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Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency
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Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (5 November 2025) | Viewed by 30337

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Vincenzo Corrado

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Torino, Italy
Interests: building energy performance modeling; building physics; indoor environmental quality; urban energy modeling; building climate resilience
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ilaria Ballarini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Energy, Politecnico di Torino, 10129 Turin, Italy
Interests: building energy performance modelling; building physics; indoor environmental quality; urban energy modelling; building climate resilience
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to a Special Issue of Energies, section: Energy and Buildings, focusing on "Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency." This issue aims to bring together innovative research and advancements in building energy efficiency, specifically emphasizing performance analysis methodologies, tools, and case studies.

Buildings represent a significant portion of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Enhancing their energy efficiency is essential for mitigating climate change and achieving sustainability goals. Consequently, there is a growing need for robust methodologies and tools to assess and optimize the performance of buildings in terms of energy efficiency.

This Special Issue seeks to address this need by providing a platform for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to present their latest findings, methodologies, and case studies related to building energy efficiency performance analysis. We welcome submissions covering a wide range of topics, including but not limited to:

Building Performance Simulation: Novel approaches and tools for simulating the energy performance of buildings under various climatic conditions and occupancy scenarios.

Data-Driven Analysis: Utilization of data analytics, machine learning, and big data techniques to analyze building energy consumption patterns, identify inefficiencies, and optimize performance.

Occupant Behaviour Modeling: Investigation of the impact of occupant behavior on building energy consumption and developing models to incorporate behavioral aspects into energy efficiency analysis.

Climate resilience: Assessment of the impact of climate change on buildings, identification of vulnerabilities, and optimization of energy efficiency strategies, ensuring buildings remain robust and adaptable to future climate scenarios.

Renewable Energy Integration: Strategies for integrating renewable energy sources, such as solar photovoltaics and wind power, into building energy systems to enhance overall efficiency and sustainability.

Smart Building Technologies: Evaluation of smart building technologies, including advanced HVAC systems, building automation and control systems, and IoT sensors, in improving energy efficiency and occupant comfort.

Case Studies and Real-World Applications: Case studies showcasing the successful implementation of energy efficiency measures in buildings, along with lessons learned and best practices.

We encourage submissions of original research articles, reviews, and case studies that contribute to advancing the understanding and implementation of building energy efficiency performance analysis. All submissions will undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high-quality and impactful contributions to the field.

We look forward to your valuable contributions to this Special Issue, which we believe will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers striving to enhance the energy efficiency and sustainability of buildings worldwide.

Prof. Dr. Vincenzo Corrado
Dr. Ilaria Ballarini
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. 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

  • building energy efficiency
  • performance analysis
  • building performance simulation
  • data-driven analysis
  • occupant behavior modeling
  • climate resilience
  • renewable energy integration
  • smart building technologies
  • energy consumption patterns
  • case studies
  • building automation
  • HVAC systems
  • renewable energy sources
  • occupant comfort
  • energy optimization
  • climate change mitigation

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Published Papers (15 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 7084 KB  
Article
Confronting Land Surface Temperature and Ground Station Data for Urban Heat Island Assessment and Urban Building Energy Modeling—A Case Study for Northern Italy
by Mario Alves da Silva, Gregorio Borelli, Andrea Gasparella and Giovanni Pernigotto
Energies 2026, 19(3), 724; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19030724 - 29 Jan 2026
Viewed by 677
Abstract
Data scarcity limits robust assessment of urban overheating and its implications for building energy use, especially in complex-terrain cities such as those in mountain environments. In this context, Land Surface Temperature (LST) from thermal remote sensing can be used to map [...] Read more.
Data scarcity limits robust assessment of urban overheating and its implications for building energy use, especially in complex-terrain cities such as those in mountain environments. In this context, Land Surface Temperature (LST) from thermal remote sensing can be used to map urban hotspots at high spatial resolution. Nevertheless, it does not provide the full set of hourly atmospheric variables required to run building energy simulations aimed at quantifying their impact and defining mitigation measures. Given these premises, this study proposes a methodology combining satellite-derived LST with ground meteorological measurements to assess Urban Heat Island (UHI) patterns and quantify how measured weather data selection affects urban building energy modeling (UBEM) outcomes. After selecting as a case study Bolzano, an Alpine city in Northern Italy, ECOSTRESS LST (2019–2025, May–August) was first processed and quality-screened to (1) compute ΔLST (urban–rural) and (2) identify diurnal and spatial overheating patterns across the building stock. Second, four measured weather datasets—one rural station and three urban stations located in the city core, in the industrial district, and in the urban edge—were used as boundary conditions in an EnergyPlus-based UBEM parametric campaign for 253 residential buildings, covering multiple envelope insulation levels and window-to-wall ratios. Results show strong diurnal asymmetry in surface overheating, with the largest contrasts in the afternoon and prominent industrial hotspots. Ground measurements confirm persistent intra-urban microclimatic differences, and the choice of measured weather dataset causes systematic shifts in simulated cooling demand and thermal comfort. The study highlights the need for weather data selection strategies based on microclimatic context rather than simple proximity, improving representativeness in UBEM applications for Alpine and other heterogeneous urban environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency)
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25 pages, 5242 KB  
Article
The Urban Heat Island Under Climate Change: Analysis of Representative Urban Blocks in Northwestern Italy
by Matteo Piro, Ilaria Ballarini, Mamak P. Tootkaboni, Vincenzo Corrado, Giovanni Pernigotto, Gregorio Borelli and Andrea Gasparella
Energies 2026, 19(3), 660; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19030660 - 27 Jan 2026
Viewed by 535
Abstract
Urban populations are exposed to elevated local temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas due to the urban heat island (UHI) effect, which increases health risks and energy demand. The literature highlights that accurately quantifying UHIs at broader territorial scales remains challenging because of [...] Read more.
Urban populations are exposed to elevated local temperatures compared to surrounding rural areas due to the urban heat island (UHI) effect, which increases health risks and energy demand. The literature highlights that accurately quantifying UHIs at broader territorial scales remains challenging because of limited microscale climate data availability and, at the same time, the difficulty of increasing the spatial coverage of the outcomes. Within the PRIN2022-PNRR CRiStAll (Climate Resilient Strategies by Archetype-based Urban Energy Modeling) project, this work addresses these limitations by coupling Urban Building Energy Modeling with archetype-based representation of urban form and high-resolution climatic data. Urban archetypes are defined as representative microscale configurations derived from combinations of urban canyon geometries and building typologies, accounting for different climatic zones, use categories, and construction periods. The proposed methodology was applied to the city of Turin (Italy), where representative urban blocks were identified and modeled to evaluate key urban context metrics under short-, medium-, and long-term climate scenarios. The UHI effect was assessed using Urban Weather Generator, while energy simulations were performed with CitySim. The urban archetype approach enables both fine spatial resolution and extensive spatial coverage, supporting urban-scale mapping. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency)
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22 pages, 3126 KB  
Article
Parametric Optimization of Dormitory Energy Renovation Through Automated Rooftop PVI Simulations
by Jacek Abramczyk and Wiesław Bielak
Energies 2026, 19(2), 352; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19020352 - 11 Jan 2026
Viewed by 274
Abstract
Compared to the façades of student multi-story dormitories, flat horizontal roofs offer greater freedom in shaping the layout, orientation, horizontal inclination, and geometry of photovoltaic installations (PVI). The large number of parameters defining the geometric and physical characteristics of PVI necessitates the development [...] Read more.
Compared to the façades of student multi-story dormitories, flat horizontal roofs offer greater freedom in shaping the layout, orientation, horizontal inclination, and geometry of photovoltaic installations (PVI). The large number of parameters defining the geometric and physical characteristics of PVI necessitates the development of a method to support the optimization of energy renovation processes. To facilitate this innovative method, several automation and optimization procedures were implemented into a specialized computer application developed within the Rhino/Grasshopper graphical programming environment. The method’s algorithm allows for the definition of an initial parametric qualitative model of each rooftop installation. This model is configured through multiple iterative computer simulations aimed at identifying various discrete optimal qualitative models. The implemented optimizing condition concerns the amount of energy produced and relates to the variability of energy prices as well as the costs of purchasing and mounting the PVI. The optimizing procedure involves replacing a specific portion of grid energy with electricity produced by the PVI. The parameters describing variability include the geometric and physical properties, as well as the orientation of the PVI. In the second step, the algorithm optimizes the desired payback period and investment costs. The obtained results fill a gap in the field of multi-parameter optimizing methods for the energy renovation of student dormitories. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency)
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30 pages, 5219 KB  
Article
Dynamic Multi-Output Stacked-Ensemble Model with Hyperparameter Optimization for Real-Time Forecasting of AHU Cooling-Coil Performance
by Md Mahmudul Hasan, Pasidu Dharmasena and Nabil Nassif
Energies 2026, 19(1), 82; https://doi.org/10.3390/en19010082 - 23 Dec 2025
Viewed by 777
Abstract
This study introduces a dynamic, multi-output stacking framework for real-time forecasting of HVAC cooling-coil behavior in air-handling units. The dynamic model encodes short-horizon system memory with input/target lags and rolling psychrometric features and enforces leakage-free, time-aware validation. Four base learners—Random Forest, Bagging (DT), [...] Read more.
This study introduces a dynamic, multi-output stacking framework for real-time forecasting of HVAC cooling-coil behavior in air-handling units. The dynamic model encodes short-horizon system memory with input/target lags and rolling psychrometric features and enforces leakage-free, time-aware validation. Four base learners—Random Forest, Bagging (DT), XGBoost, and ANN—are each optimized with an Optuna hyperparameter tuner that systematically explores architecture and regularization to identify data-specific, near-optimal configurations. Their out-of-fold predictions are combined through a Ridge-based stacker, yielding state-of-the-art accuracy for supply-air temperature and chilled water leaving temperature (R2 up to 0.9995, NRMSE as low as 0.0105), consistently surpassing individual models. Novelty lies in the explicit dynamics encoding aligned with coil heat and mass-transfer behavior, physics-consistent feature prioritization, and a robust multi-target stacking design tailored for HVAC transients. The findings indicate that this hyperparameter-tuned dynamic framework can serve as a high-fidelity surrogate for cooling-coil performance, supporting set-point optimization, supervisory control, and future extensions to virtual sensing or fault-diagnostics workflows in industrial AHUs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency)
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21 pages, 1899 KB  
Article
Energy Efficiency in Buildings: The Gap Between Energy Certification Methods and Real Performances
by Niccolò Aste, Harold Enrique Huerto-Cardenas, Claudio Del Pero, Fabrizio Leonforte, Michela Buzzetti, Rajendra Singh Adhikari, Elisa Montevecchio and Camille Luna Stella Blavier
Energies 2025, 18(22), 6015; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18226015 - 17 Nov 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1186
Abstract
In response to the pressing need to increase energy efficiency in buildings, new regulations are continually being introduced to enforce higher standards. The recent recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD IV) emphasizes the establishment of national performance standards, which will [...] Read more.
In response to the pressing need to increase energy efficiency in buildings, new regulations are continually being introduced to enforce higher standards. The recent recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD IV) emphasizes the establishment of national performance standards, which will supposedly be based on the national Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). However, energy certifications across several European countries rely on a quasi-steady state approach, which fails to accurately represent real-performance conditions due to inherent limitations. This is more evident in buildings located in warm climates, where actual energy demands far exceed those predicted by energy certifications. To address these discrepancies, a shift towards dynamic performance assessment methods is pivotal. This research compares the heating and cooling energy demand of an office building using two approaches: the quasi-steady state, prescribed by the Italian standard, and the dynamic state. After calibrating the dynamic model, it was employed to perform a simulation incorporating more detailed user profiles and boundary conditions than those used in the quasi-steady state method. This approach allows the preservation of both reasonable accuracy and practical applicability. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of influential parameters seeks to elucidate the main causes of divergence between simulated and measured performance and to identify opportunities for improving EPC. The simulation outcomes indicate that, while the stationary model yields heating energy demand relatively aligned with the measured data, it shows substantial discrepancies (about 50%) in the cooling predictions. Moreover, the findings reinforce the inadequacy of the simpler approach and advocate for the integration of dynamic state simulation in energy performance assessment, aligning with the objectives of the recent EPBD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency)
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38 pages, 7345 KB  
Article
Retabit: A Data-Driven Platform for Urban Renewal and Sustainable Building Renovation
by Leandro Madrazo, Álvaro Sicilia, Adirane Calvo, Jordi Pascual, Enric Mont, Angelos Mylonas and Nadia Soledad Ibañez Iralde
Energies 2025, 18(15), 3895; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18153895 - 22 Jul 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1628
Abstract
The Retabit platform is a data-driven tool designed to bridge the gap between building rehabilitation and urban regeneration by integrating energy, economic, and social dimensions into a single framework. Leveraging multiple public data sources, the platform provides actionable insights to local and national [...] Read more.
The Retabit platform is a data-driven tool designed to bridge the gap between building rehabilitation and urban regeneration by integrating energy, economic, and social dimensions into a single framework. Leveraging multiple public data sources, the platform provides actionable insights to local and national authorities, public housing agencies, urban planners, energy service providers, and research institutions, helping to align renovation initiatives with broader urban transformation goals and climate action objectives. The platform consists of two main components: Analyse, for examining building conditions through multidimensional indicators, and Plan, for designing and simulating renovation projects. Retabit contributes to more transparent and informed decision-making, encourages collaboration across sectors, and addresses long-term sustainability by incorporating participatory planning and impact evaluation. Its scalable structure makes it applicable across diverse geographic areas, policy contexts, and domains linked to sustainable urban development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency)
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33 pages, 7013 KB  
Article
Towards Integrated Design Tools for Water–Energy Nexus Solutions: Simulation of Advanced AWG Systems at Building Scale
by Lucia Cattani, Roberto Figoni, Paolo Cattani and Anna Magrini
Energies 2025, 18(14), 3874; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18143874 - 21 Jul 2025
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1852
Abstract
This study investigated the integration of advanced Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) within the design process of building energy systems, focusing on the water–energy nexus in the context of a real-life hospital building. It is based on a simulation approach, recognised as a viable [...] Read more.
This study investigated the integration of advanced Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) within the design process of building energy systems, focusing on the water–energy nexus in the context of a real-life hospital building. It is based on a simulation approach, recognised as a viable means to analyse and enhance AWG potentialities. However, the current state of research does not address the issue of AWG integration within building plant systems. This study contributes to fill such a research gap by building upon an authors’ previous work and proposing an enhanced methodology. The methodology describes how to incorporate a multipurpose AWG system into the energy simulation environment of DesignBuilder (DB), version 7.0.0116, through its coupling with AWGSim, version 1.20d, a simulation tool specifically developed for atmospheric water generators. The chosen case study is a wing of the Mondino Hospital in Pavia, Italy, selected for its complex geometry and HVAC requirements. By integrating AWG outputs—covering water production, heating, and cooling—into DB, this study compared two configurations: the existing HVAC system and an enhanced version that includes the AWG as plant support. The simulation results demonstrated a 16.3% reduction in primary energy consumption (from 231.3 MWh to 193.6 MWh), with the elimination of methane consumption and additional benefits in water production (257 m3). This water can be employed for photovoltaic panel cleaning, further reducing the primary energy consumption to 101.9 MWh (55.9% less than the existing plant), and for human consumption or other technical needs. Moreover, this study highlights the potential of using AWG technology to supply purified water, which can be a pivotal solution for hospitals located in areas affected by water crises. This research contributes to the atmospheric water field by addressing the important issue of simulating AWG systems within building energy design tools, enabling informed decisions regarding water–energy integration at the project stage and supporting a more resilient and sustainable approach to building infrastructure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency)
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27 pages, 1848 KB  
Article
A Decision Support Tool to Assess the Energy Renovation Performance Through a Timber-Based Solution for Concrete-Framed Buildings
by Gianpiero Evola, Michele Torrisi, Vincenzo Costanzo, Marilena Lazzaro, Diego Arnone and Giuseppe Margani
Energies 2025, 18(11), 2839; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18112839 - 29 May 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 896
Abstract
The present paper describes a novel and user-friendly Decision Support System (e-DSS) designed to assist technicians in the preliminary design stage of a building renovation process based on the solutions developed in the innovation project e-SAFE, funded by the EU under the H2020 [...] Read more.
The present paper describes a novel and user-friendly Decision Support System (e-DSS) designed to assist technicians in the preliminary design stage of a building renovation process based on the solutions developed in the innovation project e-SAFE, funded by the EU under the H2020 program. The e-DSS is engineered to rapidly assess key performance indicators, including energy performance before and after renovation, reduction in CO2 emission for space heating, space cooling, and DHW preparation, seismic upgrade feasibility, expected costs, and payback time. To demonstrate its capabilities, the e-DSS was applied to an existing public housing building in Catania, southern Italy. The predicted thermal energy needs for space heating and cooling were compared to the results from detailed simulations using a professional-grade software tool, for both as-built condition and a proposed renovation generated by the e-DSS itself. The discrepancies identified through this comparison will inform the refinement of the e-DSS algorithms to increase their accuracy and reliability. More generally, this paper recommends suitable algorithms that can be effectively employed in the development of simplified decision-making tools specifically tailored for building professionals operating in the early phase of building renovation projects. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency)
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17 pages, 439 KB  
Article
Toward Zero-Emission Buildings in Italy: A Holistic Approach to Identify Actions Under Current and Future Climates
by Franz Bianco Mauthe Degerfeld, Mamak P. Tootkaboni, Matteo Piro, Ilaria Ballarini and Vincenzo Corrado
Energies 2025, 18(11), 2721; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18112721 - 23 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1599
Abstract
The European building sector significantly contributes to the EU’s greenhouse gas reduction goals, with the 2024 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) aiming to achieve a decarbonised building stock by 2050. By focusing on an existing office building representative of the Italian building [...] Read more.
The European building sector significantly contributes to the EU’s greenhouse gas reduction goals, with the 2024 Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) aiming to achieve a decarbonised building stock by 2050. By focusing on an existing office building representative of the Italian building stock, this research evaluates various energy efficiency measures and integrates renewable energy systems to transform the building into a Zero-emission Building (ZeB). Moreover, it also utilises future weather data to address the effects of climate change. Results highlight the actions needed for an empirical ZeB transition, offering insights into challenges and key performance indicators across different intervention scenarios. The findings contribute to establishing national ZeB standards, emphasising the importance of the national building renovation plan in compliance with the EPBD recast requirements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency)
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20 pages, 846 KB  
Article
The Impact of Climate Change on Economic Uncertainty in the Renovation of a Social Housing Building
by Marco Manzan, Atlas Ramezani and Julia Jean Corona
Energies 2025, 18(10), 2562; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18102562 - 15 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1076
Abstract
The renovation of buildings impacts various factors; one of them is the economic aspect, which has a significant influence on the decision-making process in building refurbishment, especially in social housing. An often-neglected aspect of renovation is the influence of climate change. Typically, historical [...] Read more.
The renovation of buildings impacts various factors; one of them is the economic aspect, which has a significant influence on the decision-making process in building refurbishment, especially in social housing. An often-neglected aspect of renovation is the influence of climate change. Typically, historical climate data are used to estimate the building’s future energy needs. However, due to climate change, this approach may fail to accurately represent future environmental conditions, resulting in miscalculations in energy consumption and costs. This study analyzed a building archetype obtained from the TABULA webtool with the characteristics of a social house building located in Trieste. Dynamic simulations were performed using DesignBuilder and EnergyPlus software and future climate models (the GERICS_CNRM-CM5 and GERICS_IPSL-CM5A-MR models obtained from the EURO-CORDEX database). The projected energy needs of the renovated building and its economic effects were compared with current scenarios, and due to the uncertainties in economic parameters, the outcome is expressed in terms of percentiles of the Net Present Value (NPV). The results of this study show that since temperature increases in the future, the need for energy in the heating period reduces, while the need for cooling increases, directly affecting the statistical distribution of the NPV. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency)
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33 pages, 8770 KB  
Article
The Role of Energy Communities in the Achievement of a Region’s Energy Goals: The Case of a Southeast Mediterranean Region
by Yfanti Sofia, Dimitris Katsaprakakis, Nikos Sakkas, Constantinos Condaxakis, Emmanuel Karapidakis, Stelios Syntichakis and George M. Stavrakakis
Energies 2025, 18(6), 1327; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18061327 - 7 Mar 2025
Cited by 14 | Viewed by 2199
Abstract
This study explores the potential of ECs as a conduit for achieving a region’s or a country’s energy goals. The study focuses on Greece, where roughly 1700 energy communities have been founded since 2018. The methodology adopted is based, initially, on an extensive [...] Read more.
This study explores the potential of ECs as a conduit for achieving a region’s or a country’s energy goals. The study focuses on Greece, where roughly 1700 energy communities have been founded since 2018. The methodology adopted is based, initially, on an extensive literature survey, aiming to outline the general energy goals on a regional and national level. On a second stage, focused interviews were accomplished with four of the biggest energy communities in Greece, investigating essential topics, such as their motivations, their business models, the obstacles they have faced, and their achievements. Environmental, economic, and energy security reasons were revealed as the main incentives for the foundation of energy communities in Greece. The major obstacles underlined by the interviewees were the bureaucracy and the changing, often towards a less supportive direction, legal framework. The contribution to a more sustainable energy environment, the reduction of the electricity procurement cost, and the remedy of energy poverty feature as the most important achievements. In the context of the ongoing energy transition in Greece, this article concludes that even though ECs can promote energy transition and mobilise a commonly acknowledged dialogue that can aid a nation’s efforts to achieve its energy goals, further investigation is required regarding the proposed policy initiatives, focused on strategies for upscaling the impact of energy communities, thus enabling them to flourish further. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency)
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20 pages, 4737 KB  
Article
Theoretical Analysis of a Novel Rock Wall to Limit Heating Demands in Historical Buildings
by Roberto Bruno and Antonio Cristaudo
Energies 2024, 17(21), 5465; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17215465 - 31 Oct 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1420
Abstract
In the near future, the building sector will continue to absorb the greatest share of primary energy worldwide. It is necessary to find innovative solutions that promote energy efficiency through renovation measures, especially in historical buildings, for which refurbishment is constrained by several [...] Read more.
In the near future, the building sector will continue to absorb the greatest share of primary energy worldwide. It is necessary to find innovative solutions that promote energy efficiency through renovation measures, especially in historical buildings, for which refurbishment is constrained by several issues. In this study, we propose a novel Trombe Wall configuration that is easily integrable and based on a rock wall made of caged stone to use as a thermal accumulator. The system was investigated preliminarily using a transient Finite Difference Method (FDM) code to analyse the temperature field inside the rock wall. Successively, FDM results were employed as input data in TRNSYS simulations to determine the savings achievable in thermal heating requirements. The results demonstrated that the proposed solution, in the considered climate and on a reference historic building, can produce monthly heating savings varying between 26% and 85%. So, the rock wall results in a reliable solution for buildings in which refurbishment is difficult, allowing for preserving aesthetic features and improving energy efficiency by rationally using solar radiation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency)
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25 pages, 9445 KB  
Article
Exploratory Analysis of a Novel Modular Green Wall’s Impact on Indoor Temperature and Energy Consumption in Residential Buildings: A Case Study from Belgium
by Milana Radujković, Alexis Versele and Hilde Breesch
Energies 2024, 17(21), 5267; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17215267 - 23 Oct 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4301
Abstract
One possible solution that mitigates the effects of climate change is the implementation of vertical greenery systems, which have the potential to reduce the need for cooling and provide energy savings for heating. This paper evaluates the effects of an innovative modular green [...] Read more.
One possible solution that mitigates the effects of climate change is the implementation of vertical greenery systems, which have the potential to reduce the need for cooling and provide energy savings for heating. This paper evaluates the effects of an innovative modular green wall on indoor temperature and energy use in a residential case study building. This research was carried out on a residential house in the city of Ghent, Belgium, whose southwest facade is covered with a specific type of modular green wall (a structure with a specific substrate and plants that have the ability to purify water so that it can be reused in the house). The monitoring process included four different temperatures (in front of and behind the green wall, in the substrate, and on the wall without greenery) during winter and summer periods. To analyze the effect on the internal temperature and energy use, a DesignBuilder simulation model was built and validated against these experimental results. This green wall has proven to have the greatest effect during the hottest summer days by reducing the indoor temperature by up to 3.5 °C. It also effectively increases the indoor temperature by up to 1.4 °C on a cold winter day, leading to energy savings of 6% on an annual basis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency)
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23 pages, 7493 KB  
Article
Heating Industrial Buildings with Heat Pump Air Systems: Is It Always the Most Advantageous Option?
by Marco Noro
Energies 2024, 17(20), 5209; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17205209 - 19 Oct 2024
Viewed by 2117
Abstract
According to extant Italian legislation implementing the Renewable Energy Directive, the mandatory renewable quota for a new building is 60% referring to a single service (e.g., heating during winter) or to multiple services (e.g., heating during winter and air conditioning during summer), depending [...] Read more.
According to extant Italian legislation implementing the Renewable Energy Directive, the mandatory renewable quota for a new building is 60% referring to a single service (e.g., heating during winter) or to multiple services (e.g., heating during winter and air conditioning during summer), depending on which services are actually present. The obligation to satisfy this minimum value often leads heating and ventilation plant designers to provide heat pump systems in industrial buildings, typically air/water or direct expansion type coupled with air terminals (air heaters or ventilation units) or radiant floors. The question is: Is this always the most advantageous option for industrial buildings? A typical industrial building was modeled by Trnsys® in two different climates. Based on the calculated thermal heating loads, the condensing radiant tubes and heat pump coupled with the air heaters systems were analyzed through dynamic simulation, evaluating their performance from an energy, environmental impact, and economic point of view. The analysis carried out revealed that a heat pump system is not always the most advantageous solution depending on the climate, the characteristics of the building (less or more thermal insulation, which corresponds to existing buildings rather than new ones), and the size of the photovoltaics system eventually installed on the roof. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency)
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21 pages, 28072 KB  
Article
New External Design Temperatures and Geospatial Models for Poland and Central Europe for Building Heat Load Calculations
by Piotr Narowski, Dariusz Heim and Maciej Mijakowski
Energies 2024, 17(16), 3905; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17163905 - 7 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 7654
Abstract
This article proposes new values and geospatial models of winter and summer external design temperatures for designing buildings’ heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. The climatic design parameters applicable in Poland for the sizing of these installations are approximately 50 years old and [...] Read more.
This article proposes new values and geospatial models of winter and summer external design temperatures for designing buildings’ heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. The climatic design parameters applicable in Poland for the sizing of these installations are approximately 50 years old and do not correspond to Poland’s current climate. New values of climatic design parameters were determined following the methods described in European standards and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Handbook of Fundamentals. The determined climatic design parameters, particularly the winter and summer external design temperatures, were compared with those currently in force by law in Poland. The external air design dry-bulb temperatures presented in the article were developed based on meteorological and climatic data from the years 1991–2020 from two data sources: synoptic data from the Institute of Meteorology and Water Management (IMWM) in Poland and reanalysis models of the ERA5 database of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). According to ASHRAE, with 99.6% and 0.4% frequency of occurrence, external air design dry-bulb temperatures for winter and summer were used to develop mathematical geospatial models of external design temperatures for the Central Europe area with Poland’s territory in the centre part. Scattered data from 667 meteorological stations were interpolated to 40,000 uniform mesh points using a biharmonic spline interpolation method to develop these models. Linear regression and ANOVA analysis for the ERA5-generated data from 900 checkpoint data items were used to estimate the correctness of these models. Verified models were used to calculate winter and summer external design temperature isolines presented together with colour space representation on Mercator projected maps of Central Europe. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Performance Analysis of Building Energy Efficiency)
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