Assessing the Energy Efficiency and Environmental impact of an Egyptian Hospital Building

Abstract

Energy consumption in Egypt’s buildings has increased considerably with the growing need to achieve thermal comfort conditions inside buildings. The continuing increases in both residential and commercial buildings require an increase in power generation meeting the new demand. Energy consumption in buildings increases yearly due to the increase in HVAC systems operating hours. It is desirable to minimize the energy consumption and to promote the use of renewable energy resources, saving the earth from global warming effects and the depletion of the ozone layer. In hot and humid climatic regions, high temperatures with high humidity levels results in humans’ discomfort leading to high HVAC energy consumption. In order to understand the energy performance in Egyptian hospitals as they have special requirements and massive energy consumption of HVAC equipment, medical equipment, lighting and infection control systems a hospital located in Alexandria, Egypt was chosen as a case study. The study aims to investigate the energy consumption in Egyptian hospitals and to evaluate the energy-saving efficiency of an existing building. A model for under construction hospital was created using DesignBuilder simulation tool. The initial model was validated based on the hospital construction and mechanical consultants’ data. The initial model was then retrofitted firstly to the latest outdoor design conditions and weather file data recommended by ASHRAE and NREL. Energy efficient techniques affecting annual HVAC energy consumption and whole building energy were investigated. The study provides information for energy efficiency improvements in Alexandria, Egypt hospitals helping designers managing energy in buildings reducing the energy consumption sufficiently. A new DOAS was implemented for temperature and humidity independent control of HVAC system showing significant energy saving in both HVAC and whole building energy consumption. This research recommends a new energy models for future hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt improving the energy efficiency in Egyptian buildings.

Evaluating heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems toward minimizing the airborne transmission risk of Mucormycosis and COVID-19 infections in built environment

“…Following the validation, a sensitivity analysis is undertaken to reveal that around 45% of the building energy use goes to the HVAC systems aligned with the values provided by Refs. [ 18 , 19 , 25 , 29 , 30 ].…”

“…The DOAS system is a conceivable alternative HVAC solution supplying the exact amount of recommended outside ventilation air required by each zone [ 19 ]. The air is introduced at lower dew-point temperatures, allowing it to absorb the space latent load as well as a portion of the sensible load, effectively decoupling the latent and sensible loads [ 18 , 19 , 32 ].…”

“…They added that the upcoming difficulties, include maintaining a constant focus on recognized risks and handling practices transition when new objectives and issues emerge. In hot climatic regions, William et al [ 18 , 19 ] investigated the effectiveness of the dedicated outdoor air system (DOAS) on a healthcare facility's energy consumption. On the other hand, and with the global concerns about mucormycosis, it is brought to our attention that HVAC systems can effectively enhance the control of moisture indoors, eliminating the growth of mold.…”

Energy Efficiency Initiatives for A Hospital Building in Malaysia

“…Table 1 shows the existing studies on energy efficiency initiatives implementation at hospital buildings around the world. [15] Thermal insulation at external walls and roof A. Radwan, A. Hanafy [23,25] Egypt M. William, A. El-Haridi [25] Egypt J. Garcia-Sanz-Calcedo, A. Al-Kassir [30] Spain D. Hyseni, D. Tashevski [27] Kosovo Efficient maintenance operations B. Nourdine et al, [31] Morocco J. Garcia-Sanz-Calcedo, A. Al-Kassir [30] Spain M. Gomez-Chaparro et al, [32] Spain…”

Building envelopes toward energy‐efficient buildings: A balanced multi‐approach decision making

“…8 Among building end-uses, HVAC systems represent approximately 50%. 4,9,10 Population growth and thermal comfort are the main contributors to the continuing increase in buildings' energy demand. In developing countries, approximately half of the energy in a building is used for space conditioning, with an additional 20% of plug loads, illumination, and other internal processes.…”