Role of passive design and alternative energy in building energy optimization

Abstract

Energy consumption in buildings can be reduced by employing passive design strategies and with the use of alternative energy resources mainly solar photovoltaic and solar thermal. These measures not only help in reducing the energy bills but also help in mitigating climate change efforts. An optimal solution was obtained by the employment of these measures along with the use of building optimization techniques. Heating, ventilating and air conditioning applications are the conventional means for provision of thermal comfort and are also the highest consumers in building energy. The study establishes that certain passive measures in the design features of the building envelope, either during planning and construction or in retrofitting, can help reduce the overall energy consumption of the building without compromising the occupants’ comfort level. This study demonstrated that solar energies as well as the building parameters such as roof/wall thickness, window/wall ratio and optimum sizing of windows can reduce the energy consumption by as much as 33%. The results reflect that the selection of appropriate building parameters is very important in achieving building energy efficiency. MATLAB has been employed along with TOPSIS for optimization to approach a near zero energy building.

Passive Design Strategies for Energy Efficient Buildings in the Arabian Desert

“…The reductions were 39.5, 33.7, 35, 32.7 and 22.7% for the buildings located in Riyadh, Jeddah, Dhahran, Tabuk and Abha, respectively. A study (Gondal et al, 2019) conducted to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings by employing passive design strategies and alternative energy resources. MATLAB and TOPSIS software have been employed for this optimization.…”

Evaluation approach of terminal energy consumption of public buildings based on a standardized model

“…[1][2][3] Factors affecting terminal energy consumption of public buildings can be categorized into different types in accordance with their building functions. According to previous publications, [4][5][6][7] four types of factors are classified as follows: (1) Meteorological parameters: outdoor dry bulb temperature, solar radiation and wind speed; (2) interior information: occupancy number, power density of lighting and equipment; (3) building schedule: building operating schedule; and (4) basic building information: years of usage, floor area, height, number of stories, building structure, external wall material, external window type and form of air conditioning terminals.…”

Thermal and humid environment of rammed-earth dwellings in Northwest Sichuan

“…1 Preparation of traditional building materials such as cement, steel and concrete accounts for a large proportion of construction energy consumption. Studies have shown that certain passive measures 2 and renewable building materials 3 in the construction of the building envelope can help reduce the overall energy consumption of the building without compromising the occupants' comfort level. Rammed-earth materials provide good heat storage and humidity control, can be used locally, can be recycled and reused without industrial treatment, and are ecologically sustainable.…”