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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (28 February 2022) | Viewed by 19717
Please submit your paper and select the Journal "Energies" and the Special Issue "Novel Systems for the Era of Zero-Energy Buildings" via: https://susy.mdpi.com/user/manuscripts/upload?journal=energies. Please contact the journal editor Adele Min (adele.min@mdpi.com) before submitting.

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Seung-Yeong Song

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Guest Editor

Department of Architectural & Urban Systems Engineering, Ewha Womans University, Seoul 03760, Korea
Interests: building energy; thermal insulation; thermal bridge; condensation; high-performance curtain wall and fenestration; renewable energy; smart building; off-site construction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Zero-energy buildings no longer exist only in theory but have already become familiar. In fact, many countries have enacted policies to actively promote the construction of zero-energy buildings. It is well-known that zero-energy buildings are made feasible by minimizing energy use through the application of energy-efficient passive and active systems while maximizing energy production through renewable energy systems. To make these zero-energy buildings practical and improve their market acceptance, there are many challenges which need to be addressed. Such challenges include securing economic feasibility, providing various system options, and performing continuous maintenance.

To meet the needs of the era of zero-energy buildings, numerous research and development projects are in progress, and various novel systems are emerging that are distinct from traditional systems. The aim of this Special Issue is to exchange relevant ideas and knowledge by introducing novel systems in a variety of areas. To this end, original contributions containing research, case studies, or a comprehensive state-of-the-art review are welcome for possible publication. Relevant topics for this Special Issue include but are not limited to the following:

Thermal insulation materials/systems;
Air-tightening materials/systems;
Phase change materials/systems;
Building structures using thermal inertia;
Daylighting materials/systems;
Envelope components/systems;
Glazing/windows;
Technical systems, including heating, hot water, cooling, ventilating, and lighting;
Smart services/systems;
Building energy management systems;
Renewable energy systems.

Prof. Dr. Seung-Yeong Song
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

17 pages, 23115 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Insulation Performance Comparison of Curtain Wall Systems with Existing Pipe Frames and Truss-Shaped Insulation Frames

by Bo-Hye Choi and Seung-Yeong Song

Energies 2021, 14(15), 4682; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14154682 - 2 Aug 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2621

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare insulation performance between a base case that applied the existing steel pipe frame and an alternative case that reduced thermal bridging by applying a truss-shaped insulation frame (TIF) to a back frame type curtain wall. Insulation performance was compared by obtaining the effective U-factor and the lowest indoor surface temperature through a three-dimensional steady-state heat transfer simulation. In addition, mock-up tests were performed to compare the U-factors of the base case and alternative case. The simulation results showed that the effective U-factor of the alternative case was 36% lower than in the base case, a significant heat loss reduction. The lowest indoor surface temperature of the alternative case was 0.5 °C higher than in the base case, showing that the surface condensation risk also decreased. In the mock-up test results, the alternative case U-factor was 33% lower than in the base case, confirming the associated large heat loss reduction. For the base case, both the effective U-factor by simulation and the U-factor by the mock-up test were much higher than the design U-factor according to the Korean Design Standard, which neglects thermal bridging, indicating a significantly increased heat loss caused by this factor. For the alternative case, however, both U-factors were similar to the design U-factor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Systems for the Era of Zero-Energy Buildings)

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15 pages, 5830 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Cooling Capacity and Energy Performance of Open-Type Ceiling Radiant Cooling Panel System with Air Circulators

by Mi-Su Shin, Ji-Su Choi and Kyu-Nam Rhee

Energies 2021, 14(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14010005 - 22 Dec 2020

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3442

Abstract

Ceiling radiant cooling panel (CRCP) systems are being increasingly applied to commercial buildings due to their high thermal comfort level and energy efficiency. It is recommended that CRCP systems should be operated at a relatively high chilled water temperature to prevent condensation and save energy. However, even though a high chilled water temperature is effective for achieving condensation-free operation and high chiller efficiency, it can lead to insufficient cooling capacity. In this study, a method of enhancing the cooling capacity of CRCP systems was investigated through mock-up chamber tests. The open-type installation of CRCPs and the combination of air circulators were used to enhance the cooling capacity and energy performance of CRCP systems. Experimental results showed that compared to a conventional CRCP system, the cooling capacity of an open-type CRCP system with air circulators increased by up to 26.2%, and its cooling energy consumption decreased by up to 26.4%. Additionally, the open-type CRCP system with air circulators reduced the difference between the room air temperature and mean chilled water temperature. Thus, the proposed system can operate at a relatively high chilled water temperature, which is effective for reducing condensation risk and cooling energy consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Systems for the Era of Zero-Energy Buildings)

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21 pages, 2128 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis and Comparison of Energy Efficiency Code Requirements for Buildings: A Morocco–Spain Case Study

by Ikram Merini, Angel Molina-García, M. Socorro García-Cascales, Mustapha Mahdaoui and Mohamed Ahachad

Energies 2020, 13(22), 5979; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13225979 - 16 Nov 2020

Cited by 34 | Viewed by 4407

Abstract

The trend in energy consumption, with a particular focus on heating and cooling demand, is an issue that is relevant to the promotion of new energy policies and more efficient energy systems. Moreover, heating and cooling energy demand is expected to rise in the next several decades, mainly due to climate change as well as increasing incomes in developing countries. In this context, the building sector is currently a relevant energy-intensive economic sector in Morocco; it accounts for 33% of the country’s total energy demand (as the sector with the second highest energy demand, after the transport sector), with the residential sector accounting for 25% and the tertiary sector accounting for 8%. Aiming to reduce energy dependence and promote sustainable development, the Moroccan government recently issued a comprehensive plan to increase the share of renewables and improve energy efficiency. This strategy includes novel thermal building regulations promoted by the Moroccan Agency for Energy Efficiency. This paper analyzes the thermal behavior and heating-cooling energy demand of a residential building located in Tangier (Morocco) as a case example, based on the country’s new thermal regulations and considering specific climatological conditions. A comparison with common Moroccan residential buildings as well as with those in nearby countries with similar meteorological conditions but significant differences in terms of energy demand regulation and requirements, such as Spain, is also included. Simulations were carried out using the DesingBuilder and EnergyPlus Software packages. According to the results, the last building thermal regulation requirements in Morocco need to be revised and extended in order to achieve the energy efficiency objectives established by the Moroccan government for 2030. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Systems for the Era of Zero-Energy Buildings)

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23 pages, 6313 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Building Energy Efficiency Measures on Air Quality at the Neighborhood Level in Athens, Greece

by Natasha Frilingou and Demetri Bouris

Energies 2020, 13(21), 5689; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13215689 - 30 Oct 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2899

Abstract

The high concentration of pollutant sources, complex topography, and regional meteorology are all factors that may contribute to air episodes in dense urban areas. Energy use in buildings is a significant source of pollution in the Greater Athens Area (GAA), Greece, where over 90% of the existing building stock has been classified below energy class B. The present study focuses on the potential effects that a realistic level of building energy efficiency upgrades will have on the air quality over the GAA. Results are expected to be relevant to similar urban areas. Furthermore, the study of primary pollutants’ dispersion is applied at a 1.2 × 1.2 km spatial resolution, providing significant local (neighborhood) level information. Numerical simulations were performed using EPA’s CALPUFF modeling system with wind field input from an independent numerical weather prediction using NCAR’s Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. In order to calculate emission rates from major roads, highways, shipping ports, residential heating installations, and major industrial facilities, data were taken from National and European statistics, demographics, and local topography. After validation, the modeling system was used to examine three building energy efficiency upgrade scenarios, implemented on 20% of the buildings. Ground level concentrations of SO₂, NO_x, CO, and PM10 were calculated and reductions of up to 9% were found for GAA maximum values but up to 18% for local values that were also close to or above the European safety thresholds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Systems for the Era of Zero-Energy Buildings)

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22 pages, 6153 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of Energy Saving Effect and Cost Efficiency of ECMs to Upgrade the Building Energy Code

by Hye Gi Kim, Hyun Jun Kim, Chae Hwan Jeon, Myeong Won Chae, Young Hum Cho and Sun Sook Kim

Energies 2020, 13(18), 4955; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13184955 - 21 Sep 2020

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3385

Abstract

Building energy codes are key policy tools for improving building energy efficiency by defining the minimum requirement for the energy performance of new buildings. In Korea, the building energy code was focused on prescriptive criteria for a long time but is now gradually introducing performance criteria. However, switching to performance criteria is not straightforward because of the resistance of the market to abandoning the well-consolidated prescriptive criteria. The objective of this study is to derive appropriate measures to strengthen the prescriptive criteria and the performance criteria, considering both the energy-saving effect and the economic efficiency for new office buildings and educational buildings to increase the market acceptance of the building energy codes. To this end, the energy-saving effects of reference buildings resulting from the reinforcement of the prescriptive criteria in the past have been first analyzed. Then, based on the collected energy performance parameters and cost data, the economic efficiency relative to the energy saving deriving from the application of passive and active energy conservation measures (ECMs) were analyzed, and future building energy code’s reinforcement measures were derived. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Systems for the Era of Zero-Energy Buildings)

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20 pages, 7176 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Statistical Approach for Predicting Airtightness in Residential Units of Reinforced Concrete Apartment Buildings in Korea

by Kyung-Hwan Ji, Hyun-Kook Shin, Seungwoo Han and Jae-Hun Jo

Energies 2020, 13(14), 3598; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13143598 - 13 Jul 2020

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2126

Abstract

In this study, a model equation is derived that uses a statistical analysis based on empirical models to predict the airtightness of reinforced concrete apartment buildings popular in Asian regions. Airtightness data from 486 units personally measured by the authors in the past eight years are used. As major variables used in the prediction model, two groups of variables are configured for the geometric components of the envelope, which is a major path of airflow in a building and is where air infiltration and leakage occur. The two groups of variables represent (1) the areas of the individual components forming the envelope and (2) the connection lengths between different components of the envelope. For the effective prediction of airtightness, correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were applied step by step in this study. The results of the correlation analysis indicated that the areas of the slab and the window are the area variables that present the greatest impact, whereas the perimeter length of the window is the connection length variable that presents the greatest impact. Using a multiple linear regression analysis method, airtightness prediction model equations can be derived, and it is found that the model with variables for area is able to predict airtightness more accurately compared to the two models derived from variables for connection length and all variables for area and connection length. Although the statistical approach in this study shows a limitation in that the prediction results may vary depending on the attributes and type of data collected by countries, the methodology and procedure in this study contribute to similar studies for making prediction models and finding the influence of variables in the future with high applicability and feasibility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Systems for the Era of Zero-Energy Buildings)

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