Multi-Disciplinary Analysis of Light Shelves Application within a Student Dormitory Refurbishment
23 Jul 2021-Sustainability (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)-Vol. 13, Iss: 15, pp 8251
TL;DR: A new methodological approach is presented in order to investigate the technology under different fields of interest: daylight, lighting energy, cooling and heating needs, and thermo-hygrometric comfort.
Abstract: The achievement of sustainable cities and communities is closely linked to an accurate design of the buildings. In this context, the transparent elements of the building envelope have a crucial role since, on one hand, they are a bottleneck in regards to heat and mass transfers and sound propagation, while, on the other hand, they must allow daylight penetration. Thus, they are responsible for occupants’ thermal and visual comfort and their health. Considering passive solutions for windows, the light shelves can improve natural light penetration, reducing the lights’ electricity demand and controlling windows’ related thermal aspects. The scientific literature is characterized by several studies that analyze this topic, which, however, focus only on the daylight field and sometimes the energy saving for lights. Moreover, they often refer to fixed sky type for the simulations. The aim of the present study is to analyze the application of the light shelves with a multi-disciplinary approach, by means of dynamic simulations, in the EnergyPlus engine, for a whole year. A new methodological approach is presented in order to investigate the technology under different fields of interest: daylight, lighting energy, cooling and heating needs, and thermo-hygrometric comfort. The case study chosen is an existing building, a student dormitory belonging to the University of Athens. It is subject to a deep energy renovation to conform to the “nearly Zero Energy Building” target, in the frame of a European research project called Pro-GET-onE (G.A No. 723747). By means of the calibrated numerical model of this HVAC–building system, ten different configurations of light shelves have been investigated. The best solution is given by the application of an internal horizontal light shelf placed at 50 cm from the top of the window with a depth of 90 or 60 cm. It has been found that despite the reduction in electricity demand for lighting, the variation in heating and cooling needs does not always lead to a benefit.
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TL;DR: In this article, a computer-aided daylight evaluation in an office room with a light shelf and a dropped translucent ceiling is investigated. And the results show that the use of a light-shelf and translucent ceiling can improve uniformity and reduce glare when the window is covered by an adaptive shading system.
Abstract: The present study investigates the issue of computer-aided daylight evaluation in an office room with a light shelf and dropped translucent ceiling. In this type of room, daylight is admitted from two sources: (i) a standard window in the wall and (ii) via a light shelf and clerestory window, which illuminate the plenum located above the working space. The light from the plenum is transmitted through the translucent ceiling into the office room. The present study is based on data obtained through a computer-aided daylight simulation by DeLuminae (DL-Light, ver. 11.0.9, and DL-Instant, ver. 6.1.4) software using the Radiance engine and real weather data for Wroclaw, Poland, at 51st lat. N. An office room of 12 × 6 m with different shading and daylight distribution scenarios was simulated (Variants 1–5). Next, the useful daylight illuminance (UDI (%)) for the range of 300–3000 lx and daylight glare probability (DGP) were calculated. To further optimize the daylighting scenarios, an adaptive shading system was simulated, which was activated when the illuminance value dropped below 300 lx. In the final variant, Variant 6, mean UDI300–3000 values were recorded to be above 80% for 95% of the area of the work plane. This allows the conclusion that a light shelf and translucent ceiling guide daylight deep into the room, improving uniformity and reducing glare when the standard window is covered by an adaptive shading system.
4 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors conducted a systematic literature review of the research in zero carbon refurbishment (ZCR) for existing buildings and found that research in ZCR is well-established in European countries and there is much interest and activity around the world.
Abstract: The need to mitigate climate change calls for the construction industry to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for new and existing buildings by 2050. Zero carbon refurbishment (ZCR) for existing buildings is a significant area of interest, as many existing buildings will still be there in 2050. This paper investigates the global development, knowledge structure and gaps in the research field by conducting a systematic literature review. The final selection of 147 up-to-date journal articles was analysed using mixed-method data analysis, including quantitative (science mapping) and qualitative (thematic) analysis. Quantitative results reveal evolving research topics including energy performance and efficiency, life cycle environmental impacts, energy resources and policy, and decision-making with multi-objective optimisation. Research in ZCR is well-established in European countries and there is much interest and activity around the world. ZCR research on residential and office buildings provokes much consideration compared to other building types. The qualitative findings discuss the mainstream research areas (e.g. decision-making with multi-objective optimisation), determines research gaps (e.g. carbon impact), and recommends the future research agenda. The study offers academics a comprehensive understanding of ZCR research to link current research areas into future trends. It also provides construction professionals with current practices and an interdisciplinary guide to better deliver ZCR projects.
3 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors investigate the preferred daylighting availability ranges for the best visual and thermal comfort in office workspace through optimal modifications light-shelve parameters, grounded on parametric design and optimization.
Abstract: The study aims to investigate the preferred daylighting availability ranges for the best visual and thermal comfort in office workspace through optimal modifications light-shelve parameters, grounded on parametric design and optimization, with a focus on its visual and thermal indices. To identify the final optimal solutions, single and multi-optimization scenarios were used. The findings revealed that optimizing for a single objective might obstruct the attainment of other goals. In other words, the first scenario, optimization only for daylight availability, results in an increase in temperature. While optimizing for indoor thermal performance solely, none of the preset daylight availability acceptance requirements were met. However, multi-objective optimization solutions were the final optimal solutions nearest to the ideal. Final optimum solutions of the best design parameters of light shelves can improve the total average of daylight availability by 56.25%, 50.63%, 57.50% and 71.88%, and the indoor thermal performance was improved by decreasing the average temperature for thermal environmental performance indicators by 4.15%, 3.27%, 3.17% and 4.76%, respectively, in March, June, September and December. The study concludes that daylighting levels of 500 lux to1300 lux provide the best range of optimal daylighting for visual and thermal comfort indicators for office spaces in the tropics.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors investigate the preferred daylighting availability ranges for the best visual and thermal comfort in office workspace through optimal modifications light-shelve parameters, grounded on parametric design and optimization.
Abstract: The study aims to investigate the preferred daylighting availability ranges for the best visual and thermal comfort in office workspace through optimal modifications light-shelve parameters, grounded on parametric design and optimization, with a focus on its visual and thermal indices. To identify the final optimal solutions, single and multi-optimization scenarios were used. The findings revealed that optimizing for a single objective might obstruct the attainment of other goals. In other words, the first scenario, optimization only for daylight availability, results in an increase in temperature. While optimizing for indoor thermal performance solely, none of the preset daylight availability acceptance requirements were met. However, multi-objective optimization solutions were the final optimal solutions nearest to the ideal. Final optimum solutions of the best design parameters of light shelves can improve the total average of daylight availability by 56.25%, 50.63%, 57.50% and 71.88%, and the indoor thermal performance was improved by decreasing the average temperature for thermal environmental performance indicators by 4.15%, 3.27%, 3.17% and 4.76%, respectively, in March, June, September and December. The study concludes that daylighting levels of 500 lux to1300 lux provide the best range of optimal daylighting for visual and thermal comfort indicators for office spaces in the tropics.
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors used photorealistic simulation and Radiance daylight simulation to compare various types of light shelves across different levels, and found that the combination of tilted light shelves performs better in reflecting daylight into the internal space, with an estimated 34% better performance and a more than 25% reduction in energy usage.
References
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TL;DR: A new digital Koppen-Geiger world map on climate classification, valid for the second half of the 20 th century, based on recent data sets from the Climatic Research Unit of the University of East Anglia and the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre at the German Weather Service.
Abstract: The most frequently used climate classification map is that o f Wladimir Koppen, presented in its latest version 1961 by Rudolf Geiger. A huge number of climate studies and subsequent publications adopted this or a former release of the Koppen-Geiger map. While the climate classification concept has been widely applied to a broad range of topics in climate and climate change research as well as in physical geography, hydrology, agriculture, biology and educational aspects, a well-documented update of the world climate classification map is still missing. Based on recent data sets from the Climatic Research Unit (CRU) of the University of East Anglia and the Global Precipitation Climatology Centre (GPCC) at the German Weather Service, we present here a new digital Koppen-Geiger world map on climate classification, valid for the second half of the 20 th century. Zusammenfassung Die am haufigsten verwendete Klimaklassifikationskarte ist jene von Wladimir Koppen, die in der letzten Auflage von Rudolf Geiger aus dem Jahr 1961 vorliegt. Seither bildeten viele Klimabucher und Fachartikel diese oder eine fruhere Ausgabe der Koppen-Geiger Karte ab. Obwohl das Schema der Klimaklassifikation in vielen Forschungsgebieten wie Klima und Klimaanderung aber auch physikalische Geographie, Hydrologie, Landwirtschaftsforschung, Biologie und Ausbildung zum Einsatz kommt, fehlt bis heute eine gut dokumentierte Aktualisierung der Koppen-Geiger Klimakarte. Basierend auf neuesten Datensatzen des Climatic Research Unit (CRU) der Universitat von East Anglia und des Weltzentrums fur Niederschlagsklimatologie (WZN) am Deutschen Wetterdienst prasentieren wir hier eine neue digitale Koppen-Geiger Weltkarte fur die zweite Halfte des 20. Jahrhunderts.
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TL;DR: In this article, the impacts of window glazing on the energy and daylighting performances of building through the previous researches are revealed and the optimization techniques used by various researchers in choosing a glazing are highlighted.
Abstract: Energy conservation in building arena is essential issue for achieving sustainable environment. However, buildings experienced significant amount of heat gain or loss through window and this will affect the thermal comfort of buildings׳ occupants. Building without window is able to save energy, but it is not recommended due to the benefits of natural light on visual comfort and the biological effect of natural light on humans. Hence, window design plays important role in building architect. One of the essential parts of window is the glazing. Selecting a window glazing is complicated when energy saving and daylighting aspects of a building are considered concurrently. Optimization techniques offer a balance solution for the contradictions in selecting a window glazing of energy-efficient building. This paper intended to reveal the impacts of window glazing on the energy and daylighting performances of building through the previous researches. Then, the optimization techniques used by various researchers in choosing a glazing are highlighted. The emerging glazing technologies were discussed as well.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a review of the capabilities of five widely used building performance simulation (BPS) tools in terms of their ability to model energy and occupant comfort performance of adaptive facades.
Abstract: Adaptive building envelope systems have the potential of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving the energy flexibility of buildings, while maintaining high levels of indoor environmental quality. The development of such innovative materials and technologies, as well as their real-world implementation, can be enhanced with the use of building performance simulation (BPS). Performance prediction of adaptive facades can, however, be a challenging task and the information on this topic is scarce and fragmented. The main contribution of this review article is to bring together and analyse the existing information in this field. In the first part, the unique requirements for successful modelling and simulation of adaptive facades are discussed. In the second part, the capabilities of five widely used BPS tools are reviewed, in terms of their ability to model energy and occupant comfort performance of adaptive facades. Finally, it discusses various ongoing trends and research needs in this field.
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Karlsruhe Institute of Technology1, RWTH Aachen University2, Cardiff University3, University of Toronto4, Technical University of Denmark5, Khalifa University6, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne7, Vienna University of Technology8, Lancaster University9, The Cyprus Institute10, Norwegian University of Science and Technology11, Northwestern University12, Indian Institute of Technology Madras13, University of Southampton14, Northeastern University15, University of Perugia16, Deakin University17, University of British Columbia18
TL;DR: In this article, a review of multi-domain approaches to indoor-environmental perception and behaviour is presented, highlighting motivational backgrounds, key methodologies, and major findings of human perception and behavior in indoor environments.
123 citations