Use of Automated Control Systems and Advanced Energy Simulations in the Design of Climate Responsive Educational Building for Mediterranean Area

Abstract

Over the decades, a rapidly changing climate has prompted the world’s most influential leaders and institutions to take action against such an imminent threat. The introduction of Nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) concept, though, has barely triggered a major shift, while voluntary labelling systems do not seem to offer any reasonable alternative. Building design ought to be readdressed from the ground up, with climate-responsive constructions servings as a valuable starting point for the purpose. In this paper, conventional bioclimatic design is enhanced and supported by the introduction of Building Automation Control Systems: Typically, the former determines long-term seasonal patterns, whereas the latter only affects the short-term behavior. Their schedules are based on realistic assumptions, while set-points are fine-tuned following energy simulations. Good results have been achieved for a case-study facility in Porto, both in terms of indoor adaptive thermal comfort (the simulated operative temperature complies the adaptive comfort model for more than 98% of the reference year) and energy use (reduced by 53%, compared to a baseline building, devoid of any automation system). Being focused on the decision-making rather than on specific items of design, the authors claim that such an approach may be employed in any climate, regardless of the building type or size, as long as the process is driven by a genuine analysis of the local context (i.e., climate) and by purposefully devised energy simulations.

How Climate Trends Impact on the Thermal Performance of a Typical Residential Building in Madrid

“…Indoor temperature differences between maximum and minimum values vary depending on the climate file. When the EPW file is used, differences range between 19…”

Numerical Assessment of Bioclimatic Architecture Strategies for Buildings Design in Tropical Climates: A Case of Study in Panama

“…On the other hand, different studies support the energy-saving capacity of up to 70% in architectural solutions, from a logical adaptation to the climate. For this, the heat interactions between the indoor and outdoor environment need to be correctly used by taking advantage of the resources offered by nature (light, wind, vegetation, soil humidity, environmental temperature, among others), maximizing the energy efficiency of buildings and minimizing the use of mechanical air conditioning systems [6,7].…”

Effect of Architectural Building Design Parameters on Thermal Comfort and Energy Consumption in Higher Education Buildings

“…Although these studies have highlighted the factors contributing to thermal comfort in buildings, the energy consumption aspect has not been taken into consideration. Other studies have focused on the simulation results of the passive house concept in Mediterranean country climates [36] and building envelope parameters managed by building automation control systems [37] in relation to thermal comfort and energy performance. With the high impact of global warming on buildings, there are insufficient studies on the effects of ABDPs on thermal comfort and energy consumption in educational buildings [38,39].…”