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Advanced Energy Solutions to Enhance Building Energy Efficiency and Flexibility
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Advanced Energy Solutions to Enhance Building Energy Efficiency and Flexibility

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 7103

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Kun Zhang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, École de Technologie Supérieure, Montreal, QC, Canada
Interests: energy efficiency; energy flexibility; advanced control; building performance simulation; building–grid interactions
Dr. Hongwen Dou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, École de Technologie Supérieure, Montreal, QC, Canada
Interests: fault detection and diagnostics; energy efficiency; machine learning; heat transfer; HVAC

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The buildings sector is one of the largest contributors to global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, making it both a pressing challenge and a powerful lever for achieving sustainable development goals. As the demand for decarbonization, energy cost reduction, and occupant comfort grows, the integration of advanced energy solutions (e.g., renewable energy, energy storage, advanced controls, demand flexibility strategies, etc.) has emerged as a critical pathway for enhancing building energy efficiency and flexibility and reducing building’s carbon footprint.

In this context, we are pleased to invite you to share your latest research in this evolving field by contributing to our Special Issue. This collection seeks to showcase cutting-edge scientific and technological developments that improve the energy performance and adaptability of buildings.

We invite original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and case studies that address innovative system design, energy management, smart controls, energy storage integration, and grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs). Research areas may include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Development and integration of renewable energy in buildings.
  • Smart HVAC systems and adaptive control strategies.
  • Hourly GHG emissions and decarbonization measures.
  • Building-to-grid (B2G) and demand-side management approaches.
  • Energy storage for improving demand flexibility.
  • Digital twins, AI, and machine learning applications in the built environment.
  • Case studies demonstrating real-world implementations and performance of innovation solutions.

For any inquiries about the appropriateness of contribution topics, you are very welcome to contact us. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Kun Zhang
Dr. Hongwen Dou
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Buildings 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
  • energy flexibility
  • HVAC
  • energy storage
  • renewable energy
  • grid-interactive building
  • advanced control
  • artificial intelligence
  • machine learning
  • digital twins

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 3821 KB  
Article
A Simplified Model of a Solar Water Heating System with Phase Change Materials in the Storage Tank
by Barbara Król and Krzysztof Kupiec
Buildings 2026, 16(6), 1172; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16061172 - 16 Mar 2026
Viewed by 380
Abstract
The intermittent and variable nature of solar energy poses challenges for maintaining stable thermal performance in solar heating systems. One effective approach to mitigate this limitation is to store surplus thermal energy during periods of high solar irradiance and release it when solar [...] Read more.
The intermittent and variable nature of solar energy poses challenges for maintaining stable thermal performance in solar heating systems. One effective approach to mitigate this limitation is to store surplus thermal energy during periods of high solar irradiance and release it when solar input is insufficient. Phase change materials (PCMs) are particularly suitable for this purpose due to their ability to absorb and release large amounts of latent heat during phase transition. The aim of this work is to develop a mathematical model of a flow-through tank containing a phase change material in the form of a spherical packed bed. Including longitudinal dispersion in the model equations allows for a more accurate description of the heat transfer process in a tank containing PCM elements. Simulation calculations based on the model were carried out to demonstrate its potential applicability to practical problems. The influence of the following parameters on the process was investigated: tank volume, water flow rate, phase change temperature, process duration, dispersion coefficient during water flow, radius of the packed-bed elements, and cyclic variations of the inlet water temperature. A significant influence of the axial dispersion coefficient in the tank containing PCM on the outlet water temperature profile was demonstrated. It was found that the internal heat transfer coefficient within the packing elements containing PCM falls within the range of 58–145 W/(m2K). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Solutions to Enhance Building Energy Efficiency and Flexibility)
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18 pages, 2689 KB  
Article
Thermal Discomfort Patterns in Office Buildings in a Humid Subtropical Climate Under Actual-Use Conditions
by Beatriz Bayestorff Muller, Taylana Piccinini Scolaro, Ricardo Forgiarini Rupp and Enedir Ghisi
Buildings 2026, 16(5), 934; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16050934 - 27 Feb 2026
Viewed by 307
Abstract
Thermal comfort in office buildings is a key factor in occupant well-being and productivity, yet it poses a challenge due to the diversity of individual thermal characteristics and preferences. This study aims to investigate the relationships among thermal discomfort of occupants in office [...] Read more.
Thermal comfort in office buildings is a key factor in occupant well-being and productivity, yet it poses a challenge due to the diversity of individual thermal characteristics and preferences. This study aims to investigate the relationships among thermal discomfort of occupants in office buildings, the ventilation mode, and individual occupant characteristics under actual-use conditions. Three buildings with a hybrid ventilation mode (natural ventilation and air-conditioning) and one building with central air-conditioning were evaluated. Data on thermal discomfort and occupant characteristics were collected via electronic questionnaires. A total of 7564 records were collected, of which 945 corresponded to clearly defined thermal discomfort (488 for heat discomfort and 457 for cold discomfort). The results showed that heat discomfort was more frequent among men and cold discomfort among women, with gender emerging as the most consistent individual factor associated with discomfort. The 30–50 age group, occupants with normal body mass index, lower clothing insulation, and lower metabolic rate accounted for a higher absolute number of discomfort reports; however, proportional analyses indicated relatively similar discomfort rates across these categories, reinforcing that thermal perception results from the combined influence of building operation and individual sensitivity rather than from isolated individual characteristics. A higher incidence of thermal discomfort, mainly due to cold, was also observed in air-conditioned environments. Among women, 68.8% of cold discomfort votes were associated with air-conditioning, while among men, it was 83.2%. In summary, the results highlight the need for strategies to personalise thermal comfort, with individual control and adaptive temperature adjustments in office buildings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Solutions to Enhance Building Energy Efficiency and Flexibility)
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32 pages, 5802 KB  
Article
Research on a Comprehensive Performance Analysis Method for Building-Integrated Photovoltaics Considering Global Climate Change
by Ran Wang, Caibo Tang, Yuge Ma, Shilei Lu and Quanyi Lin
Buildings 2025, 15(24), 4463; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15244463 - 10 Dec 2025
Viewed by 690
Abstract
Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) represent a pivotal technology for enhancing the utilization of renewable energy in buildings. However, challenges persist, including the lack of integrated design models, limited analytical dimensions, and insufficient consideration of climate change impacts. This study proposes a comprehensive performance assessment [...] Read more.
Building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPVs) represent a pivotal technology for enhancing the utilization of renewable energy in buildings. However, challenges persist, including the lack of integrated design models, limited analytical dimensions, and insufficient consideration of climate change impacts. This study proposes a comprehensive performance assessment framework for BIPV that incorporates global climate change factors. An integrated simulation model is developed using EnergyPlus8.9.0, Optics6, and WINDOW7.7 to evaluate BIPV configurations such as photovoltaic facades, shading systems, and roofs. A multi-criteria evaluation system is established, encompassing global warming potential (GWP), power generation, energy flexibility, and economic cost. Future hourly weather data for the 2050s and 2080s are generated using CCWorldWeatherGen under representative climate scenarios. Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to assess performance across variable combinations, supplemented by sensitivity and uncertainty analyses to identify key influencing factors. Results indicate (1) critical design parameters—including building orientation, wall thermal absorptance, window-to-wall ratios, PV shading angle, glazing optical properties, equipment and lighting power density, and occupancy—significantly affect overall performance. Equipment and lighting densities most influence carbon emissions and flexibility, whereas envelope thermal properties dominate cost impacts. PV shading outperforms other forms in power generation. (2) Under intensified climate change, GWP and life cycle costs increase, while energy flexibility declines, imposing growing pressure on system performance. However, under certain mid-century climate conditions, BIPV power generation potential improves due to altered solar radiation. The study recommends integrating climate-adaptive design strategies with energy systems such as PEDF (photovoltaic, energy storage, direct current, and flexibility), refining policy mechanisms, and advancing BIPV deployment with climate-resilient approaches to support building decarbonization and enhance adaptive capacity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Solutions to Enhance Building Energy Efficiency and Flexibility)
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38 pages, 2683 KB  
Article
Minimally Invasive Design and Energy Efficiency Evaluation of Photovoltaic–Energy Storage–Direct Current–Flexible Systems in Low-Carbon Retrofitting of Existing Buildings
by Chenxi Jia, Longyue Yang, Wei Jin, Jifeng Zhao, Chuanjin Zhang and Yutan Li
Buildings 2025, 15(19), 3599; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15193599 - 7 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1233
Abstract
To overcome the challenges of conventional low-carbon retrofits for existing buildings—such as high construction volume, cost, and implementation difficulty—this study proposes a minimally invasive design and optimization method for Photovoltaic–Energy Storage–Direct Current–Flexible (PEDF) systems. The goal is to maximize energy savings and economic [...] Read more.
To overcome the challenges of conventional low-carbon retrofits for existing buildings—such as high construction volume, cost, and implementation difficulty—this study proposes a minimally invasive design and optimization method for Photovoltaic–Energy Storage–Direct Current–Flexible (PEDF) systems. The goal is to maximize energy savings and economic benefits while minimizing physical intervention. First, the minimally invasive retrofit challenge is decomposed into two coupled problems: (1) collaborative PV-ESS layout optimization and (2) flexible energy management optimization. A co-optimization framework is then developed to address them. For the layout problem, a model with multiple constraints is established to minimize retrofitting workload and maximize initial system performance. A co-evolutionary algorithm is employed to handle the synergistic effects of electrical pathways on equipment placement, efficiently obtaining an optimal solution set that satisfies the minimally invasive requirements. For the operation problem, an energy management model is developed to maximize operational economy and optimize grid interactivity. A deep reinforcement learning (DRL) agent is trained to adaptively make optimal charging/discharging decisions. Case simulations of a typical office building show that the proposed method performs robustly across various scenarios (e.g., office, commercial, and public buildings). It achieves an energy saving rate exceeding 20% and reduces operational costs by 10–15%. Moreover, it significantly improves building–grid interaction: peak demand is reduced by 33%, power fluctuations are cut by 75%, and voltage deviation remains below 5%. The DRL-based policy outperforms both rule-based strategies and the DDPG algorithm in smoothing grid power fluctuations and increasing the PV self-consumption rate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Solutions to Enhance Building Energy Efficiency and Flexibility)
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20 pages, 8104 KB  
Article
Energy Consumption Analysis of Using Mashrabiya as a Retrofit Solution for a Residential Apartment in Al Ain Square, Al Ain, UAE
by Lindita Bande, Anwar Ahmad, Saada Al Mansoori, Waleed Ahmed, Amna Shibeika, Shama Anbrine and Abdul Rauf
Buildings 2025, 15(14), 2532; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15142532 - 18 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1468
Abstract
The city of Al Ain is a fast-developing area. With building typology varying from low-rise to mid-rise, sustainable design in buildings is needed. As the majority of the city’s population is Emirati Citizens, the percentage of expats is increasing. The expats tend to [...] Read more.
The city of Al Ain is a fast-developing area. With building typology varying from low-rise to mid-rise, sustainable design in buildings is needed. As the majority of the city’s population is Emirati Citizens, the percentage of expats is increasing. The expats tend to live in mid-rise buildings. One of the central midrise areas is AL Ain Square. This study aims to investigate how an optimized mashrabiya pattern can impact the energy and the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) in a 3-bedroom apartment, fully oriented to the south, of an expat family. The methodology is as follows: case study selection, Weather analysis, Modeling/Validation of the base case scenario, Optimization of the mashrabiya pattern, Simulation of various scenarios, and Results. Analyzing the selected case study is the initial step of the methodology. This analysis begins with the district, building typology, and the chosen apartment. The weather analysis is relevant for using the mashrabiya (screen device) and the need to improve energy consumption and thermal comfort. The modeling of the base case shall be performed in Rhino Grasshopper. The validation is based on a one-year electricity bill provided by the owner. The optimization of mashrabiya patterns is an innovative process, where various designs are compared and then optimized to select the most efficient pattern. The solutions to the selected scenarios will then yield the results of the optimal scenario. This study is relevant to industry, academia, and local authorities as an innovative approach to retrofitting buildings. Additionally, the research presents a creative vision that suggests optimized mashrabiya patterns can significantly enhance energy savings, with the hexagonal grid configuration demonstrating the highest efficiency. This finding highlights the potential for geometry-driven shading optimization tailored to specific climatic and building conditions. Contrasting earlier mashrabiya studies that assess one static pattern, we couple a geometry-agnostic evolutionary solver with a utility-calibrated EnergyPlus model to test thousands of square, hexagonal, and triangular permutations. This workflow uncovers a previously undocumented non-linear depth perforation interaction. It validates a hexagonal screen that reduces annual cooling energy by 12.3%, establishing a replicable, grid-specific retrofit method for hot-arid apartments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Solutions to Enhance Building Energy Efficiency and Flexibility)
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29 pages, 2431 KB  
Article
Expectations Versus Reality: Economic Performance of a Building-Integrated Photovoltaic System in the Andean Ecuadorian Context
by Esteban Zalamea-León, Danny Ochoa-Correa, Hernan Sánchez-Castillo, Mateo Astudillo-Flores, Edgar A. Barragán-Escandón and Alfredo Ordoñez-Castro
Buildings 2025, 15(14), 2493; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15142493 - 16 Jul 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2451
Abstract
This article presents an empirical evaluation of the technical and economic performance of a building-integrated photovoltaic (PV) system implemented at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the University of Cuenca, Ecuador. This study explores both stages of deployment, beginning with a 7.7 [...] Read more.
This article presents an empirical evaluation of the technical and economic performance of a building-integrated photovoltaic (PV) system implemented at the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism of the University of Cuenca, Ecuador. This study explores both stages of deployment, beginning with a 7.7 kWp pilot system and later scaling to a full 75.6 kWp configuration. This hourly monitoring of power exchanges with utility was conducted over several months using high-resolution instrumentation and cloud-based analytics platforms. A detailed comparison between projected energy output, recorded production, and real energy consumption was carried out, revealing how seasonal variability, cloud cover, and academic schedules influence system behavior. The findings also include a comparison between billed and actual electricity prices, as well as an analysis of the system’s payback period under different cost scenarios, including state-subsidized and real-cost frameworks. The results confirm that energy exports are frequent during weekends and that daily generation often exceeds on-site demand on non-working days. Although the university benefits from low electricity tariffs, the system demonstrates financial feasibility when broader public cost structures are considered. This study highlights operational outcomes under real-use conditions and provides insights for scaling distributed generation in institutional settings, with particular relevance for Andean urban contexts with similar solar profiles and tariff structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Energy Solutions to Enhance Building Energy Efficiency and Flexibility)
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