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Applied Sciences
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Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in Buildings
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Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in Buildings

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Civil Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 October 2024) | Viewed by 5042

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Rafael Royo-Pastor

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Industrial, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Interests: architectural engineering; heat transfer; building energy efficiency

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, in the face of the climate crisis and the necessary reduction in energy consumption, different international organizations, such as the European Commission, have underlined the important role that buildings play in this indicator. Buildings are a very important opportunity to reduce the energy consumed by our society, while other sectors, such as industry or transport, present much greater difficulties. It is important to point out that we currently possess the technology to achieve this reduction in consumption without a reduction in thermal comfort, and achieving this binomial (a reduction in energy consumption and an increase in thermal comfort simultaneously) is the most important issue. Nowadays, this is possible, and it is the focus of this Special Issue, in which any type of research is welcome that rigorously contributes to these objectives.

Energy efficiency has been shown to be a fundamental tool, not only in the construction materials involved (insulation, phase change material, reduction in density, or increase in stored energy as intended), but also in the components used for climatization. It is necessary to highlight the use of heat pumps for which energy is taken from the environment that is considered most appropriate, renewable, and economical.

Any additional considerations will be welcomed since the width of the issue allows any additional contribution!

Prof. Dr. Rafael Royo-Pastor
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • advanced building materials
  • infrared thermography
  • energy efficiency
  • heat pumps
  • zero-energy buildings
  • phase change materials
  • U-value

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

27 pages, 3067 KiB  
Article
Triple Validation of Calibrated Building Energy Models with Different Air Infiltration Values
by Gabriela Bastos Porsani, Juan Bautista Echeverría Trueba and Carlos Fernández Bandera
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(23), 10828; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142310828 - 22 Nov 2024
Viewed by 677
Abstract
Model calibration refines design-stage inputs to align with real-world building performance. Accurate parameter selection, especially for highly sensitive variables like air leakage, is crucial. This study compared two building energy model calibration methods. The “classic” method adjusted indoor air capacitance, internal mass, and [...] Read more.
Model calibration refines design-stage inputs to align with real-world building performance. Accurate parameter selection, especially for highly sensitive variables like air leakage, is crucial. This study compared two building energy model calibration methods. The “classic” method adjusted indoor air capacitance, internal mass, and air infiltration, while a novel method focused on capacitance and internal mass, using empirical data for infiltration. The infiltration values were calculated using the decay equation and the EnergyPlus equations with site-specific coefficients. A triple validation assessed model performance in terms of temperature (CIBSE TM63), energy consumption (minimization), and indoor air quality (represented by CO2 levels in accordance with the ASTM D5157 Standard). Results demonstrated the novel method’s superiority across all three performance metrics. All calibrated models met the CIBSE TM63 criteria even during the validation period, which was five times longer than the training period. Compared to the classic method, models incorporating dynamic empirical infiltration showed a 29% and 26% improvement in MAE and RMSE, respectively, in temperature prediction. In energy consumption results, the novel method models presented a 31% reduction, and for CO2 level agreement, these models achieved a 130% higher R2 value than the classic model. In addition, the classic method’s infiltration values failed to meet ASTM D5157 requirements, suggesting reliance on unrealistic parameter values for accurate temperature representation. The incorporation of calculated air leakage data into the BEM allowed a more realistic estimation of capacitance and internal mass values, emphasizing the importance of accurate air infiltration modeling for overall model reliability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in Buildings)
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21 pages, 9713 KiB  
Article
CFD Study of the Impact of an Electrical Power Transformer on a Historical Building: Assessment and Solutions
by Fabio Nardecchia, Luca Gugliermetti, Laura Pompei and Federico Cinquepalmi
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(23), 10827; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142310827 - 22 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 688
Abstract
Historical building reuse is aimed at preservation, where buildings are recovered for new uses connected to cultural activities. This paper presents the analysis of the impact of thermo-fluid dynamics due to a 500 kW electrical power transformer installed inside a historical building. The [...] Read more.
Historical building reuse is aimed at preservation, where buildings are recovered for new uses connected to cultural activities. This paper presents the analysis of the impact of thermo-fluid dynamics due to a 500 kW electrical power transformer installed inside a historical building. The analysis is performed using computational fluid dynamics simulations validated through measurement campaigns carried out during the summer period. High temperatures and wide humidity variations can damage building plasters and cause malfunctions in power equipment. To avoid these situations, two different installation layouts were studied. One consists of the power transformer directly installed in the environment and cooled by an inlet fan, and the other consists of the power transformer being insulated from the external environment by an enclosure connected to a forced ventilation system. The second layout showed better results both inside and outside the transformer enclosure. The maximum indoor condition was about 4.3 °C, with a −7.2% RH and an airflow rate of 1100 m3/h, and the maximum outdoor air condition was 3.3 °C, with a −1.39% RH and a flow rate of 2200 m3/h. However, the temperatures and humidity inside the building and outside the transformer enclosure were almost the same. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in Buildings)
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22 pages, 1159 KiB  
Article
Energetic Analysis of Passive Solar Strategies for Residential Buildings with Extreme Summer Conditions
by Stephanny Nogueira, Ana I. Palmero-Marrero, David Borge-Diez, Emin Açikkalp and Armando C. Oliveira
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(22), 10761; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142210761 - 20 Nov 2024
Viewed by 915
Abstract
This study investigates the implementation of passive design strategies to improve the thermal environment in the extremely hot climates of Brazil, Portugal, and Turkey. Given the rising cooling demands due to climate change, optimizing energy efficiency in buildings is essential. Using the Trace [...] Read more.
This study investigates the implementation of passive design strategies to improve the thermal environment in the extremely hot climates of Brazil, Portugal, and Turkey. Given the rising cooling demands due to climate change, optimizing energy efficiency in buildings is essential. Using the Trace 3D Plus v6.00.106 software, typical residential buildings for each country were simulated to assess various passive solutions, such as building orientation, wall and roof modifications, glazing optimization options, window-to-wall ratio (WTWR) reduction, shading, and natural ventilation. The findings highlight that Brazil experienced the higher discomfort temperatures compared to Mediterranean climates, with indoor air temperatures exceeding 28 °C all year round and remaining between 34 °C and 37 °C for nearly 40% of the time. Building orientation had a minimal impact near the equator, while Mediterranean climates benefited from an up to 10% variation in energy demand. Thermal insulation combined with white exterior paint resulted in Şanlıurfa experiencing annual energy savings of up to 26%. Optimal roof solutions yielded a 19% demand reduction in Évora, while WTWR reduction and double-colored glazing achieved up to a 35% reduction in Évora and 19% in other regions. Combined strategies achieved energy demand reductions of 44% for Évora, 40% for Şanlıurfa, and 32% for Teresina. The study emphasizes the need for integrated, climate-specific passive solutions, showing their potential to enhance both energy efficiency and the thermal environment in residential buildings across diverse hot climates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in Buildings)
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24 pages, 5211 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Building Tool by Energy Baseline: Case Study
by Rosaura Castrillón-Mendoza, Javier M. Rey-Hernández, Larry Castrillón-Mendoza and Francisco J. Rey-Martínez
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(20), 9403; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14209403 - 15 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1188
Abstract
This study explores innovative methodologies for estimating the energy baseline (EnBL) of a university classroom building, emphasizing the critical roles of data quality and model selection in achieving accurate energy efficiency assessments. We compare time series models that are suitable for buildings with [...] Read more.
This study explores innovative methodologies for estimating the energy baseline (EnBL) of a university classroom building, emphasizing the critical roles of data quality and model selection in achieving accurate energy efficiency assessments. We compare time series models that are suitable for buildings with limited consumption data with univariate and multivariate regression models that incorporate additional variables, such as weather and occupancy. Furthermore, we investigate the advantages of dynamic simulation using the EnergyPlus engine (V5, USDOE United States) and Design Builder software v7, enabling scenario analysis for various operational conditions. Through a comprehensive case study at the UAO University Campus, we validate our models using daily monitoring data and statistical analysis in RStudio. Our findings reveal that model choice significantly influences energy consumption forecasts, leading to potential overestimations or underestimations of savings. By rigorously assessing statistical validation and error analysis results, we highlight the implications for decarbonization strategies in building design and operation. This research provides a valuable framework for selecting appropriate methodologies for energy baseline estimation, enhancing transparency and reliability in energy performance assessments. These contributions are particularly relevant for optimizing energy use and aligning with regulatory requirements in the pursuit of sustainable building practices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in Buildings)
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35 pages, 8530 KiB  
Article
Development and Application of a Novel Non-Iterative Balancing Method for Hydronic Systems
by Federico Pedranzini, Luigi P. M. Colombo and Francesco Romano
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(14), 6232; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14146232 - 17 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1047
Abstract
The improvement of efficiency in new and existing buildings is one of the key aspects in achieving the climate change targets promoted by international regulatory and technical bodies, and among the measures that deserve renewed attention is the balancing of hydronic systems. However, [...] Read more.
The improvement of efficiency in new and existing buildings is one of the key aspects in achieving the climate change targets promoted by international regulatory and technical bodies, and among the measures that deserve renewed attention is the balancing of hydronic systems. However, the balancing procedures currently applied have not been updated for decades and are still largely unimplemented, as they are mainly based on cumbersome and iterative procedures. This paper deals with the proposal and advanced adaptation of a non-iterative balancing method previously developed for air systems, known as the progressive flow method (PFM). The application to water systems of the PFM’s concepts includes some aspects of an existing empirical method called the compensated method (CM) and overcomes its main limitations; moreover, the original PFM has been radically rethought in its implementation aspects, taking advantage of the tightness of water distribution systems, minimising instrumentation and the number of measurement operations, to definitively overcome the iterative nature of the currently applied methods. Experimental validation was carried out. Compared with a standard method, the enhanced PFM reduced the number of measurements by 48% and the number of balancing operations by 41%, achieving final flow rates within tolerances and the same configuration of balancing devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in Buildings)
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