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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 (15 January 2025) | Viewed by 12098

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Marta Skiba

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Guest Editor

Institute of Civil Engineering, University of Zielona Góra, Zielona Góra, Poland
Interests: sustainability, sustainable development, architecture, investment, urban planning, energy, urban, sustainability, urban development, built, environment, land use planning; environmental protection policy; urban policy
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Dr. Barbara Widera

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Architecture, Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Wybrzeże Wyspiańskiego 27, 50-370 Wrocław, Poland
Interests: bioclimatic architecture; energy efficiency in buildings; sustainable design; user thermal comfort; hydrogen energy storage; New European Bauhaus; European Green Deal; carbon emissions

Dr. Małgorzata Sztubecka

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, Bydgoszcz University of Science and Technology, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Interests: environment; sustainable development; environmental analysis; noise perception; surveying
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Effective design and implementation of technologies in cities can be the key to social, economic, and environmental balance. The evolution of cities that can sustainably meet the current challenges depends on their inhabitants, economic development, wealth, technologies, and policies that manage energy, water, waste and healthcare, mobility, and safety. In line with the European Green Deal policy, the efficient use of renewable energy sources and energy efficiency in buildings are the key challenges for science, research, and innovation today. As part of the European Green Deal, with the European Climate Law, the EU has set a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030. The so-called ‘Fit for 55 packages’ is aimed at the alignment of current legislation with the requirements of these ambitious objectives.

Tackling climate change and decarbonization requires a transition to clean, renewable energy, particularly from variable energy sources (VRE). Such an action, in turn, implies solving the issue of both short-term and long-term energy storage for later use at the scale of buildings and cities. Improving the energy efficiency of buildings requires effective bioclimatic strategies and the implementation of deep renovation processes. To European cities and their architectural heritage, this issue demands special attention. The New European Bauhaus, an initiative strongly supported by President Ursula Von der Leyen, offers new opportunities for such action, in conjunction with a deeper understanding of the importance of EU heritage buildings. It is therefore now a crucial task for European society to strike a balance between maximum energy efficiency and environmental care, and a beautiful, accessible and safe residential environment, in line with NEB creative and interdisciplinary initiative, convening a space of encounter to design future ways of living, situated at the crossroads between art, culture, social inclusion, science, and technology. The energy transformation of cities requires intensification of activities because when creating a vision of local development, communities more often focus on educational activities, including those promoting new energy solutions, than on infrastructure investments. Residents, managers, and decision-makers are responsible for how the city can use innovations in the design of buildings and infrastructure facilities and the introduction of low-energy devices and systems. The search for savings in systemic activities gives the greatest benefits, which is best evidenced by the EU's activities (its directives) and, for example, the introduced color certificates to reward the reduction of CO₂ emissions.

The Special Issue seeks to examine the barriers and opportunities related to energy policies, district, and neighbourhood energy networks, effective energy storage methods, various methods of end-user engagement in energy efficiency issues, from individual households to the cities and regions of the whole. Equally, it is essential to recognize the bioclimatic, environmental, and cultural context of the buildings, with the increased awareness and more refined design and analytical tools. Hence, this Special Issue welcomes contributions on all aspects of efficient use of renewable energy, bioclimatic approaches, and emerging trends in the holistic design of a beautiful and accessible built environment in the context of combating climate change through architectural methods in the context of the European Green Deal and New European Bauhaus.

Dr. Marta Skiba
Dr. Barbara Widera
Dr. Małgorzata Sztubecka
Guest Editors

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Keywords

Energy efficiency in buildings
Energy storage
Bioclimatic architecture
Sustainability
Urban development
Land-use planning
Environmental protection policy
Urban policy
Monitoring and issues of sustainable development in energy
Social and economic effects of energy efficiency

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

24 pages, 3641 KiB

Open AccessArticle

MATLAB Simulink-Based Modelling and Performance Analysis of District Heating Substations for Renewable Energy Integration

by Gyula Richárd Kiss, Miklós Horváth and Zoltán Szánthó

Energies 2025, 18(9), 2370; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18092370 - 6 May 2025

Viewed by 809

Abstract

Sustainable and energy-efficient district heating systems are essential for reducing carbon emissions and improving building energy performance. This study presents a MATLAB (Version: 2024b) Simulink-based modelling and performance analysis approach for evaluating district heating substations, focusing on lowering the primary return temperature to support renewable energy integration. The analysis investigates the role of heat exchanger configurations and the effects of varying mass flow rates and domestic hot water (DHW) consumption. Three substation designs are examined. Version 1 (v1) includes three heat exchangers with a single DHW storage charge and circulation pump; version 2 (v2) has two heat exchangers with a similar pump arrangement; and version 3 (v3) features three heat exchangers with separate DHW circulation and storage charge pumps. Based on the simulation results, the v1 configuration demonstrated the most favourable performance in terms of primary return temperature reduction. The v2 configuration resulted in the highest return temperatures among the three, whereas the thermal performance of v3 was intermediate, falling between the outcomes of v1 and v2. However, the v3 configuration requires further optimization to enhance its primary return temperature reduction performance and achieve more effective functioning under varying operating conditions. The comparison highlights that optimised district heating substation design can reduce return temperatures. Lower return temperatures improve system efficiency and enable greater integration of renewable energy sources. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Energy Storage and Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Cities)

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28 pages, 5500 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of the Urban Heat Island and Future Climate on Urban Building Energy Use in a Midwestern U.S. Neighborhood

by Farzad Hashemi, Parisa Najafian, Negar Salahi, Sedigheh Ghiasi and Ulrike Passe

Energies 2025, 18(6), 1474; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18061474 - 17 Mar 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1292

Abstract

Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) datasets, widely used in building energy modeling, overlook Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects and future climate trends by relying on long-term data from rural stations such as airports. This study addresses this limitation by integrating Urban Weather Generator (UWG) simulations with CCWorldWeatherGen projections to produce microclimate-adjusted and future weather scenarios. These datasets were then incorporated into an Urban Building Energy Modeling (UBEM) framework using Urban Modeling Interface (UMI) to evaluate energy performance across a low-income residential neighborhood in Des Moines, Iowa. Results show that UHI intensity will rise from an annual average of 0.55 °C under current conditions to 0.60 °C by 2050 and 0.63 °C by 2080, with peak intensities in summer. The UHI elevates cooling Energy Use Intensity (EUI) by 7% today, with projections indicating a sharp increase—91% by 2050 and 154% by 2080. The UHI will further amplify cooling demand by 2.3% and 6.2% in 2050 and 2080, respectively. Conversely, heating EUI will decline by 20.0% by 2050 and 40.1% by 2080, with the UHI slightly reducing heating demand. Insulation mitigates cooling loads but becomes less effective for heating demand over time. These findings highlight the need for climate-adaptive policies, building retrofits, and UHI mitigation to manage future cooling demand. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Energy Storage and Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Cities)

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20 pages, 5012 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Renovation of Typological Clusters with Building-Integrated Photovoltaic Systems

by Irene Del Hierro López, Nuria Martín-Chivelet, Jesús Polo and Lorenzo Olivieri

Energies 2025, 18(6), 1394; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18061394 - 12 Mar 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 627

Abstract

The current climate emergency makes it imperative to take action to halt the irreversible destruction of the planet, with the renovation of existing buildings playing a crucial role. In Europe, particularly in Spain, energy efficiency improvements in existing buildings are undertaken in only a small fraction of cases. This gap presents a valuable opportunity to implement measures that encourage such interventions. To enhance energy production and tackle this issue from a distributed energy perspective, building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems emerge as a key solution. In this context, the primary objective of this research is to enhance the visibility and promote the adoption of BIPV systems in building energy retrofitting through the development of a standardised action framework for their installation across distinct typological clusters. To achieve this objective, a comprehensive and systematic analysis was undertaken to construct a classification that most accurately and exhaustively represents the Spanish building stock. The analysis resulted in the identification of 15 typological clusters, which, based on shared formal attributes, were consolidated into 3 principal clusters. For each of these three primary groups, a tailored action guide for BIPV system implementation was developed, addressing their specific characteristics and highlighting the critical factors to be considered in each case. To illustrate the practical application of the proposed framework, a representative case study was selected and subjected to an in-depth analysis, resulting in a detailed proposal for BIPV system installations on both the façade and the roof. In this regard, this research develops an initial procedural framework that comprehensively represents diverse building typologies, providing a structured protocol for the integration of BIPV systems within the context of energy retrofit interventions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Energy Storage and Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Cities)

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19 pages, 5389 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessing Overheating Risks in Moderately Insulated Irish Social Housing: Analysis of Building Energy Ratings and Indoor Temperature Profiles

by Fahimehsadat Sajadirad, Richard O’Hegarty and Oliver Kinnane

Energies 2025, 18(6), 1381; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18061381 - 11 Mar 2025

Viewed by 695

Abstract

As buildings become more energy-efficient in cold climates, the unintended consequence of increased overheating risk during warmer seasons necessitates attention. In this context, there is an absence of research addressing the assessment of overheating risks in residential buildings in Ireland. This study assesses data from a sample of 1100 social housing units in Dublin, the majority of which have a Building Energy Rating (BER) of C, representing moderately insulated dwellings. Using indoor temperature data and outdoor climate reports for 2022, the research evaluates overheating risks based on both static and adaptive criteria in the living room zone of dwellings. The static methods used include the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) Guide A and the Passivhaus Institute standard, while adaptive methods follow CIBSE TM59. The findings reveal discrepancies in overheating risk assessments: overall, 4% surpass thresholds under CIBSE Guide A. In contrast, 41% of dwellings exceeded overheating thresholds under the Passivhaus standard during the May to September 2022. Adaptive criteria, however, indicated minimal overheating instances, at 0.4%. These results highlight how different assessment methodologies influence overheating risk conclusions. The impact of this study is two-fold. First it further strengthens existing literature which questions the appropriateness of static methods. Secondly, it shows that the risk of overheating in moderately insulated buildings in this sample set is minimal. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Energy Storage and Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Cities)

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15 pages, 6737 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Summer Energy Use and Comfort Analysis in Rural Chinese Dwellings: A Case Study of Low-Income Older Populations in Shandong

by Di Yang, Neveen Hamza and Rose Gilroy

Energies 2024, 17(22), 5527; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17225527 - 5 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1000

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the indoor environmental conditions and energy use behaviours of older individuals in rural cold climates of China, with a specific focus on cooling practices during the summer months in the Shandong region. This study employs a mixed-method approach, combining quantitative indoor environmental monitoring with qualitative interviews and observations, to explore the relationship between environmental factors, household living conditions, and energy use patterns across five types of elderly households: three generations living together, older people living with grandchildren, older people living with children, older couples living together, and older people living alone. Data collection was conducted over five weeks during the summer of 2023 using HOBO UX100-003 data loggers, while external weather conditions were monitored by the China Meteorological Administration. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to gain deeper insights into daily cooling behaviours and energy use. The results reveal that cooling practices and indoor environmental conditions vary significantly among the different household types. Multigenerational households showed more complex energy use dynamics, with younger family members frequently operating high-energy appliances like air conditioners, while older individuals tended to rely on natural ventilation and electric fans to reduce energy costs. In contrast, older couples and solitary older individuals demonstrated more conservative cooling behaviours, often enduring higher indoor temperatures due to limited financial resources and a desire to minimize energy expenditures. Despite the high energy use intensity in some households, many homes failed to achieve comfortable indoor environments, particularly in dwellings with minimal insulation and older building materials. This study concludes that economic status, household structure, and building characteristics play crucial roles in shaping cooling behaviours and indoor comfort during the summer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Energy Storage and Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Cities)

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36 pages, 3292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy and Carbon Savings in European Households Resulting from Behavioral Changes

by Barbara Widera

Energies 2024, 17(16), 3888; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17163888 - 7 Aug 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2249

Abstract

The study evaluates the impact of behavioral changes resulting from climate awareness on energy consumption and carbon emissions in European households based on the results of a two-stage survey addressed to individuals manifesting pro-ecological attitudes. In the first stage, the author analyzed 67 pro-environmental behaviors declared by the participants, identified a set of new sustainable choices, and compared them to the conservation habits used in Rasch and Campbell’s models. The 10 most popular initiatives undertaken by over 50% of participants were selected for further analysis. The influence of these initiatives on energy consumption and CO₂ emissions was assessed. A total of 24 impact indicators were identified at the building scale. Energy and carbon savings were calculated for 500 participants from 28 European countries and compared to the results computed for the 100 households used as a reference. The main conclusions from the research concern the significance of individual decisions at the building scale in the context of their actual environmental impact calculated for a larger scale. The comparative analysis showed that the highest annual energy (2292.1 MWh) and emission (267.02 tons of CO₂) savings resulted from the car-to-bicycle (or walking) transition on short-distance trips (declared by 79%) and from the transition from non-renewable to renewable energy sources (PV panels installed by 65% of respondents). Annual energy and emission savings reached, respectively, 1300 MWh and 262.6 tons of CO₂. The research findings help explain the critical importance of transforming the built environment towards renewable energy sources and supporting pedestrian and sustainable transportation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Energy Storage and Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Cities)

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30 pages, 12787 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Comparison of the Carbon Payback Period (CPP) of Different Variants of Insulation Materials and Existing External Walls in Selected European Countries

by Kajetan Sadowski

Energies 2023, 16(1), 113; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010113 - 22 Dec 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3974

Abstract

The EU “Fit for 55” legislative package provides for the introduction of regulations enabling the achievement of the emission reduction target by 55%. As part of the necessary actions, it is necessary to increase the energy efficiency of existing buildings. To achieve this, there are plans to increase the pace of the modernization of buildings, from 1% to 3% of buildings annually by 2030. However, this must be done with respect to the principles of sustainable development, circular economy and the conservation of buildings. This article presents a comprehensive comparison and calculation of carbon payback period (CPP) for selected insulation materials, combined with selected typical building partitions, and shows how quickly the payback period of greenhouse gases in the production of insulation materials is completed. Individual insulation materials (stone and glass wool, expanded polystyrene (EPS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), polyurethane (PUR) and cellulose) were analyzed in relation to different types of walls (seven types—including solid wall, diaphragm wall, large panel system (LPS), and concrete), in different locations (Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Austria, Finland, Europe) and for various energy sources (electricity, gas, oil, biomass, district heating). After taking into account the carbon footprint embodied in the insulation materials, along with the potential reductions in the operational greenhouse gases emissions, the carbon payback period (CPP) was determined, resulting from the use of a given technology, insulation material and location. By comparing the CPPs for different insulations, this paper shows that the results vary significantly between EU countries, which have different embodied carbon factors for energy sources and materials, and that there is still a serious lack in the availability of reliable environmental information, which can limit research results. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research of Energy Storage and Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Cities)

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