Energy and Economic Assessment of Energy Efficiency Options for Energy Districts: Case Studies in Italy and Egypt

Abstract

In this research, a technoeconomic comparison of energy efficiency options for energy districts located in different climatic areas (Naples, Italy and Fayoum, Egypt) is presented. A dynamic simulation model based on TRNSYS is developed to evaluate the different energy efficiency options, which includes different buildings of conceived districts. The TRNSYS model is integrated with the plug-in Google SketchUp TRNSYS3d to estimate the thermal load of the buildings and the temporal variation. The model considers the unsteady state energy balance and includes all the features of the building’s envelope. For the considered climatic zones and for the different energy efficiency measures, primary energy savings, pay back periods and reduced CO2 emissions are evaluated. The proposed energy efficiency options include a district heating system for hot water supply, air-to-air conventional heat pumps for both cooling and space heating of the buildings and the integration of photovoltaic and solar thermal systems. The energy actions are compared to baseline scenarios, where the hot water and space heating demand is satisfied by conventional natural gas boilers, the cooling demand is met by conventional air-to-air vapor compression heat pumps and the electric energy demand is satisfied by the power grid. The simulation results provide valuable guidance for selecting the optimal designs and system configurations, as well as suggest guidelines to policymakers to define decarbonization targets in different scenarios. The scenario of Fayoum offers a savings of 67% in primary energy, but the associated payback period extends to 23 years due to the lower cost of energy in comparison to Naples.

Recent Advances in Low-Carbon and Sustainable, Efficient Technology: Strategies and Applications

“…Calise et al [178] presented a technoeconomic comparison regarding various efficiency options (solar-energy technologies, improvements in building envelop in Naples (Italy) and Fayoum (Egypt) with dynamic estimation models in a T environment. The paper proposed an innovative system including a district network for hot water production and a space-heating strategy.…”

“…Calise et al [178] presented a technoeconomic comparison regarding various energyefficiency options (solar-energy technologies, improvements in building envelopes, etc.) in Naples (Italy) and Fayoum (Egypt) with dynamic estimation models in a TRNSYS environment.…”

State-of-the-Art Technologies for Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Systems

“…Results also indicated that the electrical efficiency was around 15.1% and the system presented clear advantages to buildings, essentially due to the electrical power generated by PV modules, also to participate to heat the adjacent zone to the building. A dynamic simulation model based on TRNSYS to assess different options of energy efficiency, primary saving of energy, payback period, and CO 2 emissions including different buildings in various districts i.e., Naples in Italy and Fayoum in Egypt, was developed [132]. The model included the energy balance for transient operation, while incorporating the geometrical building envelope.…”

What Is the Macroeconomic Impact of Higher Decarbonization Speeds? The Case of Greece

“…These studies also refer to various regional levels. For example, Calise et al [51] assesses different energy efficiency measures from a technological and economic point of view for two cities in Italy and Egypt, Nasirov et al [52] evaluates the macroeconomic impacts of different carbon phaseout trajectories for the Chilean economy, while Gonzalez-Salazar et al [53] examines the feasibility and potential of different coal phase-out scenarios in Berlin.…”