Ventilation systems are one of the most effective strategies to reduce the risk of viral infection transmission in buildings. However, insufficient ventilation rates in crowded spaces, such as schools, would lead to high risks of... more
Ventilation systems are one of the most effective strategies to reduce the risk of viral infection transmission in buildings. However, insufficient ventilation rates in crowded spaces, such as schools, would lead to high risks of infection transmission. On the other hand, excessive ventilation rates might significantly increase cooling energy consumption. Therefore, energy-efficient control methods, such as Demand Control Ventilation systems (DCV), are typically considered to maintain acceptable indoor air quality. However, it is unclear if the DCV-based controls can supply adequate ventilation rates to minimize the probability of infection (POI) in indoor spaces. This paper investigates the benefits of optimized ventilation strategies, including conventional mechanical systems (MV) and DCV, in reducing the POI and cooling energy consumption through a detailed sensitivity analysis. The study also evaluates the impact of the ventilation rate, social distancing, and number of infector...
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Although the energy and cost benefits for retrofitting existing buildings are promising, several challenges remain for accurate measurement and verification (M&V) analysis to estimate these benefits. Due to the rapid development in... more
Although the energy and cost benefits for retrofitting existing buildings are promising, several challenges remain for accurate measurement and verification (M&V) analysis to estimate these benefits. Due to the rapid development in advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), data-driven approaches are becoming more effective than deterministic methods in developing baseline energy models for existing buildings using historical energy consumption data. The literature review presented in this paper provides an extensive summary of data-driven approaches suitable for building energy consumption prediction needed for M&V applications. The presented literature review describes commonly used data-driven modeling approaches including linear regressions, decision trees, ensemble methods, support vector machine, deep learning, and kernel regressions. The advantages and limitations of each data-driven modeling approach and its variants are discussed, including their cited applications. Additional...
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This paper describes an optimization-based approach to evaluate measures providing peak electricity demand reduction cost benefits for Saudi residential buildings. These measures can be categorized as energy efficiency (EE) and renewable... more
This paper describes an optimization-based approach to evaluate measures providing peak electricity demand reduction cost benefits for Saudi residential buildings. These measures can be categorized as energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy (RE) measures. Specifically, this paper models the existing Saudi building stock using 56 housing prototypes based on types, vintages and locations.
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The pandemic of Coronavirus Disease or COVID19 has disrupted all aspects of our lives in many ways since it was first detected in the early part of the year 2020; personal and professional lives were impacted including workplaces,... more
The pandemic of Coronavirus Disease or COVID19 has disrupted all aspects of our lives in many ways since it was first detected in the early part of the year 2020; personal and professional lives were impacted including workplaces, learning environments, businesses, commerce, and industry. The global toll of impacted people has been higher than many anticipated, with more than 100 M confirmed infections as of this issue and more than 2.5 M of confirmed casualties [1]. To a large degree, buildings are at the center of the pandemic in terms of spread and its control. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) virus spreads rapidly from person to person as the main contamination source presenting major challenges for human socializations and interactions, which occur mostly in indoor environments. Thus, indoor environments are a potential opportunity to reduce infection or to increase risk, if not properly ventilated. At the center of indoor environments are mechan...
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An unprecedented infrastructure investment boom occurred in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the first part of the 21st century. Strong public capital spending supported by high energy prices provided governments with an opportunity... more
An unprecedented infrastructure investment boom occurred in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in the first part of the 21st century. Strong public capital spending supported by high energy prices provided governments with an opportunity to accelerate economic diversification and infrastructure investment, lifting economic growth and per capita incomes. The 2014 collapse in oil prices created an added impetus for a transition to a more sustainable growth model less dependent on volatile energy markets. Here we make the case for a greater focus on energy productive investment to drive this transition.
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This paper describes the development of the Residential Energy Model (REEM) for Saudi Arabia using an engineering bottom-up approach. The model can assess energy demand for the current residential building stock and the impact of energy... more
This paper describes the development of the Residential Energy Model (REEM) for Saudi Arabia using an engineering bottom-up approach. The model can assess energy demand for the current residential building stock and the impact of energy efficiency and demand-side management programs. It accounts for the makeup and features of the Kingdom’s existing housing stock using 54 prototypes of residential buildings defined by three building types, three vintages, and six locations representing different climatic zones.
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This paper reviews and assesses the impacts and the benefits of energy efficiency measures on total energy consumption, electrical peak demand, and carbon dioxide emissions specific to commercial buildings for six countries part of the... more
This paper reviews and assesses the impacts and the benefits of energy efficiency measures on total energy consumption, electrical peak demand, and carbon dioxide emissions specific to commercial buildings for six countries part of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). In particular, optimal performance of a prototypical commercial building is analyzed in each of the GCC countries including Bahrain, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Specifically, a series of parametric and sensitivity analyses is performed to investigate the potential savings from a set of energy efficiency measures for each GCC country. In addition, an optimization using life-cycle cost analysis is developed in order to select feasible energy efficiency measures as design alternatives to enhance the energy performance of commercial buildings in the GCC region. The optimized design alternatives for office buildings in all six countries in the GCC region resulted in annual ener...
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This paper presents frequency response analysis of transfer functions relating indoor and outdoor temperatures (as the input signals) to heat flow through the building envelope (as the output signals). The frequency-domain solutions for... more
This paper presents frequency response analysis of transfer functions relating indoor and outdoor temperatures (as the input signals) to heat flow through the building envelope (as the output signals). The frequency-domain solutions for foundation heat transfer are provided for both slab-on-grade floors and basements. The spectral analysis is then conducted using Bode and Nyquist diagrams to depict the variation of the magnitude and phase lag of the frequency domain transfer functions. In particular, the spectral sensitivity of building foundation response to periodic cycles, such as annual and diurnal cycles, is investigated.
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Abstract Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) applications, such as vertical farms and plant factories, have the potential to shift food production to be close to urban centers helping meet demands of large populations as well as... more
Abstract Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) applications, such as vertical farms and plant factories, have the potential to shift food production to be close to urban centers helping meet demands of large populations as well as achieving global climate goals. Growing crops in controlled environments has proven to be feasible for several applications, however, most involve energy intensive processes. The review analysis presented in this paper seeks to overview current CEA practices as well as potential energy efficiency technologies that can enhance the sustainability and the profitability of the indoor farming industry. Specifically, the paper reviews various CEA techniques, optimal indoor growing environments, successful case studies, and recommended energy systems research. The review analysis indicates that changes to a facility's envelope, HVAC, lighting, and incorporation of distributed generation technology can reduce consumption of electricity up to 75% in several CEA case studies. Future research into controls, dehumidification, lighting, and crop variety are vital for a wider adoption of CEA applications.
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To meet the increasing energy demand and to shave the peak, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is currently planning to invest more on renewable energy (RE) seeking diversity of energy resources. Through the integration of demand-side... more
To meet the increasing energy demand and to shave the peak, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) is currently planning to invest more on renewable energy (RE) seeking diversity of energy resources. Through the integration of demand-side management measures and renewable energy distributed generation (DG) systems, the study outlined in this paper aims at investigating the potential of hybrid renewable energy systems in supplying energy demands for residential communities in an oil-rich country. The residential community considered in this study, located in the eastern region of KSA, has an annual electrical usage of 1174 GWh and an electrical peak load of 335 MW that are met solely by the grid. The results of the analyses indicated that the implementation of cost-effective energy efficiency measures (EEMs) reduced the electricity usage by 38% and peak demand by 51% as well as CO2 emissions by 38%. Although the analysis of the hybrid systems showed that purchasing electricity from the gr...
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ABSTRACT This paper summarizes the findings from a study that has been conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind in combination with the conventional power system; diesel systems in an... more
ABSTRACT This paper summarizes the findings from a study that has been conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using renewable energy sources such as solar and wind in combination with the conventional power system; diesel systems in an isolated island of Masirah in Oman. The study has been conducted to determine the best sustainable generation system to meet the electrical load requirements for a small community of 500 residential buildings. A series of a simulation analyses have carried out to assess different distribution technologies including photovoltaics, wind and diesel for electrical generation in combination with storage batteries. It was found that the cost of energy could be reduced by as much as 48% compared to the cost under the idealized design currently used in the Masirah Island (i.e. Diesel Driven Generators). In particular, it was found that wind turbines in combination with storage batteries have a great impact in reducing the cost of generating electrical energy for the residential community. Moreover, solar PV panels were found unattractive at the current diesel price rates but could potentially become viable if the diesel prices increase. The paper outlines an optimal design for generating electricity for the community at lowest cost while minimizing carbon emissions. Other two options are also proposed to ensure a neutral carbon emission community with a cost of energy generation still more competitive than that of the currently used diesel generation system.
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Buildings of the future are expected to not only be energy efficient but also able to offer grid services through implementation of demand-side management strategies by utilizing existing and new technologies that enhance electrical load... more
Buildings of the future are expected to not only be energy efficient but also able to offer grid services through implementation of demand-side management strategies by utilizing existing and new technologies that enhance electrical load flexibility. With the high penetration of variable renewables, grid operators have to balance between variable supply with controllable and adaptable demand. This article reviews the current literature on grid-interactive efficient buildings (GEBs) that can provide grid services. In particular, the review identifies categories and examples of measures and technologies that are suitable for GEBs using various criteria. These criteria include demand-side management strategies, potential to provide grid services, technology maturity, as well as ability to model the technologies to perform detailed analyses and assessments in whole-building simulation software.
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In this paper, the energy performance of dynamic instead of static shading devices is investigated for prototypical US office spaces. Specifically, six dynamic shading systems are considered to assess their ability to reduce heating and... more
In this paper, the energy performance of dynamic instead of static shading devices is investigated for prototypical US office spaces. Specifically, six dynamic shading systems are considered to assess their ability to reduce heating and cooling thermal loads, total building energy use, and electrical peak demand. The most promising dynamic shading is the rotating overhang and is evaluated further using a wide range of design and operation conditions. It is found that rotating overhangs can provide effective and easily controllable dynamic shading systems for windows to reduce the energy consumption of US office buildings by up to 39% especially for mild US climates. Moreover, the rotating overhangs have the added benefit to support PV panels for on-site electricity generation. A series of sensitivity analysis results indicate that the performance of the dynamic external shading systems depends on its depth and orientation, the location climate, the window size, and the glazing type ...
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Abstract In this paper, a systematic review analysis of fully enforced stay at home orders and government lockdowns is presented. The main goal of the analysis is to identify the impacts of stay home living patterns on energy consumption... more
Abstract In this paper, a systematic review analysis of fully enforced stay at home orders and government lockdowns is presented. The main goal of the analysis is to identify the impacts of stay home living patterns on energy consumption of residential buildings. Specifically, metered data collected from various reported sources are reviewed and analyzed to assess the changes in overall electricity demand for various countries and US states. Weather adjusted time series data of electricity demand before and after COVID-19 lockdowns are used to determine the magnitude of changes in electricity demand and residential energy use patterns. The analysis results indicate that while overall electricity demand is lower because of lockdowns that impact commercial buildings and manufacturing sectors, the energy consumption for the housing sector has increased by as much as 30% during the full 2020 lockdown period. Analysis of reported end-use data indicates that most of the increase in household energy demand is due to higher occupancy patterns during daytime hours, resulting in increased use of energy intensive systems such as heating, air conditioning, lighting, and appliances. Several energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions are presented to cost-effectively mitigate the increase in energy demands due to extended stayhome living patterns.
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<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>We are pleased to present starting with this volume of ASME journal of Engineering for Sustainable Buildings and Cities (JESBC), a series of peer-reviewed papers related to some... more
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>We are pleased to present starting with this volume of ASME journal of Engineering for Sustainable Buildings and Cities (JESBC), a series of peer-reviewed papers related to some of on-going research projects and applications of Grid-interactive Efficient Buildings or GEBs. As part of a new program initiated by the Building Technology Office (BTO) with the US Department of Energy (DOE), GEBs are characterized as highly energy-efficient buildings that are equipped with smart technologies and distributed energy resources that can be dynamically controlled to meet grid needs and minimize electricity system costs, while meeting occupants' comfort and productivity requirements. In simple terms, DOE defines GEBs as efficient, connected, smart, and flexible buildings.</jats:p>
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Abstract This paper describes an analysis approach to assess water consumption attributed to electricity generation required to meet the demand for the entire Saudi residential building stock. In addition, the analysis aims at estimating... more
Abstract This paper describes an analysis approach to assess water consumption attributed to electricity generation required to meet the demand for the entire Saudi residential building stock. In addition, the analysis aims at estimating the water consumption reduction due to cost-effective energy retrofit measures for the Saudi housing stock. The analysis estimated that the water consumed annually to generate electricity for the Saudi entire housing stock is 135 MCM representing almost 10% and 4% of the water used by the industrial sector. Moreover, it is found that both electricity generation need and associated water consumption can be reduced by 15.7% when lighting is retrofitted with low-energy fixtures and by 25.8% when high efficiency air conditioning systems are installed for all the existing Saudi housing stocks. For the housing stock located in the Central region with prevalent dry climates, replacing existing air conditioning by evaporative coolers can save 11.1 TWh/a (25.5%) in electricity consumption but increase the water consumption by 36.2 MCM/a (80.6%). A cost-benefit analysis of lighting retrofit is found to be highly cost-effective for both households and the government with payback periods of less than 1 year.
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This paper evaluates the potential energy cost savings when dynamic insulation materials (DIMs) are applied to residential housing located in Barcelona, Spain. The analysis considers three dwelling prototypes to characterize the housing... more
This paper evaluates the potential energy cost savings when dynamic insulation materials (DIMs) are applied to residential housing located in Barcelona, Spain. The analysis considers three dwelling prototypes to characterize the housing stock in Barcelona including detached, attached, and apartments. In addition, three vintages for each housing prototype are defined: before 1979 when building envelope insulation took effect in Spain, between 1980 and 2006, and after 2006 when the building envelope insulation code became more restrictive. Using a modified 3R2C network model of a multi-layer external wall, optimum R-value is selected based on a simplified control strategy of a variable 2-step R-value. The analysis results indicate that the largest R-value step size (ΔR) in dynamic insulation layers achieves the highest savings in source energy, reaching up to 18.95% reduction in source heating and cooling energy for the entire housing stock of the metropolitan area of Barcelona. The a...
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In this paper, an efficient Bayesian-Emulator approach is developed and applied to identify unknown input parameters for detailed energy models for existing buildings. The new approach improves on the traditional Bayesian approach for... more
In this paper, an efficient Bayesian-Emulator approach is developed and applied to identify unknown input parameters for detailed energy models for existing buildings. The new approach improves on the traditional Bayesian approach for parameter identification, characterized by high computing requirements. Specifically, the developed approach utilizes a building energy model emulator to expedite the parameter identification process. Both discrete and continuous building energy model parameters can be identified using the developed Bayesian-Emulator approach. In the paper, the benefits of the developed Bayesian-Emulator parameter identification approach to calibrate whole-building energy models are discussed. Moreover, the proposed approach has been applied to a case study of an existing medium office building using monthly utility data. It is found that the Bayesian-Emulator is capable to calibrate the medium office building energy model in less than 1 minute using a personal computer. The Bayesian-Emulator approach presented in this paper can be an effective framework to automatically calibrate energy models for existing buildings.
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This paper presents an application of a new stability condition for the conduction transfer function (CTF) method suitable for calculating thermal load attributed to heat conduction through building envelope surfaces. The stability... more
This paper presents an application of a new stability condition for the conduction transfer function (CTF) method suitable for calculating thermal load attributed to heat conduction through building envelope surfaces. The stability condition is implemented and evaluated into to EnergyPlus, a whole-building energy simulation tool. In particular, the performance of the new stability condition is compared against the stability algorithm currently utilized in EnergyPlus for various wall construction configurations. The results of the comparative analysis indicate that the new stability condition is easier to implement, reduces the computational time, and expands the application range of the CTF method to heavy weight constructions when compared to the current stability algorithm of EnergyPlus.
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ABSTRACT A numerical transient thermal model for thermo-active foundations is developed.•Thermal interactions between thermal piles and building foundations are evaluated.•A simplified analysis method of thermal interactions between... more
ABSTRACT A numerical transient thermal model for thermo-active foundations is developed.•Thermal interactions between thermal piles and building foundations are evaluated.•A simplified analysis method of thermal interactions between thermal piles and building foundations is developed.
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Landscaping design factors, like lakes and vegetations, have a large impact on microclimates and are considered an efficient mechanism for cooling communities. In order to evaluate different effects of landscaping design factors, a field... more
Landscaping design factors, like lakes and vegetations, have a large impact on microclimates and are considered an efficient mechanism for cooling communities. In order to evaluate different effects of landscaping design factors, a field measurement on outdoor ...
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This paper overviews some applications of neural networks (NNs) to estimate energy and demand savings from retrofits of commercial buildings. First, a brief background information on NNs is provided. Then, three specific case studies are... more
This paper overviews some applications of neural networks (NNs) to estimate energy and demand savings from retrofits of commercial buildings. First, a brief background information on NNs is provided. Then, three specific case studies are described to illustrate how and when NNs can be used successfully to determine energy savings due to the implementation of various energy conservation measures in existing commercial buildings.
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In this paper, the energy efficiency potential of applying novel dynamic insulation systems to slab foundations is investigated for residential buildings. Specifically, dynamic insulation allows the foundation to change its thermal... more
In this paper, the energy efficiency potential of applying novel dynamic insulation systems to slab foundations is investigated for residential buildings. Specifically, dynamic insulation allows the foundation to change its thermal resistance to reduce both heating and cooling thermal loads compared to static insulation systems. The energy benefits of the dynamic insulation are evaluated using a validated numerical model integrated with a state-of-art whole-building simulation tool. Specifically, optimal settings for slab-integrated dynamic insulation are determined monthly to reduce heating and cooling thermal loads while maintaining thermal comfort for a prototypical house located in representative US climates. The analysis results indicate that the deployment of slab-integrated dynamic insulation can reduce heating energy by 10% and cooling energy by 39%, and total heating, ventilating, and air conditioning end-use by up to 12%, especially for houses located in cold climates.
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ABSTRACT In this paper, the energy performance of an integrated adaptive envelope system (AES) is evaluated when applied to detached houses in four US climates. Three main technologies are part of the AES including cool roofs, movable... more
ABSTRACT In this paper, the energy performance of an integrated adaptive envelope system (AES) is evaluated when applied to detached houses in four US climates. Three main technologies are part of the AES including cool roofs, movable PV-integrated shading devices (MPVISDs), and switchable insulation systems (SISs). For this study, the AES is operated to minimize annual heating and cooling energy uses. The analysis results clearly indicate that the integrated AES have high potential for cooling energy savings for residential buildings. Specifically, MPVISDs offer the highest contribution followed by attic and walls integrated SISs. Overall, the integrated AES allows on-site electricity generation and offers savings between 234 kWh/yr and 949 kWh/yr in cooling energy depending on the US climate. The deployment of AES alone allows US homes to almost reach net-zero energy designs especially in mild and hot climates.
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In this paper, a review of the adoption status of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies is presented, specific to US residential buildings. Various technologies are reviewed and categorized as either their relative “higher... more
In this paper, a review of the adoption status of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies is presented, specific to US residential buildings. Various technologies are reviewed and categorized as either their relative “higher adoption” or “lower adoption” rates within the US housing stock. More importantly, the review analysis investigates the main factors associated with their high or low adoption rates. Specifically, the paper provides a background of the historical progression of energy efficiency programs as well as sustainability certifications and standards for buildings. The review then analyzes specific building energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies applied to US residential buildings and their adoption rates. The review analysis indicates that building technologies are more frequently adopted for multiple reasons including requirements by codes and standards, incentives through green certifications, low implementation costs, and acceptance and popul...
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In this paper, the results of a feasibility analysis are summarized to assess the energy, economic, and environmental benefits of electrification and renewable energy integration for an urban district of Old City, Philadelphia,... more
In this paper, the results of a feasibility analysis are summarized to assess the energy, economic, and environmental benefits of electrification and renewable energy integration for an urban district of Old City, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. First, the energy demand for the district is reduced through the implementation of cost-effective energy efficiency measures (EEMs) appropriate for Philadelphia’s climate. Then, a combination of distributed generation (DG) systems including wind, photovoltaics, and hydropower is evaluated to determine optimized hybrid systems that meet the energy demand of non-electrified and electrified districts. The analysis indicates that the implementation of common and proven EEMs to all the district buildings can reduce its annual energy consumption and CO2 emissions by 13% and 13.8%, respectively. These EEMs are estimated to be cost-effective based on the current electricity price of $0.082/kWh offered by Philadelphia’s utility, Philadelphia Electric Com...
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As demand continues to grow throughout the United States, new communities have unique opportunities to take advantage of load-side and generation-side integrations with the goal of reducing energy use, improving the environment, and... more
As demand continues to grow throughout the United States, new communities have unique opportunities to take advantage of load-side and generation-side integrations with the goal of reducing energy use, improving the environment, and increasing resilience. Most currently reported literature investigates energy efficiency and reduction of building energy consumption or on-site generation and net zero energy goals without resiliency performance analysis. This study examines the impacts of residential building characteristics and energy sources (i.e. electricity and natural gas) on the capacity of the on-site PV generation required to achieve net-zero energy and resiliency goals for a community in Longmont, Colorado. Six community load designs are shown to impact system sizes and costs for on-site generation and resilience. Gas and electrified minimum cost designs reduce source energy from their baselines by 17% and 47% respectively. Gas minimum cost designs reduce initial and annualize...
This paper evaluates the energy performance of shallow ground source heat pumps using the state-of-art whole building energy simulation tool. In particular, the paper presents a systematic and easy to implement approach to model the... more
This paper evaluates the energy performance of shallow ground source heat pumps using the state-of-art whole building energy simulation tool. In particular, the paper presents a systematic and easy to implement approach to model the energy performance of shallow and helical ground heat exchangers and assess their energy efficiency benefits to heat and cool buildings. The modeling approach is based on the implementation of G-functions, generated using a validated numerical model, in a state-of-art whole building energy simulation tool. Both the numerical model and the simulation tool are applied to assess the energy performance of various shallow geothermal systems designed to meet heating and cooling needs for detached single-family homes in California. Specifically, a series of sensitivity analyses is conducted to determine the energy performance of the shallow geothermal systems in 16 locations representing all California climate zones. It is found that the suitability and the eff...
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In this paper, the energy benefits of switchable insulation systems (SIS) are assessed when applied as shades for windows as well as dynamic insulation for exterior walls of residential buildings located in European countries including... more
In this paper, the energy benefits of switchable insulation systems (SIS) are assessed when applied as shades for windows as well as dynamic insulation for exterior walls of residential buildings located in European countries including Belgium and Spain. A series of analyses is performed for detached houses and apartments representing common Belgian residential buildings to determine the energy performance of SIS when deployed to windows and exterior walls and operated using simplified rule-based controls. The analysis results indicate that SIS-integrated windows can achieve significant energy savings for both dwelling types in Belgium, including the elimination of any mechanical cooling and a reduction of up to 44% of heating energy end-use. Moreover, the results show that SIS can offer even more energy efficiency and thermal comfort benefits when deployed to both windows and exterior walls for residential buildings. These energy efficiency benefits are higher, especially for reduc...
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This paper describes a series of tests that were performed to determine whether a neural-network model could outperform a correlation-based model in representing foundation heat losses. The two models were trained with data generated by... more
This paper describes a series of tests that were performed to determine whether a neural-network model could outperform a correlation-based model in representing foundation heat losses. The two models were trained with data generated by BASECALC, a finite-element-based program for modelling foundation heat losses. The two models are described along with details of the tests used to compare them. The most important conclusion of this work is that although both models accurately represent the BASECALC data, the NN model outperforms the correlation-based model in the majority of the tests. This observation has greater implications in terms of time rather than accuracy. The use of neural networks rather than correlations could significantly reduce the development time of regression-based algorithms for building energy programs. Although correlation techniques may be preferable for some applications due to their closed-form nature, neural network models should be given due consideration.