Retail Buildings Research Articles

A Machine Learning Pipeline for Demand Response Capacity Scheduling

Demand response (DR) is an integral component of smart grid operations that offers the necessary flexibility to support its decarbonisation. In incentive-based DR programs, deviations from the scheduled DR capacity affect the grid’s energy balance and result in revenue losses for the DR participants. This issue aggravates with increasing DR delivery from participants such as large consumer buildings who have limited standard methods to follow for DR capacity scheduling. Load curtailment based DR capacity availability from such consumers can be forecasted reliably with the help of supervised machine learning (ML) models. This study demonstrates the development of data-driven ML based total and flexible load forecast models for a retail building. The ML model development tasks such as data pre-processing, training-testing dataset preparation, cross-validation, algorithm selection, hyperparameter optimisation, feature ranking, model selection and model evaluation are guided by deployment-centric design criteria such as reliability, computational efficiency and scalability. Based on the selected performance metrics, the day-ahead and week-ahead ML based load forecast models developed for the retail building are shown to outperform the timeseries persistence models used for benchmarking. Furthermore, the deployment of these models for DR capacity scheduling is proposed as an ML pipeline that can be realised with the help of ML workflows, computational resources as well as systems for monitoring and visualisation. The ML pipeline ensures faster, cost-effective and large-scale deployment of forecast models that support reliable DR capacity scheduling without affecting the grid’s energy balance. Minimisation of revenue losses encourages increased DR participation from large consumer buildings, ensuring further flexibility in the smart grid.

Effects of Rooftop Photovoltaics on Building Cooling Demand and Sensible Heat Flux Into the Environment for an Installation on a White Roof

Abstract Photovoltaic (PV) panels are commonly used for on-site generation of electricity in urban environments, specifically on rooftops. However, their implementation on rooftops poses potential (positive and negative) impacts on the heating and cooling energy demand of buildings, and on the surrounding urban climate. The adverse consequences can be compounded if PV is installed on top of an otherwise highly reflective (“white”) rooftop. This study investigates these impacts on a test building in Tempe, AZ, by directly measuring the temperature of all involved surfaces. These measurements are supplemented by whole-building energy simulations to model the energy implications for archetypical residential and retail buildings. This includes calculations of the ratio of the energy demand penalty to electricity generation as well as the net sensible heat flux to the ambient environment. Results indicate that the summertime cooling energy penalty due to blockage of outgoing longwave radiation can be 4.9—11.2% of the PV electricity generation. The addition of PV to the white roof resulted in a small decrease in the computed sensible heat flux at night, but a daytime increase in sensible flux by more than a factor of 10 (from less than 25 W/m2 for the white roof alone, to more than 250 W/m2 when PV is added to the roof). This study highlights the potential unintended consequences of rooftop PV under certain conditions and provides a broader perspective for building designers and urban planners.

Improving the energy efficiency of aging retail buildings: a large department store in Lisbon as case study

The majority of opportunities to energy savings today and in the next decades are in the existing building stock, including commercial and retail ones. These are constrained by old equipment, aging infrastructure, and inadequate operations resources. In particular, we focus on a retail store located in Lisbon, El Corte Ingles, to reduce its electricity consumption while maintaining the same level of service and continuing to be a profitable business. Improving the operation of the air-handling unit (AHU) and the operation schedule of floors illumination is our focus. Data provided had long-term records of variables as the building power consumption, exterior temperature, solar irradiation, elevators, and HVAC system. Two artificial neural networks (ANN) models were developed to predict the building power consumption and indoor average temperature, which allowed verifying the impact of small variations in the AHU electricity consumption. We deal both with the indoor average temperature (comfort) and power consumption of AHU to reduce the electric energy cost. The study leads to a decrease of 9.6% of the total electricity consumption, with an average indoor temperature increasing by only 0.15 °C. The total potential savings considering all the building 48 AHUs resulted in very good savings of 34,000 euros per year.

ANALYSING THE IMPACT OF SUPPLY CHAIN AGILITY ON CUSTOMER SATISFACTION THROUGH RESPONSIVENESS AND INNOVATION

The performance of the supply chain of an organization can be a hidden resource or weapon to boost market performance and increase the profitability of the business. No other segments of the business can have the impact of the supply chain agility on reaching the market, improving the service levels, lowering retail prices and building value for both the business and the customers. The market often expects great products and services. They utilize lots of financial assets to satisfy the needs of the market. The products should be delivered on time and in good condition. In the modern-day, customers can blast a company publicly on social media if their products have not been delivered on time and this can be so damaging to the brand reputation.
 In this study, we look at some scholarly articles which have been on the bond between supply chain and customer satisfaction over the years. In the introductory phase, the paper describes in general what customer satisfaction is, what supply chain is and a statement on the relationship of the two. The body of the paper discusses deeply how these two are related and the importance of one on the other. Finally, the conclusion section provides some recommendations on how the relationship can be advanced to improve organizational outcomes.

Relating carbon and energy intensity of best-performing retailers with policy, strategy and building practice

Retail stores are amongst the building typologies with the highest carbon (CI) and energy intensities (EI). However, previous studies have only explored best practice EI of food and non-food retailers, without identifying best practice CI threshold values. This paper presents a five-step analysis of CI and EI amongst the highest revenue retailers, benchmarking best and worst performing CI and EI retailers, analysing their nationality, performing a content analysis on their CSR reports and comparing results in terms of differentiation policies, strategies and building practices that can lead to increased environmental performance. Combined CI and EI best practice threshold values were found simultaneously under 346 kWh/m2/y and 115 kg CO2eq/m2/y for food retailers and under 146 kWh/m2/y and 70 kg CO2eq/m2/y for non-food retailers. In terms of policy, best-performing retailers shared a strong top-down management commitment towards sustainability across all business areas (p = 0.04) and an increased use of referential reporting standards, particularly of GRI standards (p = 0.05) and of the GHG protocol (p = 0.01). In terms of strategy, they established ambitious energy goals, such becoming 100% supplied by renewable energy (p = 0.05) or carbon neutral by 2020. As for building practice, LED and photovoltaic technology were the most popular high-performance solutions, but only the use of natural refrigerants (p = 0.001) and gas transfer to CO2 (p = 0.0007) were related to best-performing practice. The variability of CI and EI found in this study shows that it is already possible to reduce the retail sector’s contribution to global GHG emissions considerably. The proposed best practice CI and EI reference levels, linked to corporate policy, strategy and building practice, are useful new tools for retail energy-management, which can further promote sustainability in retail buildings, thus allowing a deeper understanding of how to decarbonize the retail building sector.

Analisis Faktor Yang Mempengaruhi Brand Love Pada Produk Retail Bangunan Modern

The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of brand trust on brand love, the influence of global brand identification on brand love, the influence of self-expressive brands on brand love, and the influence of hedonic products on brand love. This research was conducted using a survey method assisted by a questionnaire distributed to respondents (consumers) of modern retail buildings located in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang, and Bekasi. This study uses multiple regression analysis with 216 respondents. This analysis is used to measure the strength of two or more variables and also shows the direction of the relationship between the dependent variable and the independent variable. Based on research on variables that affect brand love, as for the following conclusions, brand trust does not change brand love. The self-expressive brand has a significant effect on brand love. Hedonic products have no significant impact on brand love. Global brand identification is having a substantial impact on brand love. The self-expressive brand has a stronger influence on brand love compared to comprehensive brand identification. Companies can carry out programs that invite customers to capture activities while shopping at outlets. The company can do the making of an ad using models from abroad, and this is to maintain the image of the company.

Optimization of the mixture of building types in a neighborhood and their energy and environmental performance

This paper presents optimization technique of residential and commercial buildings mixture within a mixed-use neighborhood, for enhanced energy performance and less GHG emission. The study, conducted for a Northern high latitude location, investigates several parameters related to building types, their density, floor area as well as ratio of specific building types to the total built area. Several methods are employed in the investigation, including energy simulations, statistical methods, optimization and decision making. A selection method of single optimal neighborhood scenario, based on the analysis of seasonal average hourly load is proposed. The results show that an optimal commercial to built land area ranges between 22% and 32%, with the remaining area dedicated to residential buildings. Multiple combinations of residential buildings that enhance energy performance while reducing GHG emissions are formed by 50% of detached houses and 50% of combined townhouses and apartment units (with different ratios). On the commercial side, near optimal combinations of commercial buildings area is constituted by 46–75% offices, 18–45% retails, and 6–9% supermarkets. Optimizing the hourly energy load profile, a scenario combining commercial land area of 25% with equal composition of office and retail buildings (47.5%), to residential area consisting of equal proportion of single detached and townhouses (48% each) can be selected.

OPTIMUM DESIGN OF RETAIL AND WHOLESALE BUILDING FOR MINIMUM ENERGY CONSUMPTION AND TOTAL COST

The electric consumption in the building shares the highest portion in all user sectors. Therefore, energy conservation in building is important to get higher energy standard in the country. Retail and wholesale building consume high electricity. Energy consumption ratio in this building type is 40% Air conditioning, 28% Refrigeration, 12% lighting and 20% from the other. Those element need to be focused. This research is an optimization of air conditioning design and building envelope with operation schedule, refrigeration and lighting system. The objective is to find out optimization design to minimize total cost. The design criteria is to maintain requirement at day time whereas to response refrigeration system at all night. The developed designed is interacted between building system and building envelop. Case study is retail and wholesale building in Thailand. The design with life time of the machine, replacement cost and energy consumption of each option will be used to evaluate total life cycle cost. This study results in the total life cycle cost of new model of 1,014.14 M Baht comparing with 1,207.91 M Baht of conventional design. It has been saved 193.76 M Baht or 16% for 30 years. Therefore, the benefit of new improvement is very high and helps building owner to save a huge amount of money.

Electronic cigarette chemicals transfer from a vape shop to a nearby business in a multiple-tenant retail building

BackgroundElectronic cigarettes (ECs) are nicotine delivery devices that produce aerosol without combustion of tobacco; therefore, they do not produce sidestream smoke. Nevertheless, many users exhale large clouds of aerosol that...

Field measurements and energy performance analysis of renewable energy source devices in a heating and cooling system in a residential building in southern Poland

The article presents long-term results of experimental tests of a hybrid installation (HI) consisting of four heating devices, three of which use renewable energy sources (RES). The HI is operating in a residential and retail building located near Kraków, in southern Poland. There is little experience with the operation of such installations, therefore, the purpose of this paper is to discuss significant aspects related to the implementation and operation of HI in a moderate, transitory climate. The research was carried out from 2011 to 2017. The share of solar collectors in annual heat generation ranged between 7.4% and 12.5%, with an average annual efficiency to 38%. The annual performance of a ground-source heat pump in the heating mode ranged from 3.5 to 3.8, and in the passive cooling mode, it reached up to 11.87. The annual efficiency of a gas condensing boiler was from 77.5% to 82.2%. Annually, the largest amounts of heat were supplied by a biomass boiler i.e. from 30% to as much as 50%. The paper disclosed clearly that it is possible to reach in HI high level of RES share in heat generation. A key issue requiring further research is the development of appropriate algorithms in the control systems of HI.

Thermodynamic and economic investigation of a novel integration of the absorption-recompression refrigeration system with compressed air energy storage (CAES)

In this work, a novel hybrid system based on absorption-recompression refrigeration system, compressed air energy storage (CAES) and wind turbines is proposed for using in retail buildings. In proposed system, wind turbines are employed to provide electricity during off-peak hours. Using conventional environmental pollutant combustion chambers and refrigerants in CAES and refrigeration subsystems have been eliminated in present system. So, it is an entirely environmentally-friendly system. By tailoring a booster vapor compressor between the generator and condenser of the conventional absorption cycle and achieving full heat transfer between them, the efficiency has been significantly improved. To override the further energy consumption of the vapor compressor, coupling with a CAES system is investigated. Energy, exergy, economic and parametric investigations are applied to the proposed system and its single parts to have a comprehensive evaluation. As a result, 2287 kW cooling capacity, 2.431 total coefficient of performance and 56.71% roundtrip efficiency (RTE) are reached. The results indicate that the payback period of the proposed system is less than 6 years and 187.65 $ is saved in each cycle of the hybrid system. Furthermore, the exergy analysis represents that the pressure regulating valve in CAES and condenser/generator in refrigeration subsystems have the maximum exergy destruction.

The development of a carbon roadmap investment strategy for carbon intensive food retail industries

This work presents an approach to develop an innovative decarbonisation investment strategy framework for carbon intensive UK industries by using statistical analysis and optimisation modelling. The case study focuses on taking a representative sample of retail buildings and assesses the financial viability of installing low-carbon Combined Heat and Power units (CHPs) and Photovoltaic Solar Panels (PVs) across a portfolio of buildings. Simulation of each building are initially conducted, and the results generate a set of regression coefficients, via a multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), which are inputted into a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) problem. Solving the MILP yields the optimal decarbonisation investment strategy for the case study up to 2050, considering market trends such as electricity prices, gas prices and policy incentives. Results indicate the level of investment required per year, the operational and carbon savings associated, and a program for such investments. This method is reiterated for several scenarios where different parameters such as utility prices, capital costs and grid carbon factors are forecasted up to 2050 (following the Future Energy Scenarios from National Grid). This work shows how a clear mathematical framework can assist decision-makers in commercial organisations to reduce their carbon footprint cost-effectively and thus reach science-based targets.

Study on the Definition of Reference Building Based on Analysis of Design of Retail Buildings

By 2030, South Korea plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 37% compared to current business-as-usual emissions. In response, the aim of the study proposed here is to analyze current building design trends in South Korea and provide baseline data to develop a reference model for the effective reduction of GHG emissions in South Korea’s building sector. First, the energy conservation plans of a recently 3 year designed retail building will be examined. The subject of the survey was divided into the areas of construction, machinery equipment, electric equipment, and lighting. Second, statistical analysis will be performed for the medium, median, and mode values for each item investigated, which will be used to determine representative values to apply to the reference building. Third, the building will be compared with another building of similar size and finalize the settings of the reference building. Last, using simulation tools, energy consumption will be estimated and characteristics analyzed for the reference building. By expanding the energy consumption characteristics of the reference building model obtained from this study and comparing them with the building energy consumption characteristics in South Korea’s National Integrated Building Energy Management System (NIBEMS), a detailed target for the national-level building energy performance enhancement and greenhouse gas reduction management can be defined. In addition, the energy consumption potential for each technological element can be analyzed by using the reference building and policy improvement measures and incentive criteria can be established.

Energy performance evaluation of variable-speed packaged rooftop units using field measurements and building energy simulation

Packaged air-conditioning units are widely used in commercial buildings. Most packaged units in the field are equipped with constant-speed supply fans and constant-speed compressors. Many efforts have been made to increase the operational efficiency of packaged air conditioners by retrofitting existing units with improved controls or developing innovative products with advanced designs. This paper evaluates the energy performance of a packaged unit with all variable-speed components, including the supply fan, the compressor, and the condenser fan. Both a field test and energy simulation are used to quantify the potential of energy savings from the variable-speed unit (VSU) against reference units. In the field test, the reference is a six-year-old existing unit. It was determined through monitoring for one year that the VSU had a 31% higher cooling efficiency than the reference unit. In the simulation, a retail building model was used to compare the performance between the VSU and two reference units—one representing existing units in the field and the other representing units meeting the latest energy code requirements by ASHRAE Standard 90.1. Simulation results showed that depending on the climate, the VSU can save electricity consumption (including both cooling and fan) by 45%–54% relative to the first reference and by 22%–29% relative to the second reference. These findings are valuable for building designers and contractors in selecting packaged rooftop units for both new constructions and retrofits.

Combined carbon and energy intensity benchmarks for sustainable retail stores

Retail stores are amongst the building typologies with the highest carbon (CI) and energy intensities (EI). However, previous studies have only explored the EI of food and non-food retailers. This study is the first of its kind to examine the link between CI and EI. Establishing the nature of this link will allow a deeper understanding of how to decarbonize the retail sector. Here, we hypothesised whether in retail low EI correlated with low CI and how corporate revenue affected these variables. “Best practice” and “conventional practice” benchmarks were then developed to assess retail buildings' sustainability. These represent missing and highly desirable tools in retail sustainable management.Average EI and CI of food retailers were twice that of non-food retailers (EI-548 vs 238 kWh/m2/y; CI266 vs 132 kg CO₂eq/m2/y). The correlation found between EI and CI indicates that low energy consumption leads to low greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. CI variability resulted mostly of energy-efficiency strategies, of the energy production process and of GHG emissions from refrigeration systems. EI variability resulted mostly from store typology, volume and usage.The proposed benchmarks help to set energy and carbon reference performance levels in retail buildings and to stimulate best sustainable practice amongst retailers.

The Cycle of Bazaar in Heritage Open Space: Aloon-aloon Johar Area, Semarang

Retail globalization resulting in the modern building gives the influence to modernize bazaar. Is it appropriate if the government uses the same method when the bazaar cycle consecutively happens in Johar in the 1930s and 1970s when modern retail buildings were ineffectively used? There is no theory that can explain this phenomenon. The modern retail building is like a leaky container. Initially, the concept of retail in the United Kingdom is like a bazaar. The bazaar in Semarang was a tourist destination in 1950 just like a bazaar in other countries now. Next collaboration research needs to conduct with the United Kingdom and other countries that make the bazaar a tourist asset.

Innovations in shaping the residential and retail buildings. Functional and pro-environmental potential of shipping containers in architecture

Shipping containers are currently one of the innovative trends of shaping architectural objects. They are used to build portable and permanently set in the ground residential and public buildings. Realization with the use of shipping containers appear all over the world, i.a. single- and multifamily houses in the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark and France, the bus station in the Netherlands, the art gallery in Tokyo. Particularly, many realization with the use of shipping containers relate to housing environment due to ease of transport, speed of installation and assembly, shorten the construction time and pro-environmental potential. In contrary, conventional housing is responsible for ¼ forest logging area, absorbs 1/6 of fresh water resources and consumes 2/5 of liquid fuels and materials. The respect for the environment in the aspect of the global direction of shaping residential and retail buildings is particularly important. This paper focuses on pro-environmental, usably and economical aspects of architectural objects with the use of shipping containers on the example of Polish and world-wide realization.

Energy performance and profitability of biomass boilers in the commercial sector: A case study in the UK

Commercial buildings or shopping malls are characterized by large thermal and electrical energy consumptions with high variability of energy demand. Therefore, there is a large interest to explore novel renewable energy generation systems for these applications. A novel flexible configuration of biomass-fired CHP system with organic Rankine cycle (ORC) is here proposed and applied to the case study of food retail buildings in the UK. The proposed configuration adopts a molten salt (MS) circuit to transfer heat from the biomass furnace to the ORC plant. A thermal Energy Storage (TES) is proposed to improve the flexible operation of the plant and reduce the size of the biomass boiler. Molten salts have been preferred to thermal oil as they have no fire risks and low environmental impact and can be used as medium for a Two Tank TES with a “direct heating” scheme. The plant has been analysed using real input data from a biomass boiler installation, conversion efficiency and heat demand from the store. The model is informed by hourly energy costs and electricity feed in tariff in order to define optimal size and operation of the bottoming ORC for the specific case study of large commercial energy end user in the UK. The results show that the use of thermal storage in a biomass-fired ORC plant can improve the boiler efficiency and reduce the biomass consumption in thermal-load following operating mode and increase the investment profitability.

Desafios na implantação de um sistema de logística reversa de embalagens: estudo de caso em uma varejista de materiais para a construção civil

As indagações referentes à logística reversa têm ganhado atenção à medida que um conjunto de fatores de ordem estratégica, competitiva, econômica e ecológica ganham importância no contexto atual, pois apresenta soluções ou alternativas que corroboram com a ampliação da vida útil das embalagens no direcionamento para reciclagem, e que colaborem com ações sociais que visem a promoção da sustentabilidade. O objetivo principal do artigo foi analisar os desafios enfrentados na implantação de um programa de logística reversa de embalagens em uma empresa varejista de materiais de construção. Quanto aos procedimentos técnicos, foi realizada uma pesquisa de campo considerando-se como amostra não probabilística intencional uma empresa varejista localizada em João Pessoa-PB. A coleta de dados deu-se por meio da observação participativa, entrevistas não estruturadas e questionários fechados. As principais variáveis analisadas foram: Envolvimento de lideranças das empresas; A aceitação do programa de logística reversa pelas empresas clientes; Armazenagem dos materiais; Manuseio e transporte; Vendas, custo e geração de valor; impactos nas rotinas da empresa implantadora. Apresentou-se algumas dificuldades, onde se destaca a falta de comprometimento das construtoras e seus funcionários na segregação dos produtos. No entanto, evidenciou-se melhorias nas relações interorganizacionais devido ao envolvimento de gestores no programa de logística reversa.

Assessment of the Price Variation of Building Materials for Housing Development in North Central Nigeria

High cost of building materials has long been recognized as impediment to housing delivery and affordability in most developing countries. Its manifestation is further evident in significant variations in proportions of materials and labour costs in the procurement process of construction elements of building projects. This study employs an informal procurement/pricing process to determine the variation in total price of standardized retail and bulk building materials for housing development in Lokoja and Minna (both in the North Central Nigeria). A market survey of 12 selected building materials for the construction of 2 and 3 bedroom flats was conducted on 214 major distributors and 226 wholesalers and retailers of the building materials in the two study areas. Findings from this present study provide evidence that differences in retail and bulk prices of building materials do not vary significantly across geographical locations. However, property type alone accounts for 89% of the variance in the retail and bulk price of building materials. A plausible explanation for the significant effect of property type is that the prices of building materials seemingly compensate for the additional or extra bedroom or other extra housing attributes resulting from housing units of different size. The results of the empirical analysis further provide evidence that the type of purchase, geographical location and property type do not depend on the effect of the other in influencing the price of building materials for housing development, even at an intra-urban scale.