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Thermal Assessment of Building Energy Systems: A Review approach

A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "G: Energy and Buildings".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (18 October 2023) | Viewed by 3972

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Applied Thermodynamics, School of Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering Section, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechneiou 9, Zografou Campus, 15780 Athens, Greece
Interests: thermodynamics; energy efficiency; renewable energy sources
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Applied Thermodynamics, School of Mechanical Engineering, Thermal Engineering Section, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechneiou 9, Zografou Campus, 15780 Athens, Greece
Interests: Applied thermodynamics, internal combustion engines, thermal engineering, mechanical engineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The thermal assessment of building energy systems is an important process that helps to optimize energy efficiency and reduce energy consumption in buildings. The review of building energy systems involves evaluating the performance of the HVAC systems and the building envelope to identify areas where energy waste occurs and to optimize energy usage.

There are several key factors that can impact the thermal performance of a building’s HVAC system, including the efficiency of the heating and cooling equipment, the quality of the building envelope, and the control strategy for the system.

The following are some of the key aspects of the thermal assessment of building energy systems:

  • HVAC System Efficiency: The efficiency of the HVAC system can be evaluated by analyzing the energy consumption data and comparing them to the system's rated efficiency. This can help identify areas where the system can be optimized to improve its energy efficiency.
  • Building Envelope Performance: The building envelope, which includes the walls, roof, windows, and doors, plays a crucial role in the thermal performance of a building. Evaluating the envelope's performance can help identify areas where insulation or other improvements can be made to reduce energy consumption.
  • Thermal Comfort: The HVAC system must maintain a comfortable indoor temperature for the occupants. Evaluating the system's ability to maintain the desired temperature range can help identify any issues that need to be addressed to improve thermal comfort.
  • Air Quality: The HVAC system should also provide adequate ventilation to maintain good indoor air quality. Evaluating the system's ventilation performance can help identify areas where the air exchange rate needs to be increased to maintain high air quality.

The thermal assessment of building energy systems is a critical component of building design and operation. It helps to ensure that buildings are energy-efficient, comfortable, and sustainable. By optimizing the building's HVAC system and identifying areas where energy waste occurs, designers can reduce energy consumption and improve the building's overall performance.

Prof. Dr. Irene P. Koronaki
Dr. Neofytos Komninos
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • energy efficiency
  • HVAC systems
  • zero-energy buildings
  • renewable energy sources

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

27 pages, 3303 KiB  
Review
Geothermal Solutions for Urban Energy Challenges: A Focus on CO2 Plume Geothermal Systems
by George Antoneas and Irene Koronaki
Energies 2024, 17(2), 294; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17020294 - 6 Jan 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1670
Abstract
The utilization of geological formations, distinguished by natural porosity and permeability and protected by low-permeability caprock, has emerged as an effective strategy for carbon dioxide (CO2) storage. This method significantly contributes to mitigating anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the challenges [...] Read more.
The utilization of geological formations, distinguished by natural porosity and permeability and protected by low-permeability caprock, has emerged as an effective strategy for carbon dioxide (CO2) storage. This method significantly contributes to mitigating anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions and addressing the challenges of climate change. Recent research has unveiled the potential of CO2 to enhance geothermal heat energy extraction in geothermal reservoirs by acting as a subsurface heat exchange fluid. This review paper explores the viability of CO2 in augmenting geothermal heat energy extraction, comparing it to conventional water-based geothermal systems. Special emphasis is placed on CO2 plume geothermal (CPG) systems, characterized by rapid deployment and long-term utilization of geothermal energy resources. With the overarching objective of establishing net-zero energy communities, the analysis of such systems offers a comprehensive understanding of their features, providing a fresh perspective on extracted energy within the context of energy supply in integrated, sustainable energy in built systems. Notably, these systems demonstrate efficacy in meeting the power requirements of an energy community, spanning both distinct heating and electricity needs. However, the key challenge lies in selecting suitable locations. This scientific review aims to comprehend the characteristics of CPG under specific temperature and pressure conditions while optimizing subsurface permeability. This insight is pivotal for identifying future locations for CPG operations with the intent of powering small energy communities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Assessment of Building Energy Systems: A Review approach)
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28 pages, 4764 KiB  
Review
Radiant Floor Cooling Systems: A Critical Review of Modeling Methods
by Marco Bizzarri, Paolo Conti, Leon R. Glicksman, Eva Schito and Daniele Testi
Energies 2023, 16(17), 6160; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16176160 - 24 Aug 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2013
Abstract
Radiant floor heating systems have become a reference technology, but their use for cooling purposes has proven inconvenient in many applications due to their reduced cooling capacity and condensation issues. Nonetheless, potentialities and drawbacks of radiant floor cooling systems have been frequently addressed [...] Read more.
Radiant floor heating systems have become a reference technology, but their use for cooling purposes has proven inconvenient in many applications due to their reduced cooling capacity and condensation issues. Nonetheless, potentialities and drawbacks of radiant floor cooling systems have been frequently addressed and simulated, given the large potential advantages of employing a single emissive system for all seasons. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the modeling methods for radiant floor cooling systems proposed in scientific papers and also used in simulation software and technical standards. Models are classified according to their characterizing features, and the distinctive contributions of each method are discussed. Additionally, the modeling of the most relevant phenomena affecting floor performance is further discussed. The review revealed the presence of two main modeling classes, one only focusing on the floor’s conductive heat transfer and the other integrating active floor analysis within the building’s energy model of the thermal zone. Despite the presence of many modeling methods that are able to consider the most important effects in the radiant cooling system operation, not all the phenomena present in a practical application are fully described. Therefore, there is an ongoing need for more comprehensive, possibly easily characterizable, modeling approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermal Assessment of Building Energy Systems: A Review approach)
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