Search Results (155)

To address energy shortages and achieve carbon peaking/neutrality, this study develops a distributed renewable-based integrated energy system (IES) for rural active zero-energy buildings (ZEBs). Energy consumption patterns of typical rural houses are analyzed, guiding the design of a resource-tailored IES that balances economy and sustainability. Key equipment capacities are optimized to achieve net-zero/zero energy consumption targets. For typical daily cooling/heating/power loads, equipment output is scheduled using a dual-objective optimization model minimizing operating costs and CO₂ emissions. Results demonstrate that: (1) Net-zero-energy IES outperforms separated production (SP) and full electrification systems (FES) in economic-environmental benefits; (2) Zero-energy IES significantly reduces rural building carbon emissions. The proposed system offers substantial practical value for China’s rural energy transition. Full article

Owing to the need for continuous improvement in building energy performance standards (BEPSs), facilities must adhere to benchmark performances in their quest to achieve net-zero performance. This research explores machine learning models that leverage historical energy data from a cluster of buildings, along with relevant ambient weather data and building characteristics, with the objective of predicting the buildings’ energy performance through the year 2040. Using the forecasted emission results, the portfolio of buildings is analyzed for the incurred carbon non-compliance fees based on their on-site fossil fuel CO_2e emissions to assess and pinpoint facilities with poor energy performance that need to be prioritized for decarbonization. The forecasts from the machine learning algorithms predicted that the portfolio of buildings would incur an annual average penalty of $31.7 million ($1.09/sq. ft.) and ~$348.7 million ($12.03/sq. ft.) over 11 years. To comply with these regulations, the building portfolio would need to reduce on-site fossil fuel CO_2e emissions by an average of 58,246 metric tons (22.10 kg/sq. ft.) annually, totaling 640,708 metric tons (22.10 kg/sq. ft.) over a period of 11 years. This study demonstrates the potential for robust machine learning models to generate accurate forecasts to evaluate carbon compliance and guide prompt action in decarbonizing the built environment. Full article

Nearly zero-energy buildings (nZEBs) are central to global carbon reduction strategies, and Taiwan is actively promoting their adoption through building energy performance labeling, particularly in the retrofit of existing buildings. Under Taiwan’s nZEB framework, qualification requires both an A⁺ energy performance label and over 50% energy savings from retrofit technologies. This study proposes an integrated assessment framework for retrofitting small- to medium-sized office buildings into nZEBs, incorporating diagnostics, technical evaluation, policy alignment, and resource integration. A case study of a bank branch in Kaohsiung involved on-site energy monitoring and EnergyPlus V22.2 simulations to calibrate and assess the retrofit impacts. Lighting improvements and two HVAC scenarios—upgrading the existing fan coil unit (FCU) system and adopting a completely new variable refrigerant flow (VRF) system—were evaluated. The FCU and VRF scenarios reduced the energy use intensity from 141.3 to 82.9 and 72.9 kWh/m²·yr, respectively. Combined with rooftop photovoltaics and green power procurement, both scenarios met Taiwan’s nZEB criteria. The proposed framework demonstrates practical and scalable strategies for decarbonizing existing office buildings, supporting Taiwan’s 2050 net-zero target. Full article

The construction sector presently consumes about 40% of global energy and generates 36% of CO₂ emissions, making facade retrofits a priority for decarbonising buildings. This review clarifies how ventilated facades (VFs), wall assemblies that interpose a ventilated air cavity between outer cladding and the insulated structure, address that challenge. First, the paper categorises VFs by structural configuration, ventilation strategy and functional control into four principal families: double-skin, rainscreen, hybrid/adaptive and active–passive systems, with further extensions such as BIPV, PCM and green-wall integrations that couple energy generation or storage with envelope performance. Heat-transfer analysis shows that the cavity interrupts conductive paths, promotes buoyancy- or wind-driven convection, and curtails radiative exchange. Key design parameters, including cavity depth, vent-area ratio, airflow velocity and surface emissivity, govern this balance, while hybrid ventilation offers the most excellent peak-load mitigation with modest energy input. A synthesis of simulation and field studies indicates that properly detailed VFs reduce envelope cooling loads by 20–55% across diverse climates and cut winter heating demand by 10–20% when vents are seasonally managed or coupled with heat-recovery devices. These thermal benefits translate into steadier interior surface temperatures, lower radiant asymmetry and fewer drafts, thereby expanding the hours occupants remain within comfort bands without mechanical conditioning. Climate-responsive guidance emerges in tropical and arid regions, favouring highly ventilated, low-absorptance cladding; temperate and continental zones gain from adaptive vents, movable insulation or PCM layers; multi-skin adaptive facades promise balanced year-round savings by re-configuring in real time. Overall, the review demonstrates that VFs constitute a versatile, passive-plus platform for low-carbon buildings, simultaneously enhancing energy efficiency, durability and indoor comfort. Future advances in smart controls, bio-based materials and integrated energy-recovery systems are poised to unlock further performance gains and accelerate the sector’s transition to net-zero. Emerging multifunctional materials such as phase-change composites, nanostructured coatings, and perovskite-integrated systems also show promise in enhancing facade adaptability and energy responsiveness. Full article

As the population increases, the growing demand for residential housing escalates construction activities, significantly impacting global warming by contributing 42% of primary energy use and 39% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This study addresses a gap in research on lifecycle assessment (LCA) for Indian residential buildings by evaluating the full cradle-to-grave carbon footprint of a typical single-family house in Northern India. A BIM-based LCA framework was applied to a 110 m² single-family dwelling over a 60-year life span. Operational use performance and climate analysis was evaluated via cove tool. The total carbon footprint over a 60-year lifespan was approximately 5884 kg CO₂e, with operational energy use accounting for about 87% and embodied carbon approximately 11%. Additional impacts came from maintenance and replacements. Energy usage was calculated as 71.76 kWh/m²/year and water usage as 232.2 m³/year. Energy consumption was the biggest driver of emissions, but substantial impacts also stemmed from material production. Cement-based components and steel were the largest embodied carbon contributors. Under the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, the operational emissions reach approximately 668,000 kg CO₂e with HVAC and 482,000 kg CO₂e without HVAC. The findings highlight the necessity of integrating embodied carbon considerations alongside operational energy efficiency in India’s building codes, emphasizing reductions in energy consumption and the adoption of low-carbon materials to mitigate the environmental impact of residential buildings. Future work should focus on the dynamic modeling of electricity decarbonization, improved regional datasets, and scenario-based LCA to better support India’s transition to net-zero emissions by 2070. Full article

Buildings account for about a third of global energy and it is thus imperative to eliminate the use of fossil fuels to power and provide for their thermal needs. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology can provide power and with electrification, heating/cooling, but there is often a load mismatch with the intermittent solar supply. Electric batteries can overcome this challenge at high solar penetration rates but are still capital-intensive. A promising solution is thermal energy storage (TES), which has a low cost per unit of energy. This review provides an in-depth analysis of TES but specifically focuses on phase change material (PCM)-based TES, and its significance in the building sector. The classification, characterization, properties, applications, challenges, and modeling of PCM-TES are detailed. Finally, the potential for integrating TES with PV and heat pump (HP) technologies to decarbonize the residential sector is detailed. Although many studies show proof of carbon reduction for the individual and coupled systems, the integration of PV+HP+PCM-TES systems as a whole unit has not been developed to achieve carbon neutrality and facilitate net zero emission goals. Overall, there is still a lack of available literature and experimental datasets for these complex systems which are needed to develop models for global implementation as well as studies to quantify their economic and environmental performance. Full article

This study investigates factors influencing net-zero building (NZB) adoption in the South African commercial property sector through a qualitative analysis of four case studies, with a net-zero carbon building focus. Findings indicate that while green building certifications have exceeded 1000 since 2009, NZB adoption remains limited (64 certifications as of 2024). Key barriers include retrofit cost premiums (20–30%), technical capacity gaps, and insufficient policy frameworks. Primary drivers comprise demonstrated energy efficiency gains (15–25% reductions), tenant demand for sustainable properties, and institutional support through certification programs. This research contributes an empirical model identifying transitional “Amber Zone” factors, including energy security concerns and renewable energy returns on investment, which mediate between barriers and drivers. Case evidence shows NZB implementation can be achieved within existing budgets through integrated design approaches. These findings provide a structured framework for understanding NZB adoption dynamics in emerging markets facing similar energy and sustainability challenges. Full article

The automotive industry faces urgent pressures to transition to carbon-neutral operations amid evolving policies, shifting consumer demands, and stringent environmental regulations. This study examines how implementing the EFQM Model 2020 can drive sustainability-oriented transformation in a leading European automotive plant. Over a two-year period (November 2021–December 2023), the company reduced CO₂ emissions by 17%, decreased water usage by 9.3%, and elevated recycling rates from 93.3% in FY19 to 98.1% in FY23. Although these improvements demonstrate the EFQM Model’s effectiveness in integrating economic, social, and environmental objectives, further progress toward net zero remains challenging due to diminishing returns on efficiency. Sustaining momentum will require continuous innovation such as passive building designs and on-site renewable energy generation supported by robust stakeholder engagement and compliance with evolving ESG reporting standards. These findings affirm the value of the holistic management framework for operational excellence and environmental stewardship, providing a replicable pathway toward carbon neutrality in resource-intensive industries. Full article

The deficiency in competencies among built environment professionals (BEPs) in achieving sustainability goals presents a significant challenge, contributing substantially to the escalation of carbon emissions globally, with pronounced implications in Ghana. Addressing this issue is critical to bridging the existing knowledge gap concerning the role of key professional competencies in mitigating carbon emissions. This study, therefore, seeks to examine and synthesize the essential competencies required by BEPs to support the attainment of net-zero carbon emissions within the Ghanaian construction industry (GCI). A quantitative research approach was employed, utilizing a structured questionnaire survey to examine the opinions of 125 professionals, including architects, engineers, and construction managers. The questions were developed based on a review of the related literature. The data collected was analyzed using one-sample t-tests, multiple linear regression, and ANOVA to assess the significance and impact of the identified competencies on sustainability outcomes. The key competencies identified included “value engineering”, “stakeholder engagement for low-carbon development”, “circular impact assessment”, and “reverse logistics for sustainable material use”. This research also revealed the key competencies’ contributions to attaining environmental sustainability in the Ghanaian construction industry. Some key outcomes are “proper planning and provision of detailed net-zero carbon building specifications for contractors” and “promotion and implementation of net-zero carbon buildings”. It was identified that actions towards net-zero carbon emissions are the leading contributor to environmental sustainability, whereas the essential competencies have a greater impact on sustainable resource use. The findings highlight gaps in the current practices and underscore the need for improved professional training and development to meet sustainability goals. This study concludes that while professionals in the GCI are aware of sustainability objectives, significant improvements are needed in the application of sustainable practices. Full article

This study presents an integrated methodology to assess and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in institutional buildings by combining organizational carbon footprint (CFO) analysis with rooftop photovoltaic (PV) system simulation. The HM Building at King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang (KMITL), Thailand, was selected as a case study to evaluate carbon emissions and the feasibility of solar-based mitigation strategies. The CFO assessment, conducted in accordance with ISO 14064-1:2018 and the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization (TGO) guidelines, identified total emissions of 1841.04 tCO₂e/year, with Scope 2 electricity-related emissions accounting for 442.00 tCO₂e/year. Appliance-level audits revealed that classroom activities represent 36.7% of the building’s electricity demand. These findings were validated using utility data totaling 850,000 kWh/year. A rooftop PV system with a capacity of 207 kWp was simulated using PVsyst software (version 7.1), incorporating site-specific solar irradiance and technical loss parameters. Monocrystalline modules produced the highest energy output of 292,000 kWh/year, capable of offsetting 151.84 tCO₂e/year, equivalent to 34.4% of Scope 2 emissions. Economic evaluation indicated a 7.4-year payback period, with a net present value (NPV) of THB 12.49 million and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 12.79%. The integration of verified CFO data with empirical load modeling and derated PV performance projections provides a robust, scalable framework for institutional carbon mitigation. This approach supports data-driven Net Zero campus planning aligned with Thailand’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and carbon neutrality policies. Full article

Confronted with the climate emergency, reducing CO₂ emissions has become a priority for all nations of the world because the follow-up of humanity depends on it. Most European Union (EU) member states have pledged to cut their net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 and reach full carbon neutrality by 2050, using 1990 as the baseline year. Despite this common effort, there is still a lack of effective decision-making on carbon neutrality strategies applied throughout the life cycle of a building in all EU countries. A common strategy is proposed in this study to fill this gap in the literature. The building sector is a real lever for reducing the carbon footprint and saving energy. Currently, the methodology for achieving large-scale carbon neutrality is well established. However, there is only a limited number of experts worldwide who have mastered this technology, making it challenging to develop a standardized approach for all nations. The absence of extensive, regular, and consistent data on carbon emissions has considerably hindered the understanding of the root causes of climate change at both the building and neighborhood levels. Is it not it time to break this barrier? With this in mind, this study was carried out with the intention of proposing a common method to achieve carbon neutrality at the neighborhood scale in European Union countries. The most significant parameters having a direct impact on carbon emissions have facilitated the adaptation of the three types of neighborhood in the different capitals of the EU countries, in particular, local building materials, microclimate, the energy mix of each country, and the mode of daily transport. The life cycle assessment of the three districts was conducted using the Plaides LCAv6.25.3 tool in combination with Meteonorm software version 8.2.0, considering a 100-year lifespan for the buildings. In addition, the cost of the various environmental impacts is assessed based on the monetary indicators for European Committee for Standardization indicators method. The main results showed that the distribution of carbon dioxide is 73.3% higher in urban areas than in sustainable neighborhoods and 39.0% higher in urban districts than in rural districts. Nearly zero emissions in the next decade are again possible by applying the scenario involves global warming combined with the complete (100%) renovation of all buildings and the transition to 100% electric vehicles along with the use of solar panels. This strategy makes it possible to reduce between 90.1% and 99.9% of the emission rate in residential districts regarding EU countries. Full article

To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the realization of Net-Zero-Energy Buildings (ZEBs) and the proper design of heat source equipment capacity are essential. Consequently, numerous studies have been conducted to prevent overdesign. However, most previous studies have analyzed the factors influencing heat source equipment capacity as independent and isolated variables. In actual design practice, however, factors interact in complex and interdependent ways, yet few studies have considered the interrelationships among these factors or conducted a structural and comprehensive analysis of their influence on heat source equipment capacity. Therefore, this study aims to quantitatively model the influence structure between design factors and heat source equipment capacity using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), focusing on office buildings with a central heat source system in warm regions of Japan. This research offers a novel perspective not found in previous studies by structurally and comprehensively analyzing the relationship between design factors and heat source equipment capacity, examining the interactions between the factors and their impact on equipment capacity in stages. As a result, by modeling the influence structure, it was confirmed that the diversity factor, handling of internal heat gain, and appropriate design based on actual building usage, such as internal heat gain and the safety factor, are effective for optimizing heat source equipment capacity. Moreover, the result also confirmed that industry, company size, building scale, building use, and software influence the above design factors. This study is a case study that focuses on the maximum heat load calculation in mechanical equipment design and attempts to model the influence of design factors and heat source equipment capacity. However, it is expected that future studies using the same methodology as this study and incorporating additional factors not discussed in this study, and expanding across various regions, will provide a valuable and effective approach to optimizing heat source equipment capacity. Full article

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems contribute a considerable share of total global energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, putting them at the heart of the issues of decarbonization and removing barriers to achieving net-zero emissions and sustainable development goals. Nevertheless, the effective implementation of artificial intelligence (AI)-based methods to optimize energy efficiency while ensuring occupant comfort in multifarious settings remains to be fully realized. This paper provides a systematic review of state-of-the-art practices (2018 and later) using AI algorithms like machine learning (ML), deep learning (DL), and other computation-based techniques that have been deployed to boost HVAC system performance. The review highlights that AI-driven control strategies can reduce energy consumption by up to 40% by dynamically adapting to environmental conditions and occupancy levels. Compared to other work that focuses on single aspects of HVAC management, this work deals with the methods of control and maintenance in a comprehensive manner. Rather than focusing on abstract applications of machine learning models, this study underlines their applicability in HVAC systems, bridging the science–practice gap. This study highlights the prospective role AI could play, on the one hand, by enhancing HVAC systems’ incorporation, energy consumption, and building technologies, while, on the other hand, also addressing the potential uses AI can have in practical applications in the future, bridging gaps and addressing challenges. Full article

The urgent global mandate to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2030 has accelerated innovation in sustainable construction materials, particularly natural insulation solutions. This study addresses persistent challenges such as complex production processes, non-compostable components, and limited adherence to industry standards by developing and evaluating a novel slim insulation panel made from agricultural waste, specifically wheat straw. Targeted at retrofitting Grade 2 listed dwellings in the UK—where external modifications are restricted—the panels combine simplicity, full compostability, and conformity with regulatory benchmarks. Prototypes were fabricated using wheat straw and two compostable binders, tested for thermal performance, moisture stability, and biodegradability using an innovative Actual Wall Replication Method (AWRM) to mimic real-world conditions. The findings demonstrated superior thermal conductivity and durability, with panels achieving significant energy-saving potential without compromising heritage integrity. The work highlights wheat straw’s viability as an eco-friendly insulation material and accentuates the necessity of realistic testing for accurate performance assessment. This study offers a replicable framework for integrating circular economy principles into heritage retrofitting, bridging the gap between ambitious environmental targets and historic building preservation, thereby contributing to broader sustainable development goals. Full article

This study explored the role of zeolite and AI-driven initiatives in sustainable construction, particularly for net-zero and climate-adaptive buildings. A quantitative, scientometric, and narrative review was conducted using bibliometric analysis of existing publications from the Scopus and Web of Science databases to identify research trends, key contributions, and technological advancements. The findings revealed that zeolite enhances construction materials by improving thermal regulation, air purification, and carbon capture, while AI optimises energy efficiency, predictive maintenance, and material performance. A cost–benefit analysis showed that integrating zeolite and AI in construction materials reduces long-term energy costs and enhances building sustainability. Comparisons with previous studies highlighted the increasing adoption of these technologies due to their environmental and economic benefits. This study concluded that the combination of zeolite and AI provides innovative solutions for green construction, offering energy-efficient, climate-resilient, and cost-effective building materials. Full article