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Advances in the Sustainability and Energy Efficiency of Buildings

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Science and Technology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 August 2025) | Viewed by 7993

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Carlos Roldán-Blay

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Guest Editor

Institute for Energy Engineering, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera, s/n, Building 8E, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Interests: energy efficiency in buildings; microgrids and smart grids; integration of renewable energy resources; energy resources management and planning; magnetic fields in electrical facilities

Prof. Dr. Eduardo Quiles

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Guest Editor

Instituto de Automática e Informática Industrial, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Interests: brain–computer interface (BCI); supervision of complex systems; fault detection and diagnosis; improvement in electrical distribution; reliability evaluation of distribution systems; microgrids and smartgrids; integration of renewable energies in distribution systems
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on the significant role buildings play in global energy consumption and climate change due to their use of energy and greenhouse gas emissions. Key areas of exploration include:

Design Phase: This phase centers on understanding climate factors essential for sustainable buildings, placing particular emphasis on the accurate assignment of climatic zones. Renewable energy integration becomes a focal point, ensuring buildings harness sustainable energy sources effectively. Additionally, the phase encompasses adaptive design strategies and the pursuit of sustainable building certifications.

Construction Phase: This phase underscores the importance of sustainability and energy efficiency in modern construction practices. It emphasizes the integration of eco-friendly materials, aligning with circular economy principles. Innovations span a range of areas, from sustainable materials and energy-efficient building procedures to green facility design and installation management. These advancements not only contribute to energy efficiency but also play a pivotal role in enhancing urban air quality and promoting overall sustainability in the built environment.

Usage Phase: The sustainable operation and maintenance of buildings during the usage phase are pivotal not only for guaranteeing long-term energy efficiency but also for achieving significant energy savings. This approach aids in minimizing environmental impacts and fostering the well-being and comfort of occupants. Key aspects of this phase include energy consumption and management, which directly ties to energy savings, indoor environmental quality, thermal energy, water usage and conservation, waste management, and building maintenance. This phase also emphasizes retrofitting and upgrades, which can further enhance energy savings, as well as adaptation to changing conditions, among other vital considerations.

Holistic Approach: This approach represents a comprehensive strategy in building design and construction, emphasizing energy efficiency, sustainability, and addressing the challenges posed by climate change. Fundamental to this approach are interdisciplinary collaborations and lifecycle thinking, which serve as cornerstone principles for sustainable building design and construction. Research in this domain can either be localized or encompass broader regions, but it is essential to engage with communities and stakeholders. This engagement aims to strike a balance between sustainability, the health and well-being of occupants, and economic viability.

Prof. Dr. Carlos Roldán-Blay
Prof. Dr. Eduardo Quiles
Guest Editors

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Keywords

sustainable design
energy efficiency
circular economy
lifecycle thinking
building certifications
energy management systems
net-zero energy buildings
energy conservation measures
passive design strategies
renewable energy integration

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

23 pages, 7456 KB

Open AccessArticle

Recycling Spent Fluorescent Lamp Glass Waste in Calcium Aluminate Cement: Effects on Hydration and Mechanical Performance

by Lucía Reig, Ángel M. Pitarch, Antonio Gallardo, Lourdes Soriano, María V. Borrachero, Jordi Payá and José M. Monzó

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(17), 9629; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15179629 - 1 Sep 2025

Viewed by 270

Abstract

Calcium aluminate cement (CAC) offers rapid strength development, chemical durability in harsh environments, and high-temperature resistance, but its long-term performance may be compromised by the conversion of metastable hexagonal hydrates into stable cubic phases. Concurrently, recycling spent fluorescent lamp glass (SFLG) is limited because of its residual mercury content. This study investigates the use of manually (MAN) and mechanically (MEC) processed SFLG as partial CAC replacements (up to 50 wt.%). Both SFLG types had irregular morphologies with mean particle sizes of ~20 µm and mercury concentrations of 3140 ± 61 ppb (MAN) and 2133 ± 119 ppb (MEC). Moreover, the addition of SFLG reduced the initial and final setting times, whilst MEC waste notably extended the plastic state duration from 20 min (reference) to 69 min (50 wt.% MEC). Furthermore, strength development was accelerated, with SFLG/CAC mortars reaching peak strengths at 7–10 days versus 28 days as in the CAC reference. CAC and 15 wt.% SFLG mortars showed strength loss over time by reason of their phase conversion, whereas mortars with 25–50 wt.% SFLG experienced significant long-term strength gains, reaching ~60 MPa (25 wt.%) and ~45 MPa (35 wt.%), respectively, after 365 days, with strength activity indexes (SAI) near 90% and 70%, respectively. These improvements are attributed to the formation of strätlingite (C₂ASH₈), which stabilized hexagonal CAH₁₀ and mitigated conversion to cubic katoite (C₃AH₆). Mercury leaching remained below 0.01 mg/kg dry matter for all mixes and curing ages, classifying the mortars as non-hazardous and inert under Spanish Royal Decree 646/2020. The results suggest that SFLG can be safely reused as a sustainable admixture in CAC systems, enhancing long-term mechanical performance while minimizing environmental impact. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Sustainability and Energy Efficiency of Buildings)

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14 pages, 2120 KB

Open AccessArticle

Key Metrics for Energy Planning in Academic Institutions

by Luca Migliari, Laura Anania, Giada Agnese, Laura Bettoni, Giulio Mario Cappelletti, Francesca Cioffi, Oscar Corsi, Agostino Gambarotta, Domenico Panno, Gianluca Signore and Davide Di Battista

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(17), 9496; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15179496 - 29 Aug 2025

Viewed by 302

Abstract

Academic institutions represent significant energy consumers, not only due to the magnitude and variability of their energy demand over time but also because of their institutional responsibility to promote sustainable practices. Despite this relevance, the scientific literature still lacks comprehensive benchmark indicators specifically tailored to the energy behavior of universities, thereby hindering the development of effective energy planning strategies in this sector. This study helps to address this gap by analyzing key energy performance indicators, with a focus on electricity consumption, across a representative experimental dataset. The dataset comprises 156 consumption units from ten Italian universities, selected to capture a broad spectrum of climatic zones, urban environments, energy systems, functional uses of spaces, and levels of utility availability. The analysis revealed an average electricity consumption of approximately 60 kWh/m²/year, with significantly higher values in warmer regions, mainly due to the widespread adoption of fully electric thermal systems. A baseline consumption level of around 35 kWh/m²/year was identified. Furthermore, electricity consumption normalized by Heating Degree Days reached values of approximately 500 kWh/HDD/year, particularly in centers with a prevalence of laboratories. The findings offer relevant insights for stakeholders (including designers, facility and energy managers, and policymakers), supporting data-driven decision making in the energy planning processes of academic environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Sustainability and Energy Efficiency of Buildings)

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23 pages, 4817 KB

Open AccessArticle

RETRACTED: Thermoenergetic Performance of Phase Change Materials in Building Envelopes Under Future Climate Scenario

by Kishan Bodarya and Vinayak Kaushal

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 1562; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031562 - 4 Feb 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1091 | Retraction

Abstract

This study evaluates the thermal and energy performance of building envelopes incorporating phase change materials (PCM) compared with traditional resistive thermal insulation, considering future climate scenarios. Using EnergyPlus simulations, the study analyzes a medium office building with varying envelope compositions in two distinct Brazilian climates—Curitiba and Rio de Janeiro—representing bioclimatic zones 1 and 8, respectively. The PCM used, SP24E, aligns with the HVAC system setpoints, and climate projections for 2050 and 2080 are integrated using the Climate Change World Weather File Generator (CCWorldWeatherGen) based on the A2 emissions scenario. Results indicate that in mild climates like Curitiba, PCM significantly improves energy efficiency, reducing annual Energy Use Intensity (EUI) by 8.2% in 2050 and 10% in 2080 compared with resistive insulation. Conversely, in hotter climates like Rio de Janeiro, PCM increases EUI by 12.1% in 2050 and 20.7% in 2080 compared with resistive insulation. This study highlights the varying effectiveness of PCM in different climatic conditions and its implications for future building energy performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Sustainability and Energy Efficiency of Buildings)

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24 pages, 3627 KB

Open AccessArticle

Strategic Resource Planning for Sustainable Biogas Integration in Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems

by Pooriya Motevakel, Carlos Roldán-Blay, Carlos Roldán-Porta, Guillermo Escrivá-Escrivá and Daniel Dasí-Crespo

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 642; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15020642 - 10 Jan 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1772

Abstract

In response to the growing demand for sustainable energy and the environmental impacts of fossil fuels, renewable sources like biomass have become crucial, especially in regions rich in agricultural and animal waste. This study focuses on a real-life project in Aras de los Olmos, Spain, where solar, wind, and biogas from biomass serve as primary energy sources, supplemented by a hydro-based storage system to stabilize supply. Central to the research is optimizing biomass inflow to the biogas reactor—the primary controllable variable—to effectively manage the supply chain, maximize energy output, and minimize logistical costs. The study addresses practical challenges by utilizing real data on demand, truck capacities, and costs and employing robust optimization tools like Gurobi. It demonstrates how optimized biomass flow can secure energy needs during high demand or when other renewables are unavailable. Integrating technical and economic aspects, it offers a comprehensive and practical model for sustainable and economically viable energy production in rural communities. It provides a foundational framework for future renewable energy and optimized energy storage system studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Sustainability and Energy Efficiency of Buildings)

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22 pages, 7874 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Approach to Energy Management with Power Quality Enhancement in Hydrogen Based Microgrids through Numerical Simulation

by Hafiz Ghulam Murtza Qamar, Xiaoqiang Guo, Ehab Ghith and Mehdi Tlija

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(17), 7607; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14177607 - 28 Aug 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1974

Abstract

A hydrogen-based microgrid (MG) is an energy system that uses hydrogen as a primary energy carrier within a localized grid. Numerous alternative approaches and concepts are found concerning the management of renewable energy systems. This study proposes a novel approach to assess the energy management system (EMS) and optimal hydrogen-based Energy Storage Systems (HBESS) at minimal total cost, employing particle swarm optimization (PSO) and fuzzy control in stand-alone microgrids. Together, these methods effectively address control and management challenges within hybrid microgrids (HMGs). This has been proposed to enhance energy management and to improve power quality. The findings reveal that PSO is the most advantageous and efficient approach. Its utilization proves instrumental in reducing costs, boosting reliability, and optimizing operational schedules within HMGs. Furthermore, the power profile holds considerable importance in this study, significantly enhancing system reliability and stability. This study has achieved an impressive 6.147% improvement in cost-effectiveness compared to traditional methods. This has been put into practice and validated through implementation within a MATLAB (9.13.0 (R2022b))/Simulink framework. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Sustainability and Energy Efficiency of Buildings)

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12 pages, 1891 KB

Open AccessArticle

Possible Development of Efficient Local Energy Community on the Example of the City of Žilina in Slovakia

by Peter Durcansky, Branislav Zvada and Radovan Nosek

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(13), 5951; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14135951 - 8 Jul 2024

Viewed by 1263

Abstract

Reducing the energy demand in the housing sector is one of the current topics in the EU. Slovakia, as an EU member, is also trying to lower the dependence on the import of energy raw materials used for heating. While new buildings reflect the technical requirements of applicable standards, buildings built in the past usually do not meet any technical requirements. The basis of efficient operation is not only satisfactory building structures, but also technological equipment of the buildings. The heating system is often in an unsatisfactory state, and an outdated heat source disproportionately reduces the overall efficiency of energy conversion. Complex restoration is, therefore, in most cases, necessary and often financially costly. The presented article analyzes the current state of housing stock in the example of a selected city district. In the next step, the current state and energy consumption are identified. Subsequently, needed retrofit measures are identified and the possibilities of renewal are analyzed. The use of RES in buildings is proposed, while selected city districts could create an independent energy community. The main goal of this article is to show the necessary steps to achieve efficient energy use and, using the example of a Zilina City district, show the possible benefits of such community creation in Slovakia. The article also discusses the correlation between the number of sunny days and possible energy generation in winter months. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Sustainability and Energy Efficiency of Buildings)

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