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Sustainable Buildings and Green Design
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Sustainable Buildings and Green Design

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2025 | Viewed by 2146

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Eva Zavrl

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: PCM thermal storage; latent thermal storage; latent heat storage; PCMs in hydronic systems; PCMs for heating; PCMs for cooling; PCM heat storage; PCM cold storage; PCM maturity; TRL of PCM; energy renovation of the building; heat pump; heat storage tank; phase-change material
Prof. Dr. Mohamed El Mankibi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Ecole Nationale des Travaux Publics de l’Etat, Lyon University, LTDS, CNRS, UMR 5513, 69518 Vaulx-en-Velin Cedex, France
Interests: hybrid ventilation; energy efficiency; green building; indoor air conditions; sustainable materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Alenka Temeljotov Salaj

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7034 Trondheim, Norway
Interests: topics in sustainable refurbishment; transformation and adaptive re-use of existing buildings; urban facilities management; social sustainability; citizen participation and smart and sustainable solutions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of “sustainable buildings and green design” is rapidly evolving, addressing some of the most critical challenges of our time. This special issue aims to bring together innovative research, cutting-edge methodologies, and practical applications that contribute to advancements in sustainable buildings and green design. We invite researchers, scholars, and industry experts to submit their original research articles, reviews, and case studies that push the boundaries of knowledge in sustainable buildings and green design.

This special issue will focus on the following topics, providing a platform for discussing new insights, trends, and future directions. We welcome contributions that highlight both theoretical and experimental approaches, with the ultimate goal of fostering innovation and progress in the field.

Energy Efficiency and renovation of buildings:

  • Design and implementation of energy-efficient building systems.
  • Integration of renewable energy sources (e.g., solar, wind).
  • Energy modeling and performance analysis (Building performance and advanced simulation tools, Modeling and simulation of building stocks at different scales, Thermal analysis of buildings, Urban physics measurement and modelling).
  • Heritage buildings renovation.

Materials and Resources:

  • Sustainable building materials, products and techniques
  • Life cycle assessment of materials, building products and buildings.
  • Recycling and reuse of building materials.

Green Building Certifications and Standards:

  • Sustainable building assessment and certification

Building Design and Architecture:

  • Passive design strategies (Natural lighting and ventilation etc.).
  • Adaptive reuse of existing buildings.

Construction Practices:

  • Waste reduction and management during construction.
  • Health and safety in green construction.

Building Operations and Maintenance:

  • Sustainable facility management.
  • Building automation systems for energy and resource management.
  • Performance monitoring and optimization.

Climate Resilience:

  • Designing buildings to withstand extreme weather events.
  • Adaptation strategies for climate change.
  • Disaster risk reduction.

Socio-Economic Aspects:

  • Affordability and accessibility of sustainable buildings.
  • Social equity and community benefits.
  • Policy and regulatory frameworks supporting green design.

Innovation and Technology:

  • Smart building technologies (Advanced building envelopes, Smart space conditioning systems that are responsive to comfort, Sustainable, hybrid, and smart heating and air conditioning technologies etc.).
  • Integration of Internet of Things (IoT) in building management.
  • Advanced building control technologies and principles.
  • Artificial intelligence as applied to buildings or building systems.
  • Automation in the built environment using brain-computer interfaces.
  • Data management and digital twins for automation in the built environment.

Education and Awareness:

  • Public awareness and engagement in green design initiatives.

Dr. Eva Zavrl
Prof. Dr. Mohamed El Mankibi
Prof. Dr. Alenka Temeljotov Salaj
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

  • energy efficiency
  • climate resilience
  • smart building technologies
  • renewable energy sources
  • building performance modeling
  • advanced simulation tools

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

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 10134 KiB  
Article
Bridging the Gap to Decarbonization: Evaluating Energy Renovation Performance and Compliance
by Gašper Stegnar
Energies 2025, 18(5), 1146; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18051146 - 26 Feb 2025
Viewed by 445
Abstract
Achieving a decarbonized built environment by 2050 requires significant advancements in building renovation strategies, with a strong emphasis on energy efficiency and emissions reduction. This study examined the compliance of buildings renovated between 2015 and 2022 with national energy performance regulations. While many [...] Read more.
Achieving a decarbonized built environment by 2050 requires significant advancements in building renovation strategies, with a strong emphasis on energy efficiency and emissions reduction. This study examined the compliance of buildings renovated between 2015 and 2022 with national energy performance regulations. While many buildings have undergone improvements, a substantial portion still fail to meet the stricter, current requirements, particularly in terms of window and floor insulation, highlighting the need for further retrofit measures. Comparing static and dynamic simulation models reveals that static models frequently overestimate energy savings, leading to misaligned investment decisions. Dynamic simulations, by incorporating real-time climate interactions and transient thermal behaviors, provide a more accurate assessment of energy demand and efficiency improvements. A financial analysis indicates that static models often predict unrealistically short payback periods, potentially resulting in suboptimal renovation investments. To meet decarbonization goals, future strategies must integrate advanced simulation methodologies, strengthen regulatory oversight, and enhance financial incentives for comprehensive energy renovations. A data-driven approach is essential to ensure that building retrofits achieve meaningful energy savings and contribute to climate neutrality. Strengthening compliance frameworks and promoting standardized renovation practices will be key to bridging the gap between expected and actual performance, ensuring a sustainable and resilient built environment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Buildings and Green Design)
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17 pages, 7432 KiB  
Article
Vacuum-Insulated Glazing Assessment by CFD Modeling and Laboratory Measurements
by Jacek Schnotale, Giorgio Baldinelli, Francesco Bianchi and Agnieszka Lechowska
Energies 2025, 18(5), 1139; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18051139 - 26 Feb 2025
Viewed by 459
Abstract
This paper concerns measurements and CFD simulations of vacuum-insulated glazing (VIG), which consists of two glass panes separated by a narrow gap from which air has been removed. Distancers, e.g., in the form of small balls, are inserted into this gap every few [...] Read more.
This paper concerns measurements and CFD simulations of vacuum-insulated glazing (VIG), which consists of two glass panes separated by a narrow gap from which air has been removed. Distancers, e.g., in the form of small balls, are inserted into this gap every few centimeters to prevent the glass from deflecting. In the first part, simulations of two-pane VIG thermal transmittance with the Ansys Fluent program are described, resulting in thermal transmittance of VIG without the network of distancers equal to 2.18 W/(m2K) and with the distancers equal to 2.29 W/(m2K). The influence of the supports on the thermal transmittance of VIG is also determined. The CFD results show that the supporting balls increase the two-pane VIG thermal transmittance by about 0.15% with respect to the glazing without the distancers. Then, VIG is analyzed both numerically and tested in two measurement stands. Firstly, the tests are performed in a guarded hot-plate apparatus, according to the EN ISO 8302 standard. The two-pane glazing with one low-emissivity coating has a measured thermal transmittance equal to 1.75 W/(m2K). Other measurements were undertaken in the calorimetric chamber equipped with the hot-box apparatus. The results of the numerical assessment are then compared to the measurements of the existing three-pane vacuum-insulated glazing with two low-emissivity coatings, the same as simulated. The procedure follows the EN ISO 8990 standard. Measurement results of 1.10 W/(m2K) are compared to the simulation results of VIG thermal transmittance equal to 1.09 W/(m2K). A satisfactory agreement is reached. Additionally, this paper considers a new correction coefficient to thermal transmittance according to standard EN 673 in order to achieve a proper calculation of vacuum-insulated glazing in the center-of-glass region. The authors propose to use an adjustment coefficient of 1.05 when calculating the thermal transmittance of vacuum-insulated glazing without taking into account convection in the vacuum space and the thermal influence of distancers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Buildings and Green Design)
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15 pages, 2447 KiB  
Article
Sustainability in Public Lighting: The Methodology for Identifying Environmentally Optimal Solutions in Replacement Planning—A Case Study
by Fabrizio Cumo, Elisa Pennacchia and Adriana Scarlet Sferra
Energies 2025, 18(3), 535; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18030535 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 736
Abstract
The urban public lighting system plays a fundamental role in enhancing safety and shaping the nocturnal identity of the city. Efficient lighting is also a key factor in reducing energy consumption and lowering atmospheric emissions. In the context of sustainable development goals, increasing [...] Read more.
The urban public lighting system plays a fundamental role in enhancing safety and shaping the nocturnal identity of the city. Efficient lighting is also a key factor in reducing energy consumption and lowering atmospheric emissions. In the context of sustainable development goals, increasing attention is being directed towards the energy, social, economic, and environmental benefits associated with the adoption of LED lighting systems. This paper aims to assess the environmental impacts of two different public outdoor lighting replacement planning scenarios. The methodology employed in this study calculates the environmental impacts using a life cycle approach, incorporating data from the Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) of the lighting systems. It involves a systematic census and categorization of lighting fixtures based on their installation year to determine both their quantity and average efficiency. This methodology, applied to a case study, demonstrates that it is possible to reduce the CO2-equivalent emissions by approximately 7% depending on the technical and environmental performance of the fixtures and the timing of their replacements. These results provide a scientific foundation for supporting both the preparation of planning tools by governance entities and the technical and economic feasibility of designing and implementing interventions aimed at improving the environmental performance of public lighting. These efforts could contribute to achieving climate neutrality, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating the effects of climate change. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainable Buildings and Green Design)
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