Multidimensional Exploration of Low-Carbon Buildings: Synergistic Optimization of Energy System and Intelligent Control of Built Environment

Dear Colleagues,

With the continuous advancements in information technology and the intensification of global climate change, the construction of low-carbon buildings has garnered significant attention from various sectors of society and has become a focal point for promoting sustainable development. This Topic, entitled ‘Multidimensional Exploration of Low-Carbon Buildings: The Synergistic Optimization of Energy Systems and Intelligent Control of Built Environments’, aims to explore how the building sector can achieve low-carbon emissions while simultaneously enhancing the comfort and sustainability of built environments. The exploration will be framed from three key perspectives: energy, environment, and occupant factors. We sincerely invite experts and scholars in related fields to actively contribute and engage in discussions on the following topics:

1. Synergistic optimization of energy systems: This topic focuses on building-centered energy systems, examining design and optimization strategies that encompass new technologies and management models, including the application of smart grids, energy storage, and distributed energy systems. The research will delve into the impact of occupant demand on building energy consumption and discuss the role of demand response strategies in balancing energy supply and demand. Furthermore, we will explore how to achieve seamless connectivity and sharing of different energy forms within buildings, promoting efficient energy utilization, enhancing the application of renewable energy, and achieving low-carbon emissions. Special attention will be paid to energy management strategies and optimized design case studies under specific climatic conditions to attain energy optimization throughout the building's lifecycle.

2. Intelligent control of built environments: This topic aims to investigate intelligent control methods for indoor and outdoor environmental parameters (such as temperature, humidity, air quality, etc.). We will explore how to achieve intelligent control of indoor and outdoor environments through the optimization of building morphology, material selection, and environmental adjustment measures, aiming to reduce energy consumption and enhance residential comfort. For different building types and climatic conditions, we encourage the development of multi-layered intelligent control systems that utilize the Internet of Things (IoT) and sensing technologies for real-time monitoring and control of the environment. Additionally, we will focus on the influence of building envelope design on indoor conditions, such as the design of greenery and shading devices, and their applications in enhancing energy efficiency and comfort.

3. Occupant-centric design and operation: This topic examines occupant behavior patterns and their effects on energy consumption and thermal comfort in buildings. By deeply analyzing the interactions between occupant behavior and the built environment, we aim to investigate how behavioral science can be integrated with architectural design and management strategies to enhance overall energy efficiency and residential comfort. Discussions will cover subjective and objective evaluation methods for thermal comfort, including the analysis of the impacts of air movement, temperature, and humidity, as well as how appropriate occupant feedback mechanisms can facilitate the development of intelligent control systems. We also encourage the exploration of behavior prediction models based on big data and machine learning to achieve personalized environmental adjustments, ultimately reducing energy consumption.

We look forward to innovative research contributions from various disciplines to jointly promote the development of low-carbon buildings and sustainable cities. We welcome researchers to submit forward-looking and practical academic papers, working together to contribute wisdom and strength towards building a green, low-carbon, and livable future environment.

Dr. Yan Ding
Dr. Shen Wei
Dr. Jihui Yuan
Topic Editors