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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 November 2021) | Viewed by 16245

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Magdalena Hajdukiewicz

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Guest Editor

School of Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
Interests: Sustainable buildings; Building performance monitoring and modelling; Control optimisation of energy efficient buildings; Thermal comfort

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We face many challenges which go beyond borders, require cooperation at global level but affect and can be affected by the lives of every person in every local place’ (Michael D. Higgins, The President of Ireland, 2018). The challenges, such as those of poverty, inequality, climate and environmental degradation, prosperity, peace and justice (United Nations SDGs, 2015), must be tackled at international, national and local levels to create a better and more sustainable future, where the level of consumption is balanced with environmental resources; equality, freedom and healthy standards of living in society are the norm; and a stable economy serves all citizens and enables society to develop in a balanced way.

Human induced climate change, growing human population and rapid urbanisation require novel approaches and solutions to the design and operation of our buildings and infrastructure. With people spending on average 90% of their lives indoors, the impact of buildings on people‘s health, safety and well-being is extremely important. Furthermore, the recent Covid-19 pandemic intensified the risks posed by densely populated cities (over 90% of Covid-19 cases are in urban areas). Next-generation thinking is required to ensure safe, healthy, resilient and sustainable built environment and communities.

This special issue welcomes submissions in the following topics:

Sustainable and resilient built environment.
Energy efficient and healthy buildings.
Urban air quality, water and waste management.
Safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport.
Inclusive and sustainable urban planning.

Dr. Magdalena Hajdukiewicz
Guest Editor

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

Sustainable built environment
Resilient built environment
Resilient communities
Energy efficient buildings
Healthy buildings
Air quality
Water management
Waste management
Sustainable transport
Sustainable planning

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 715 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Assessment of the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of Energy Efficient Retrofits to Existing Residential Buildings

by Orlaith McGinley, Paul Moran and Jamie Goggins

Energies 2022, 15(1), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15010334 - 4 Jan 2022

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3834

Abstract

Quantifying the wider benefits of energy efficient building retrofits is crucial to incentivise householder retrofit investments. This research recognises the value of key performance indicators (KPIs) for assessing and demonstrating retrofitting benefits and provides an assessment of KPIs for evaluating retrofits. An integrated framework for evaluating retrofits using a set of economic, social, and environmental KPIs is proposed. This KPI framework is then applied in a pre- and post-retrofit assessment of five case study dwellings located in Ireland, revealing its usefulness in demonstrating the wider benefits of retrofitting to householders, with a view to driving retrofit investment. Three of these case study dwellings had state-of-the-art retrofit technologies installed as part of the works, including heat pumps and solar PV systems. In addition to demonstrating the wider benefits of retrofitting, the framework allowed for the identification of potential causes for differences in performance of these technologies across households, as well as patterns of underperformance. Such insights are useful for the future design of these technologies and retrofit packages, as well as policy measures, which support householders in the adoption and use of these measures. The results demonstrate that householders experience various benefits from retrofitting. Showcasing the different benefits that householders receive from retrofitting, and their satisfaction with the retrofit works, can serve to de-risk retrofit investments, and inspire others to seek similar benefits through retrofitting. Applying the developed framework to a larger, comparable sample size, can distinguish the retrofit packages, which perform best across the KPIs and various household profiles. Furthermore, the application of the developed framework can serve as an evidence base for retrofit designers, contractors, and policy makers in the design of retrofit packages and policy measures that will maximise the benefit for householders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Resilient Built Environment and Communities)

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27 pages, 5081 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Way of Usage and Location in a Big City Agglomeration as Impact Factors of the Nurseries Indoor Air Quality

by Małgorzata Basińska, Katarzyna Ratajczak, Michał Michałkiewicz, Paweł Fuć and Maciej Siedlecki

Energies 2021, 14(22), 7534; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14227534 - 11 Nov 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1513

Abstract

The quality of outdoor air in many places, especially in urbanized areas, is bad; therefore, a series of studies aimed at assessing the impact of outdoor air parameters on indoor air quality was conducted. Four nurseries (three buildings) located in different parts of Poznań, Poland were selected as research sites. During the research period, the concentrations of CO₂, PM2.5, and PM10 inside and outside the buildings over time were analyzed. Measurements outside the buildings were supplemented with an analysis of traffic near nurseries and an assessment of pollutant emissions from vehicles of various categories. Measurements were conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in a weekly series during winter (December)—(W), spring (April)—(S), and at the end of spring (June)—(LS). Testing and analyses indicated poor indoor air quality in three out of four nurseries. To ensure indoor air quality at the proper level, it is necessary to supply rooms with outside air. Ventilating rooms by airing, when the outside air is polluted, reduces the CO₂ concentration but worsens the indoor air quality in terms of particulate matter (PM). Seasonality in the concentration of particulate matter in outdoor air and its connection with the outside air temperature was noticed. No relationship between traffic and the values of PM10 and CO₂ concentrations inside nurseries was observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Resilient Built Environment and Communities)

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17 pages, 1768 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Deployment and Optimisation of a Pilot-Scale IASBR System for Treatment of Dairy Processing Wastewater

by Peter Leonard, Eoghan Clifford, William Finnegan, Alma Siggins and Xinmin Zhan

Energies 2021, 14(21), 7365; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14217365 - 5 Nov 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1803

Abstract

Increased pressure is being applied to industrial wastewater treatment facilities to adhere to more stringent regulations for the discharge of treated wastewater and to improve energy efficiency of the process. Nitrogen and phosphorous removal can be challenging to achieve efficiently, and in the case of phosphorous removal, can often necessitate the use of chemicals. There is a major drive globally to improve wastewater treatment infrastructure, whilst simultaneously reducing the carbon footprint of the process. The intermittently aerated sequencing batch reactor offers a modification of the well-known sequencing batch reactor process that can enable lower energy requirements than conventional sequencing batch reactor processes and can facilitate enhanced nutrient removal capacities. However, to date much of the previous literature has focused on relatively short laboratory-scale trials (often with synthetic wastewater) which may not be representative of larger scale system performance. This study explored the intermittently aerated sequencing batch reactor technology via a case-study deployment at a dairy production facility, in terms of treatment efficiency and energy efficiency with a focus on optimisation between phases. High treatment capacity and operational flexibility was achieved with NH₄-N removals averaging >89%, PO₄-P removal averaging >90% and total suspended solids removal averaging >97%. This research demonstrates the characteristics of intermittently aerated sequencing batch reactor technology at scale to effectively achieve biological nutrient removal. In addition, this study demonstrated that when effectively managed, energy savings and reductions in carbon emissions in the region of 36–68% are achievable through optimisation of reactor operation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Resilient Built Environment and Communities)

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20 pages, 2823 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Urbanity and Active Citizen Participation

by Alan Mee, Madeleine Lyes and Philip Crowe

Energies 2021, 14(20), 6515; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14206515 - 11 Oct 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1992

Abstract

This paper poses the question: ‘can energy innovation initiatives in Innovation Playgrounds foster a new ‘energy urbanity’ through active citizen participation in the energy transition?’ The concept of ‘Innovation Playgrounds’ and an accompanying Framework are described and linked to implementation evidence of the EU H2020 positive energy research and innovation project +CityxChange, related to emergent active citizen participation in two cities: Limerick, Ireland and Trondheim, Norway. The purpose of the study is to demonstrate that spatially clustered energy innovation initiatives in urban areas involving active citizen participation contribute to a new ‘energy urbanity’ for the energy transition. The research methods are based on a comparative case study approach and close observation of two case sites, with a focus on the ‘Innovation Playground’ area of each city. The article’s three main conclusions are: that a Framework approach to active citizen participation in energy innovation initiatives in urban areas facilitates new models of active citizen and community participation around energy innovation; emergent active citizen participation in energy innovation initiatives in urban areas suggests a new type of engagement that is information-rich, blended, action-led, citizen-focused, and spatial; and that a new paradigm of ‘energy urbanity’ for the energy transition can be proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Resilient Built Environment and Communities)

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17 pages, 3028 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Sustainability of Food Stores and Supermarkets through the Installation of PV Integrated Plants

by Alessandro Franco and Giacomo Cillari

Energies 2021, 14(18), 5678; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14185678 (registering DOI) - 9 Sep 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2664

Abstract

Food stores and supermarkets are buildings, often with rather similar structures characterized by large surfaces and a single floor, that are particularly energy intensive. The energy uses associated with them are mainly electrical, in connection with air conditioning and food refrigeration. These buildings are particularly interesting for a systematic application of photovoltaic (PV) generation technology. After an analysis of the main energy consumption parameters and of the most common benchmarking approaches, standard solutions for the sizing of photovoltaic systems are proposed based on different design objectives, highlighting the potential of each solution proposed. Two specific indicators are defined for the sizing processes. The methodology is tested with reference to two different stores under the zero grid-injection restriction. The results showed how the degree of self-sufficiency for a supermarket obtained with a PV plant can be of the order of 20% in cases without storage system and can be increased over 50% and up to 70–75% but only using relevant battery storage dimensions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Resilient Built Environment and Communities)

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19 pages, 458 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polish Local Government’s Perspective on Revitalisation: A Framework for Future Socially Sustainable Solutions

by Justyna Przywojska

Energies 2021, 14(16), 4888; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14164888 - 10 Aug 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1744

Abstract

The principal goal of this paper is to investigate the views of local government officials on revitalisation priorities in Polish municipalities. To accomplish this, the perception of revitalisation objectives by local government representatives (who, according to Polish regulations, are responsible for revitalisation planning and carrying it out) was examined. A catalogue of revitalisation objectives, which were assessed by the respondents, was drawn up on the basis of a review of research on the conceptualisation and measurement of sustainable revitalisation and social sustainability at the local level. Exploratory factor analysis was the method used in the study. In total, the list of the examined revitalisation objectives includes 26 objectives related to the following revitalisation dimensions: infrastructure, community, economy, environment, space, co-governance, and inclusion. A survey of the executive bodies of 573 municipalities in Poland revealed a discrepancy between the sustainable approach to revitalisation advocated by the researchers and the perception of revitalisation objectives by the local decision makers. The study demonstrated that decision makers ranked objectives related to the physical dimension of revitalisation and selected objectives related to the social dimension of revitalisation and oriented at counteracting social exclusion by far the highest. The proactive objectives, related to the engagement, mobilisation and integration of the inhabitants, improvement of human capital, stimulation of the local economy and residential satisfaction, were viewed as definitely less important. The challenges facing revitalisation in Poland still fail to be perceived holistically by decision makers, which may hinder the building of strong and sustainable communities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Resilient Built Environment and Communities)

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21 pages, 8446 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Decision Support System for Scenario Analysis in Energy Refurbishment of Residential Buildings

by Alberto Giretti, Alessandra Corneli and Berardo Naticchia

Energies 2021, 14(16), 4738; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14164738 - 4 Aug 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1674

Abstract

The energy efficiency of buildings is a key condition in the implementation of national sustainability policies. Energy efficiency of the built heritage is usually achieved through energy contracts or renovation projects that are based on decisions often taken with limited knowledge and in short time frames. However, the collection of comprehensive and reliable technical information to support the decision process is a long and expensive activity. Approximate assessment methods based on stationary thermal models are usually adopted, often introducing unacceptable uncertainties for economically onerous contracts. Hence, it is important to develop tools that, by capitalizing on the operators’ experience, can provide support for fast and reliable assessments. The paper documents the development of a decision support system prototype for the management of energy refurbishment investments in the residential building sector that assists operators in the energy performance assessment, using a limited set of technical information. The system uses a Case Based paradigm enriched with probabilistic modelling to implement decision support within the corporate’s knowledge management framework. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable, Resilient Built Environment and Communities)

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