Advances in Thermal Performance and Energy Efficiency of Buildings in Various Regions

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change has drastically influenced energy consumption in the building sector. In recent years, special attention has been given to improving building materials such as insulation, phase change, and cool roof materials, and integrating renewable energy systems such as solar, wind, and geothermal for the generation of electricity in building envelopes. The application of PV solar panels and transparent PV windows in building envelopes has grown, while the application of nanofluids and hybrid nanofluids has found impetus in increasing the efficiency of solar systems, e.g., solar collectors. Depending on the geometry, architecture, and local climate of a building, some of these techniques may be effective and inexpensive. However, the application of some of these techniques in buildings may raise some social and environmental issues such as auditory and visual effects for the use of wind turbines, fire safety regulations for the use of flammable insulation or bio-phase change materials, and so on. Other technical aspects such as applicability to life-cycle economy, construction costs, the feasibility of application on existing buildings, speed of installation, government regulation and building codes, and government incentives on energy products are of major concern. 

In some climates, cooling demands are substantial, while in other environments heating demands are very important. Global warming and rapid melting of Earth’s pole ices, increased CO₂ footprints, and urgent demands to utilize and capture CO₂ in the environment have opened up a new era for the capture and utilization of CO₂ within building envelopes. To increase building efficiency, it is necessary to consider the structural, architectural, visual, economic, social, and environmental factors and address the existing and current obstacles, as well as challenges locally and globally. The application of well-designed experiments and highly reliable software packages is essential to improve energy planning and decision making in the building sector.  Therefore, the purpose of this Special Issue, entitled "Advances in Thermal Performance and Energy Efficiency of Buildings in Various Regions", is to expand the study of the development and use of passive and active energy saving systems, with a focus on application of renewable energy sources, and address the pertinent economic, social, and environmental challenges. This Special Issue will publish new contributions in construction related to architectural, engineering, environmental sciences, social and economic analysis, and the impact of energy policies. Its main readership will include researchers and planners at universities, research institutes, industry, government departments, building developers, and policymakers in developing and exploiting buildings’ energy efficiency.

We welcome this Special Issue the submission of original research articles and reviews. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• New materials in residential/office/industrial buildings’ envelope.
• New application of renewable energies in buildings’ architecture.
• Application and capture of CO₂ within buildings’ envelope.
• Application of low-energy lighting and ventilation systems.
• Advances in insulation materials and methods in buildings.
• Advances in application of smart passive materials, e.g., phase change materials, in building envelope.
• Advances in application of smart materials, e.g., hybrid nanofluids, PV windows, in buildings’ energy systems.
• Identifying social, economic, and environmental barriers related to governmental regulations and building developers in building sector.
• Identifying technological barrier on developing zero-energy buildings.
• Feasibility studies to enhance energy efficiency of existing buildings.
• Planning and imposing new regulations and policies in executing essentials in new and under developing buildings.
• Examining impacts of Corona epidemy in social behavior on energy consumption in buildings.
• Strategies for energy efficiency in developing and under developing countries and examining social, economic, and environmental issues.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Ahmad Sedaghat
Prof. Dr. Mamdouh E.H. Assad
Dr. Ali Mostafaeipour
Guest Editors

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