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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: 5 November 2025 | Viewed by 7694

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 Torino, Italy
Interests: building energy performance modeling; building physics; indoor environmental quality; urban energy modeling; building climate resilience

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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 (7 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 439 KiB  
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
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 KiB  
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
Viewed by 196
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 KiB  
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
Viewed by 662
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 KiB  
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 2 | Viewed by 873
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 KiB  
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 1 | Viewed by 1602
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 KiB  
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 1200
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 KiB  
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 1 | Viewed by 2516
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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