state of the scientific literature, previous research looks at energy audits, management systems and the EE1 principle, but there is limited analysis on how recent legislative changes impact member states. The research methodology used in this paper examines the implementation of Directive 2012/27/EU in Romania, Germany and France, highlighting the difficulties encountered by Romania, which require a clearer transposition of Directive 2023/1791/EU and an advanced digitisation. The results suggest that around 20,000 new companies will have to apply energy efficiency measures, with a potential to reduce energy consumption of around 10%. These results underline the need for active involvement of authorities and effective support policies to enhance the implementation of energy efficiency measures at national level.

This study explores the impact of various weather files on the simulation accuracy of building energy model simplifications, focusing on thermal zone abstraction, HVAC system simplification, and material definition. Using a Canadian dormitory building as a case study, a detailed model is progressively simplified into four scenarios, ranging from individual to single-zone models. After calibration with real-world data, both detailed and simplified models are used to evaluate sixteen retrofit scenarios under current and future weather conditions, incorporating various present and future Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) and Canadian Weather Year for Energy Calculation (CWEC) files to account for climate change impacts. Results reveal that all pre-calibrated simplification scenarios demonstrate deviations in total energy demand, approximately below 25%. Moreover, after implementing Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs), calibrated simplified models exhibit an error of less than 10% compared to the detailed model. Furthermore, the simulations using various weather files reveal trends associated with climate change. As temperatures are projected to rise in the following decades, the simulated models using future weather files show approximately a 30% reduction in heating demand. However, simulations using TMY weather files indicate an average of 8.7% higher natural gas demand compared to those using CWEC weather files. This discrepancy underscores the critical importance of selecting appropriate weather datasets in energy modeling, as varying climatic assumptions influenced by climate change can significantly impact the results.

The development and implementation of state policy to overcome energy poverty has become particularly important in Ukraine and requires adequate methods and tools to support consumers in transitioning to a low-carbon economy. The study aims to conduct a comparative analysis of energy poverty in the EU and Ukraine, evaluate the cost of government support for vulnerable households through subsidy mechanisms, and improve the methodology for calculating heating subsidies in Ukraine under low-carbon transition conditions. Based on statistical data, the study reveals the intensifying negative impact of the 2021–2022 energy crisis on households in both the European Union and Ukraine. The results of evaluating the cost and structure of energy subsidy portfolios indicate that most governments worldwide are shifting toward economic decarburization and phasing out coal consumption subsidies in response to stricter climate obligations. The findings reveal that while energy subsidies in Ukraine are socially oriented, they place a significant burden on the state budget and fail to address the root causes of energy poverty. The paper explores the mechanism of fuel subsidies and argues that the implementation of energy efficiency measures must accompany the gradual elimination of such support. It also presents a calculation of heating subsidies based on the energy efficiency class of residential buildings, consistent with the goal of introducing NZEB standards. The formulated proposals seek to strengthen support for energy-vulnerable households and enhance monitoring activities to obtain more comprehensive and objective data on the extent of energy poverty in Ukraine.

The effects of energy efficiency on the decarbonization engineering infrastructure were examined by simulating the hourly energy demand of a small Texan city with 10,000 buildings. The available renewable energy sources in the region, wind and solar, supply the required energy, and the deficit or surplus is offset by energy storage. The demand–supply match during every hour of the year determines the required renewable power, the energy storage requirement, and dissipation in the energy storage/regeneration processes. The computations showed that the implementation of energy efficiency measures will decrease the total required renewable power by a factor of 2.9, the needed energy storage by a factor of 2.0, and the annual energy dissipation by a factor of 2.4. Of particular interest is the determination of the energy transition elasticity coefficients, which offer quantitative interpretation and a better understanding of the effects of energy efficiency measures on the decarbonization efforts of communities.

Objective: This study proposes the implementation of energy efficiency measures in the building of the Faculty of Science and Technology, as part of an extension project at the Federal University of Goiás. Theoretical Framework: The recommendations of the National Electricity Conservation Program (PROCEL) from the Energy Research Company (EPE) were the main guidelines used for the actions proposed in this study. Method: The current energy consumption was assessed through direct measurement, along with the projected energy demand and the analysis of electricity bills from December 2023 and August 2024. Additionally, the main issues related to the improper use of electricity were observed and discussed. Results and Discussion: Based on a review of the literature and, primarily, the recommendations of PROCEL-EPP, a banner was developed to compile the suggestions observed and discussed with project members, along with other visual elements. Thus, even in its initial stage, the actions proposed in this study show promise in contributing to the improvement of energy efficiency at FCT and, consequently, to sustainable development. Research Implications: The results of this research highlight the potential for reducing energy consumption through the implementation of energy efficiency measures in public buildings. Originality/Value: The present study demonstrates that it is possible to change people's habits and mitigate the problems of high energy consumption through the creation of campaigns promoting energy efficiency.

The article examines the institutional and legal support for energy transformation at the regional and local levels. The relevance of decentralization in the new paradigm of energy development will only grow. It is communities and local representative institutions that will bear increasing responsibility for the intensity and effectiveness of the energy transition. In Ukraine, this process is additionally catalyzed by threats to energy security as a result of military operations. Given these factors, the institutional component of the energy transition will require increasing attention and further balancing. As a result of the study, it was established that the institutional and legal support for energy transformation at the local and regional levels is provided by the rulemaking of local governments and local executive authorities within the limits of their powers. The voluntary and imperative planes of institutional and legal support for energy transformation at the local level were identified. In Ukraine, the most representative and widespread example of voluntary institutional and legal support for energy transformation at the local level is the signing by local governments of the Covenant of Mayors, according to which they undertake obligations to reduce emissions and implement energy efficiency measures on their territory. The imperative rules established by the Law of Ukraine “On Energy Efficiency” regarding the approval of a local energy plan by each local and regional council are additionally stimulated by the threat of losing the right to state support in the absence of such a plan by the date established in the Law. Having analyzed the overall evolution of domestic legislation over the past decade (2014–2024), we can identify a trend towards further granting the institution of local self-government with a set of powers necessary for its effective implementation of a wide range of measures in the field of energy transformation. Taking into account the EU experience within the framework of the Fourth Energy Package, we can predict further progression of the identified trend. This requires not only declarative rulemaking - the corresponding strengthening of the institution of local self-government must be comprehensive (legislative, material and resource, informational, organizational, etc.).

Purpose This study aims to explore the relationship between energy management practices – specifically energy consumption targets, energy efficiency improvement measures and energy consumption monitoring – and firm performance in the developing economies of Egypt and Tunisia. It seeks to determine how these practices impact total sales performance, providing insights for regional firms and policymakers. Design/methodology/approach This study uses data from the World Bank’s 2020 Enterprise Survey, focusing on firms in Egypt and Tunisia. This study uses partial least squares structural equation modeling to analyze the impact of energy management practices on total sales performance. Findings The findings reveal that, while energy consumption targets do not directly affect total sales performance in Tunisia, they significantly enhance energy efficiency improvement measures and energy consumption monitoring, indirectly influencing total sales performance. This finding highlights the critical role of comprehensive energy management strategies in improving firm performance. Research limitations/implications This study is limited to firms in Egypt and Tunisia, with cross-sectional data that do not capture the dynamic interactions of the variables over time. Future research should consider longitudinal data and expand this study to other developing economies. Using single-item measures for each variable suggests that more nuanced, multi-item measures could offer more profound insights. Practical implications For firms in Egypt and Tunisia, adopting comprehensive energy management practices, such as setting energy consumption targets, implementing energy efficiency measures and monitoring energy consumption, can lead to better sales performance by reducing energy costs, which can be reinvested in core business activities. Policymakers should support these practices through incentives and policies that promote energy efficiency and sustainability. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by offering empirical evidence of the indirect impact of energy consumption targets on firm performance in developing economies. This underscores the importance of integrated energy management strategies to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), mainly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), providing valuable insights for both policymakers and practitioners.

This research examines the relationship between the level of digitalisation of SMEs and the uptake of energy-saving measures in various European countries. Using data from the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2023 and a 2024 survey conducted by the European Commission, the study examines the percentage of SMEs with a basic level of digitalisation and the percentage of those implementing energy efficiency measures. Pearson correlation analysis was applied to assess whether digitalisation influences energy savings in SMEs.

Hospitals, as highly energy-intensive buildings, significantly contribute to a country's energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The study focuses on a hospital building in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and investigates the impact of selected energy renovation measures on hospital primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The main goal of this paper is to develop a mathematical model for establishing relationship between primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions (responses), and the three renovation measures (factors). The research uses dynamic simulation of the building's energy performance in Design Builder, validated with the actual energy consumption. Three energy renovation measures were considered in the study: installation of thermal insulation on external walls and flat roof, and the installation of a photovoltaic power plant. The Analysis of Variance and regression analysis were used to estimate factor effects, and to develop mathematical models. The analysis revealed that the installation of photovoltaic power plant on the roof and thermal insulation on the external walls had the most significant impact on reducing the building's primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Installation of insulation on the roof did not significantly affect these performances compared to the other two measures. Developed models are suitable for evaluation of potential for energy and CO2 savings through the implementation of energy efficiency measures. Study results can be extrapolated to all buildings within the same category, providing a valuable tool for energy efficiency planning in the healthcare sector.