Novel Methodology toward Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) Renovation: Cost-Effective Balance Approach as a Pre-Step to Cost-Optimal Life Cycle Cost Assessment
30 Apr 2021-Applied Sciences (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)-Vol. 11, Iss: 9, pp 4141
TL;DR: A methodology for the evaluation of renovation measures, aiming to provide decision support related to the selection of what to renovate and to what extent is proposed, by means of a simplified cost-effective parameter (CEP), linking cost, lifetime, and energy savings.
Abstract: Reaching environmental targets set by the European Union (EU) requires a constant renovation of the existing building stock to nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) in a cost-optimal manner. Studies show that the renovation rate of the existing building stock is more than two times less than what is necessary to reach the targets. Furthermore, the majority of performed renovations across the EU reach just a small amount of energy savings, whereas NZEB renovations are rarely achieved. This paper proposes a methodology for the evaluation of renovation measures, aiming to provide decision support related to the selection of what to renovate and to what extent. The proposed method is rooted in the well-established cost-optimal methodology, yet it suggests a pre-step to package evaluation. This is done by means of a simplified cost-effective parameter (CEP), linking cost, lifetime, and energy savings. The methodology is demonstrated using a case study building in Denmark. The results show that the CEP provides good grounds for the compilation of single actions to packages. Further developments could focus on the sensitivity of the model inputs and integration of additional evaluation parameters to cost, such as environmental, architectural, comfort, risk, etc.
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TL;DR: In this paper , the authors report the recent developments in the building sector, district heating and cooling (DHC) field, and geothermal technology are reported, which indicate the trends and efforts to more sustainable and climate-friendly HVAC supply systems and may provide guidance for policymakers and decision-makers.
Abstract: Recent developments in the building sector, district heating and cooling (DHC) field, and geothermal technology are reported here, which indicate the trends and efforts to more sustainable and climate-friendly heating and cooling supply systems and may provide guidance for policymakers and decision-makers. The tendency towards lower temperatures in district heating networks and higher building envelope requirements are identified. Meanwhile, technologies have been developed in the geothermal sector to reach deeper subsurface layers and to extract heat with higher temperature. To follow the progress in the building sector and DHC, multi-faceted geothermal systems are considered here, which include components of deep, medium-deep and shallow geothermal resources. Because different temperatures occur at different depths, such a system can be used for different generations of DHC and buildings. This concept may be a part of an energy hub, and can help facilitate transformation from fossil fuel-based DHC to geothermal-based DHC. The concept of multi-faceted geothermal system is presented, its SWOT analysis is performed and further research directions are identified. • Overview of building sector, district heating and cooling, and geothermal systems. • Geothermal energy systems at different depths targeted for different energy demands. • Multi-faceted geothermal system as a part of energy hub. • SWOT analysis of multi-faceted geothermal system. • Complex, integrated concepts are vital for a sustainable energy transition.
28 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyse the existing knowledge of circular economy applied to construction and demolition waste, using a double integrated analysis, a systematic literature review and a bibliometric analysis, which offers a complete approach to the field and evaluates the most cited and productive authors and subject areas related to this discipline.
Abstract: The circular economy (CE) concept applied to construction and demolition waste (CDW) is a developing field of research that entails a large amount of complex and disjointed information; thus, a comprehensive review of scientific contributions could provide a completed perspective. This article aims to analyse the existing knowledge of CE research applied to CDW, using a double integrated analysis, a systematic literature review and a bibliometric analysis. For this purpose, Science Mapping Analysis Tool (SciMAT), a software for the analysis of performance indicators and visualisations of scientific maps, has been used, which offers a complete approach to the field and evaluates the most cited and productive authors and subject areas related to this discipline. The results obtained from the 1440 bibliographic records from 1993 to 2020 show a still-developing scientific field, evolving from concerns about economic aspects to the most recent progresses in the evaluation of sustainable deconstruction. This work will contribute to the existing body of knowledge by establishing connections, mapping networks of researchers and recommending new trends.
14 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors made a life cycle assessment to evaluate an energy retrofit project of Villa Vannucchi, an historic building located in San Giorgio a Cremano (Naples), and found that the use of hemp material, for walls' thermal insulation, significantly reduced the percentage of environmental impacts in the entire material life cycle.
Abstract: The built environment sector is one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions and resource depletion that contributes to the climate change crisis. The European Commission, in the “Green New Deal”, highlights that the sustainable regeneration/requalification of existing buildings plays a fundamental role to maximize the objective of decarbonization and resource conservation for 2050. The aim of this study was to understand how historic buildings’ energy retrofit projects can contribute to achieve this goal. In this study, we made a life cycle assessment to evaluate an energy retrofit project of Villa Vannucchi, an historic building located in San Giorgio a Cremano (Naples). The results of this application showed that the use of hemp material, for walls’ thermal insulation, significantly reduces the percentage of environmental impacts in the entire material life cycle (compared with traditional materials). This was because the plant removes a significant percentage of CO2 already from the atmosphere when it is growing. In conclusion, the assessment of different design scenarios that promote the use of innovative technologies and materials can be of high utility to designers to compare and choose efficient solutions for the sustainable/circular renovation of historic buildings.
5 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors evaluate the life cycle costs and energy performance of different heating and ventilation systems (HVAC) in deep-energy renovation of Norwegian detached houses, using two case buildings, with different performance levels for the building envelope.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the life-cycle costs (LCC) and energy performance of different heating and ventilation systems (HVAC) in deep-energy renovation of Norwegian detached houses. Eight different HVAC combinations based on heat pumps are compared using two case buildings, with different performance levels for the building envelope. The case buildings are small wooden dwellings without a hydronic heating system, which is representative of existing Norwegian detached houses. The insulation level had only a limited effect on the relative performance of the various HVAC combinations. Many solutions with medium and higher investments have a payback time close to the technical lifetime. Uncertainty regarding investment costs is important and affects the relative performance between HVAC combinations. Electricity prices also have a decisive influence on the relative performance. Solutions with lower investment costs often lead to low total costs but higher energy use. However, solutions with medium investment cost lead to a significant reduction in energy use and only a minor increase in total costs. Improving the cost-effectiveness of these technologies (reduced investment costs, grants, increased electricity price) would unlock large energy-saving potential. The lack of hydronic distribution systems in existing Norwegian buildings is a barrier to implementing air-to-water and ground-source heat pumps. For the investigated cases, the current government subsidies in Norway do not seem large enough to make investments in deep-energy renovation profitable.
2 citations
TL;DR: In this article , a building energy model is simulated with the Energy Plus dynamic calculation engine for assessing the generic district of the Italian case study, representing the residential stock from 1960 to 1980, placed in two prevailing space-heating dominated climates; then, a cost-effectiveness evaluation of each scenario is conducted to support stakeholders' decision making.
Abstract: District level approaches for the renovation of the building stock boost the implementation of energy efficiency measures (EEMs), taking advantage of the economies of scale. International Energy Agency Annex 75 aims to assess the cost-effectiveness of renovation strategies at the district level, combining EEMs and renewable energy sources. For this goal, a building energy model is simulated with the Energy Plus dynamic calculation engine for assessing the generic district of the Italian case study, representing the residential stock from 1960 to 1980, placed in two prevailing space-heating dominated climates; then, a cost-effectiveness evaluation of each scenario is conducted to support stakeholders’ decision making. In particular, envelope insulation is cost-effective only in northern zones, while new decentralized thermal systems are not convenient in any case with current envelopes. Once the envelopes are insulated, decentralized low-temperature air-to-water heat pumps with PV can cover all of the buildings’ energy needs, even implying a small increase in annual costs. The switch to district net scenarios is cost-effective only if coupled with PV. A rise in energy prices brings PV-based strategies under a 10-year PBT, except for solar thermal DH in northern areas, as well as non-PV-based options such as low-temperature HPs or biomass-fuelled DH in warmer and colder zones, respectively.
2 citations
References
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide a systematic approach to proper selection and identification of the best retrofit options for existing buildings and provide a better understanding of how to effectively conduct a building retrofit to promote energy conservation and sustainability.
982 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a comparison of energy dynamic and quasi-dynamic models with data from smart monitoring systems, indoor and outdoor environment measurements, power consumption and production data is performed to explore the performance gap between energy efficiency prediction in the design phase and measurements' evaluation in operational phase.
88 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors presented cost-optimal energy performance improving measures conducted in deep renovations of typical Finnish (cold climate) brick apartment buildings, built in the 1960's, discussed the effects of different renovation measures on the energy performance and economic viability in a selected building.
71 citations
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01 Oct 2017
TL;DR: In order to mitigate climate changes induced by human action, the European Union agreed a long term goal of reducing, up to 2050, the carbon emissions to 80 to 95% of the values of 1990 values.
Abstract: In order to mitigate climate changes induced by human action, the European Union
settled a long term goal of reducing, up to 2050, the carbon emissions to 80 to 95% of
1990 values. At the level of the built environment it is expected to reduce carbon emissions
to about 90% of the values of 1990 in that period.
In order to promote this achievement, EU established the �nearly-zero energy�
buildings concept that emerged in the context of the EPBD recast. This directive
determines that by 31 December 2020, all new buildings must be nearly zero-energy
buildings and all member states must develop policies and take measures to stimulate the
transformation of the building stock also into nearly zero-energy buildings.
In the actual context, this is a major challenge since there isn�t yet enough knowhow
to do it and the existing standards and regulations regarding energy consumption are
mainly focused on new buildings and do not respond effectively to the numerous
constraints of the existing ones. It is then urgent to develop new renovation approaches
that take into consideration the characteristics and limitations of existing buildings as well
as to develop tools and good-practices guides, hold on appropriate, applicable and cost
effective technologies, to support the different decision makers involved in this sector.
The great challenge is to find sustainable ways of renovate in a cost-effective and
massive way the huge and high energy consumer building stock.
70 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented a case study of an environmental efficient methodology for energy retrofitting of the Atika building, a demonstrative energy-efficient building, based on the methodology developed by Active House, a holistic vision for sustainable buildings labeling.
70 citations