Energy and environmental payback times for an NZEB retrofit

Asdrubali, Francesco; Ballarini, Ilaria; Corrado, Vincenzo; Evangelisti, Luca; Grazieschi, Gianluca; Guattari, Claudia

doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.10.047

Cited by 104 publications

(57 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…It was decided that this would be the lowest the EUI could go through improving the efficiency of the building components. This study took the average electrical cost based on the UK price at 0.13 £/kWh [44][45][46] and, the reduced cost of both improve thermal efficiency and Insight software methods were compared with the standard method as shown in Table 3.…”

Section: Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Digital-Twin Evaluation of Net Zero Energy Building for Existing Buildings

2018

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With buildings around the world accounting for nearly one-third of global energy demand and the availability of fossil fuels constantly on the decline, there is a need to ensure that this energy demand is efficiently and effectively managed using renewable energy now more than ever. Most research and case studies have focused on energy efficiency of ‘new’ buildings. In this study, both technical and financial viability of Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) for ‘existing’ buildings will be highlighted. A rigorous review of open literatures concerning seven principal areas that in themselves define the concept of NZEB building is carried out. In practice, a suitable option of the NZEB solutions is needed for the evaluation and improvement for a specific geographical area. The evaluation and improvement has been carried out using a novel hierarchy-flow chart coupled with a Building Information Model (BIM). This BIM or digital twin is then used to thoroughly visualize each option, promote collaboration among stakeholders, and accurately estimate associated costs and associated technical issues encountered with producing an NZEB in a pre-determined location. This paper also provides a future model for NZEB applications in existing buildings, which applies renewable technologies to the building by aiming to identify ultimate benefit of the building especially in terms of effectiveness and efficiency in energy consumption. It is revealed that the digital twin is proven to be feasible for all renewable technologies applied on the NZEB buildings. Based on the case study in the UK, it can be affirmed that the suitable NZEB solution for an existing building can achieve the 23 year return period.

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Section: Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Digital-Twin Evaluation of Net Zero Energy Building for Existing Buildings

2018

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“…There is a lock-in effect of energy consumption and GHG emissions pathways, related to the long life-span of buildings (Seto et al 2014). Therefore, deep and urgent building retrofit and energy efficiency measures are paramount to mitigate energy consumption levels and consequently GHG emissions, as stated by Lucon et al (2014) and evidenced in case studies such as that by Asdrubali et al (2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Harvesting big data from residential building energy performance certificates: retrofitting and climate change mitigation insights at a regional scale

Gouveia

Palma

2019

Environ. Res. Lett.

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The reduction of energy consumption and the increase in energy efficiency is currently an important cornerstone of EU policy. Energy performance certificates (EPCs) were implemented as one of the tools to promote this agenda, and are used for the energy performance assessment of buildings. In this study, the characteristics of the Portuguese dwelling stock are regionally analysed using data from approximately 523,000 Portuguese residential EPCs. Furthermore, a bottom-up building typology approach is used to assess the regional energy needs impact of retrofitting actions and to estimate the heating and cooling energy performance gaps of the whole dwelling stock, as well as the potential CO 2 emissions resulting from the gaps' potential offset due to increase thermal comfort. The results show that Portuguese residential buildings have very low energy performance, with windows and roofs being identified as the most energy inefficient elements. Roof retrofitting has the highest potential for the reduction of energy needs. The estimated heating and cooling energy performance gap amount to very significant percentages, due to the poor performing building stock but also very low energy consumption levels, with probable consequences for the thermal comfort of occupants. Assuming the current energy mix, carbon emissions would be 9.8 and 20.2 times higher associated with heating and cooling, respectively, if the actual final energy consumption were to match the estimated theoretical values derived from building regulation. This study demonstrates several application cases and leverages the potential of the individual EPC, increasing the detail in the dwelling stock characterization and energy performance estimation, revealing its value for energy retrofit and climate change mitigation assessments, as well as establishing the ground for future work related to building retrofits, energy efficiency measure implementation, climate change mitigation, thermal comfort, and energy poverty studies.

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“…Meanwhile, Asdrubali pointed out, the payback times for technologies in a primary school, including envelope insulation, heat pumps, PV panels, solar collectors, and LEDs. Comparing this result with the economy degree, it is the same, in that the lighting application is the most cost-effective, then the PV and heat pump, and the enclosure insulation is the last [35]. Therefore, technology products must be applicable for the energy use and the architectural characteristics of particular building types.…”

Section: Optimisation Strategy Of Eight Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 95%

Evaluation Model and Strategy for Selecting Carbon Reduction Technology for Campus Buildings in Primary and Middle Schools in the Yangtze River Delta Region, China

Luo

2020

Sustainability

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Cutting down global warming and reducing greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide are important global targets. Accounting for a third of global energy consumption, the building construction industry is an important target for carbon reduction. Campus buildings, of which there are a large number in China, differ from other building types, as they have noteworthy energy-use characteristics and technology selection requirements. This study identifies the carbon reduction technologies in Chinese primary and middle schools commonly used for energy and water conservation, and then evaluates their performance according to degrees of carbon reduction, maturity and economic suitability. Based on these three indicators, the study creates a three-dimensional evaluation model for the different technologies examined in order to obtain a selection ranking. The study offers guidance for project practice in the construction of primary and middle schools and helps to promote the development of the low-carbon campus.

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Energy and environmental payback times for an NZEB retrofit

Cited by 104 publications

References 36 publications

A Digital-Twin Evaluation of Net Zero Energy Building for Existing Buildings

A Digital-Twin Evaluation of Net Zero Energy Building for Existing Buildings

Harvesting big data from residential building energy performance certificates: retrofitting and climate change mitigation insights at a regional scale

Evaluation Model and Strategy for Selecting Carbon Reduction Technology for Campus Buildings in Primary and Middle Schools in the Yangtze River Delta Region, China

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