Energy Efficiency Buildings

Speeding Up Energy Transitions: Gaming Towards Sustainability in The Dutch Built Environment

by Iman Mohammed

Energy and environmental performance of tall buildings: state of the art

by Eliana Cangelli

Co-authored with Lukia Fais, published in "Advances in Building Energy Research" Volume 6, Issue 1, 2012

In a historical period in which more than half the population lives in urban centres, tall buildings – which are a key... more In a historical period in which more than half the population lives in urban centres, tall buildings – which are a key instrument of densification – require a special focus. In the common imagination tall buildings are seen as ‘energy intensive boxes’, but the scientific community, even though divided between supporters and opposers, is investigating their potential in terms of energy efficiency. This chapter aims to highlight, by going through case studies, the limits and potential of energy-efficient (low energy) tall buildings and provides an outline of their key characteristics. It especially focuses on the possibility of implementing systems for generating power from renewable energy sources, in relation to the vertical development of these buildings, which enables the production of amounts of energy that are unheard of for other types of building. Based on the analysis of the state of the art in this field, and on a number of related considerations, we are able to assume that the objective of Net Zero Energy tall Building could potentially be achieved.

Enabling low carbon living in UK housing developments

by Helena Titheridge

Broer, S. and Titheridge, H. (2010) Enabling low-carbon living in new UK housing developments. Management of Environmental Quality, 21 (1). pp. 90-107. ISSN 14777835

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a tool (the Climate Challenge Tool) that allows house builders to... more Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to describe a tool (the Climate Challenge Tool) that allows house builders to calculate whole life carbon equivalent emissions and costs of various carbon and energy reduction options that can be incorporated into the design of new developments. Design/methodology/approach – The tool covers technical and soft (or lifestyle) measures for reducing carbon production and energy use. Energy used within the home, energy embodied in the building materials, and emissions generated through transport, food consumption and waste treatment are taken into account. The tool has been used to assess the potential and cost-effectiveness of various carbon reduction options for a proposed new housing development in Cambridgeshire. These are compared with carbon emissions from a typical UK household. Findings – The tool demonstrated that carbon emission reductions can be achieved at much lower costs through an approach which enables sustainable lifestyles than through an approach which focuses purely on reducing heat lost through the fabric of the building and from improving the heating and lighting systems. Practical implications – The tool will enable house builders to evaluate which are the most cost-effective measures that they can incorporate into the design of new developments in order to achieve the significant energy savings and reduction in carbon emissions necessary to meet UK Government targets and to avoid dangerous climate change. Originality/value – Current approaches to assessing carbon and energy reduction options for new housing developments concentrate on energy efficiency options such as reducing heat lost through the fabric of the building and improving the heating and lighting systems, alongside renewable energy systems. The Climate Challenge Tool expands the range of options that might be considered by developers to include those affecting lifestyle choices of future residents.

Briefing: challenging lock-in through urban energy systems

by Chris Goodier

The Multispace adaptable building concept and its extension into mass customisation

by Chris Goodier

Navigating multi-dimensional results from large parametric building simulation studies

by Graeme Stuart

co-authored with Ivan Korolija and Ljiljana Marjanovic-Halburd

Advances in computing in recent years allow for many thousands of building energy simulations to be computed in the... more Advances in computing in recent years allow for many thousands of building energy simulations to be computed in the time previously required for a single simulation run. Software tools exist that allow for a single input file to be modified in a number of different ways to generate thousands of self-similar input files which can then be automatically simulated. The problem with this approach is not the simulation time but the time and effort required for the analysis of the vast set of results generated.

Large, multi-dimensional result sets cannot be easily visualised as a whole. One approach is to view the results as a non-linear, interactive document in which only a small part of the results is viewed at any one time. With the addition of simple navigation to select the next sample to view, this approach allows the analyst to easily browse the large result set. More concretely, a one-dimensional sample (a selection of simulations which vary in only one aspect) can be selected from the dataset and visualised as a simple bar chart. Simple rules can then be applied to identify a collection of similar, one-dimensional samples for navigation.

To examine this approach, a prototype tool was developed as a web-based application. The basis for this tool was a multi-parameter simulation study of office building energy consumption including 1,440 individual simulations varying across six dimensions including four building types, five building fabrics, three percentages of glazing, the inclusion of daylight control, two glazing types and six HVAC system types (including building load calculations). The tool included a basic report comparing a one-dimensional sample of results and a detailed report showing time series results for an individual case. Navigation panels allowed for simple traversal of the results set and to move between the two reports. The tool was found to be very useful for navigating the multi-dimensional data and the method is generic enough to be transferable to similar datasets.

Solar shading system contribution for energy efficiency of residential building. Best practices in Rome municipality

by carola clemente

E. Arbizzani, C. Clemente, P. Civiero, P. Piermattei

BASC 2008 - The Third architecture and sustainability conference in Biskra “Strategies and Perspectives”- Department of Architecture, University of Biskra, Algeria - 2008

Residential building stock in Italy is characterised by stereotyped layouts with little innovative technological... more Residential building stock in Italy is characterised by stereotyped layouts with little innovative technological input. The housing market is defined by the quantity/quality equation: the perception of an inadequate quantity of existing stock, believed to be insufficient for current demand, and an awareness of the need to establish a new relationship with the surrounding environment. To resolve these problems, Rome Town Council established new measures for the transformation of a number of areas within the Rome Municipality area. Traditional guidelines on technical regulations for residential building have been joined
by a system of best practices, a Code of Practice that contains innovative guidelines on environmental quality in building and on  appropriate energy and environmental management of sites and buildings. In line with the climatic conditions of Rome and its region, and as a result of the features of the existing building stock, the Code paid particular attention to the theme of solar screens, architectonic components that are able to respond to the multifaceted differences relating to the demands of the position of the architectonic object.

Sostenibilità, sicurezza ed efficienza energetica nel recupero edilizio.

by carola clemente

L’edilizia scolastica è percepita come un'emergenza alla quale dare urgentemente soluzioni certe. Questa... more L’edilizia scolastica è percepita come un'emergenza alla quale dare urgentemente soluzioni certe. Questa consapevolezza sociale diffusa, finalmente in linea con le valutazioni strategiche fornite da Enti sovranazionali come l’OCDE e la UE, fa si che l'edilizia scolastica possa ritornare ad essere uno degli ambiti prioritari di investimento infrastrutturale di promozione di un processo finalizzato anche alla riqualificazione sociale ed educativa del nostro Paese.
School building is perceived as an emergency which urgently requires definite solutions. This widespread social awareness, finally in line with the strategic evaluations supplied by supranational bodies such as the OCDE and the UE, means that school building can return to being one of the priority areas of infrastructural investment for the promotion of a process that is
also aimed at the social and educational redevelopment of our country.

Energy Efficiency in Architectural Designs in the Indus Valley Civilization: Lessons learnt for new designing

by Siddhartha Mukherjee

Co-authored with Shreyas Panambur and Sat Ghosh

The Indus Valley civilization flourished between 2750-1900 B.C. We present a case study for Lothal, an extension of... more The Indus Valley civilization flourished between 2750-1900 B.C. We present a case study for Lothal, an extension of the Indus Valley civilization currently located in the state of Gujarat in India. Their double storied buildings were clustered around geometrical grids comprising of three divisions, including a citadel, a middle town and a lower town. An on-site visit revealed that the buildings were suitably oriented for maximum solar gains. The standardised stone blocks used had thermal transmissivities (“U” values in today’s architectural parlance) that retained indoor coolth substantially. The rectangular building forms ensured the presence of active and passive zones even then.

As Mechanical engineers, we have used Autodesk Ecotect Analysis to calculate Daylight Factors, Solar Radiation and Water Usage. We have explored quantitatively the fascinating world of light and shadows, coolth and warmth, and obtained answers for the following questions:

1. Were the orientation and the clustering perfect in the city of Lothal?

2. Can these architectural designs prevail with some modifications in today’s times?

After all, modernists believe that vernacular architecture can also be sustainable.

3. How feasible is it to use engineered eco-fabrics in modern settlements (keeping in mind the versatility of traditional fabrics)?

In this paper we shall present a prototype of a new proposed city called “The Sanctuary” housing 40,000 inhabitants (possibly the population in Lothal in 2500 B.C.). Our analysis shows how architectural structures adapt to driving rain, the ingress of winds and a glaring sun. Ecotect calculations elucidate contrasting patterns of energy use in residential areas of Lothal vis-à-vis the dwellings in The Sanctuary. To our knowledge, this is a first study exploring energy efficiency in Lothal.

Closing the Loop-Improving Energy Management in Schools

by Michael Donn

SOLAR MODELLING OF COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS

by Michael Donn

The Mueller Report: Moving Beyond Sustainability Indicators to Sustainability Action

by Joshua Pearce

Joshua Pearce, Christopher Uhl, Austin Mandryk, Dennis Matalavage, Christie Vischer, Loren Byrne, and Sara Eisenfeld, "The Mueller Report: Moving Beyond Sustainability Indicators to Sustainability Action", The Green Destiny Council of The Pennsylvania State University, Fall 2001.

The assignment that we gave ourselves was: Cut the ecological impact of Mueller Building in half while creating... more The assignment that we gave ourselves was: Cut the ecological impact of Mueller Building in half while creating healthier working conditions for all building occupants. The analysis on the following pages reveals that it is, indeed, possible to reduce significantly Mueller's aggregate impacts in many areas. The majority of environmental improvements that Mueller could make would actually save money! For example, by following the suggestions outlined in the energy portions of this study Mueller building could reap more than $45,000 per year in energy savings alone.

Interdisciplinary Environmental Education: Communicating and Applying Energy Efficiency for Sustainability

by Joshua Pearce

Joshua Pearce and Chris Russill, "Interdisciplinary Environmental Education: Communicating and Applying Energy Efficiency for Sustainability", Applied Environmental Education and Communication, 4(1), 65-72, 2005.

This paper demonstrates that interdisciplinary alliances on environmental education projects can effectively address... more This paper demonstrates that interdisciplinary alliances on environmental education projects can effectively address the gap between complex environmental problems in the real world and disciplinary curricula in a university. We describe an alliance between an advanced communication course and a general science course wherein we addressed interconnections of energy efficiency, economics, and global climate change with respect to their impact on individuals, local businesses, and society. This project established that an interdisciplinary environmental project focused on local solutions to global problems is both a valuable learning tool for students and an effective method of accelerating the application of appropriate technologies.

Estrategias de diseño solar pasivo para ahorro energético en edificación

by Dubravka Matic

A feasibility study for hybrid lighting systems

by Mohammed Mayhoub

Mayhoub, M.S. and Carter, D.J. (2012). A feasibility study for hybrid lighting systems. Building and Environment, 53, 83-94.

Hybrid systems simultaneously deliver daylight and electric light into a building where they are combined and... more Hybrid systems simultaneously deliver daylight and electric light into a building where they are combined and distributed via luminaires. Hybrid technology is described together and that of the more established of tubular daylight guidance lighting systems. Likely system performance in terms of daylight delivery and potential electricity savings are evaluated for representative geographic locations throughout the world. The results indicate a considerable variation in performance as a function of system type, geographic location, and building geometry, suggesting that choice of appropriate light guidance system may be strongly influenced by the solar resource at the building location.

Embodied emissions abatement--A policy assessment using stochastic analysis

by Aidan Duffy

I linguaggi della sostenibilità. Evoluzione di una cultura progettuale consapevole.

by carola clemente

Negli ultimi anni abbiamo assistito ad un consolidamento, molto lento e graduale dell’evoluzione della cultura... more Negli ultimi anni abbiamo assistito ad un consolidamento, molto lento e graduale dell’evoluzione della cultura progettuale energicamente consapevole grazie ad alcuni drivers particolarmente stringenti ed efficaci. Questo fenomeno è stato più o meno fisiologico e spontaneo al variare dei contesti regionali e produttivi da cui si è sviluppato, ma i fenomeni che lo hanno sostenuto e incentivato sono generalmente gli stessi a livello continentale. Sicuramente hanno contribuito l’aumento del costo dell’energia prodotta da fonti non rinnovabili e il conseguente impoverimento degli utenti finali tenuti a sostenerne gli oneri, lo sviluppo di tecnologie per la migliore e maggiore integrazione dei sistemi per la produzione di energia negli elementi tecnici degli edifici, il miglioramento prestazionale in termini energetici di materiali, prodotti componenti edilizi. In questo contesto si sono affiancati negli ultimi anni numerosi provvedimenti di indirizzo sia a scala continentale che nazionale, che hanno portato allo sviluppo di un corpus normativo, articolato a livello territoriale in modo assolutamente capillare, che ha provocato una drastica revisione delle prassi progettuali e realizzative del sistema edificio/impianto nel suo complesso.

Precarietà energetica vs. efficienza tecnologica. Promuovere l'efficienza tecnologica nell'edilizia residenziale per il controllo della povertà energetica.

by carola clemente

www.vg-hortus.it rivista on line

L’efficienza tecnologica complessiva del sistema edificio impianto è la prima risorsa per la riduzione del consumo... more L’efficienza tecnologica complessiva del sistema edificio impianto è la prima risorsa per la riduzione del consumo energetico complessivo dell’edificio e quindi per ridurre l’impatto economico e finanziario del costo finale dei servizi energetici a carico degli utenti finali. Nel caso dell’edilizia residenziale, in modo ancora più significativo nell’edilizia residenziale sociale, il costo sopportato dagli utenti finali per l’insieme dei servizi energetici (riscaldamento, energia elettrica e gas) incide pesantemente sul bilancio del nucleo familiare e quindi sulla qualità della vita degli individui.
La combinazione di fattori come l’aumento del costo dell’energia e l’inefficienza degli edifici comporta un incremento esponenziale dei costi sostenuti dagli utenti finali per avere garantite le minime condizioni di comfort e di salubrità delle proprie abitazioni.
Le condizioni di precarietà economica a cui sono esposte alcune particolari categorie sociali, come le giovani coppie, gli anziani o le famiglie monoparentali o le famiglie numerose monoreddito, comportano una grande difficoltà a fare fronte ai costi per i servizi energetici ed in particolare a quelli connessi all’ottenimento di ottimali, se non anche minime, condizioni di comfort termico e quindi di riscaldamento degli ambienti.

Improving Energy Efficiency in Russia: Real Progress and Present Challenges (Research Brief)

by Charlene Caprio

This policy research brief was prepared for the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and supported by IREX.

This policy research brief outlines current legislative and policy developments in Russia related to Russia's strategy... more This policy research brief outlines current legislative and policy developments in Russia related to Russia's strategy to improve its energy efficiency, while also addressing key challenges in the development of energy efficiency projects and programs and for attracting more foreign investment.

Living off the Grid in BC: Clayoquot Sound

by Phillip Vannini

A magazine article, rather than a paper, on people living off grids.