• Energy Research

Abstract The aim of this paper is to examine the energy consumption of and determine energy-efficient design strategies for mid-rise and high-rise office buildings in composite climate. For this purpose, a comparative study is performed of six energy-efficient office buildings in composite climate in India. The selected energy-efficient office buildings are situated in the major cities (Delhi, Gurgaon, and Hyderabad) of India with a composite climate. This study investigates the effectiveness of different design strategies for reducing the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) and lighting loads of the six buildings. The effect of factors such as the building form, envelope configuration, placement of the service core, window-to-wall ratio (WWR), and percentage of air-conditioned space on the HVAC load are analyzed. Similarly, the effect of the plan depth and WWR on the lighting load is also determined. Finally, the findings of the study are used to recommend effective design strategies for high-rise office buildings in composite climate. Moreover, the energy performance data are compared with the national energy consumption benchmarks for composite climate. The comparison indicates the design strategies performed well, that lead to a decrease in the energy consumption of high-rise office buildings in composite climate.

Abstract The aim of this paper is to examine the energy consumption of and determine energy-efficient design strategies for mid-rise and high-rise office buildings in composite climate. For this purpose, a comparative study is performed of six energy-efficient office buildings in composite climate in India. The selected energy-efficient office buildings are situated in the major cities (Delhi, Gurgaon, and Hyderabad) of India with a composite climate. This study investigates the effectiveness of different design strategies for reducing the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) and lighting loads of the six buildings. The effect of factors such as the building form, envelope configuration, placement of the service core, window-to-wall ratio (WWR), and percentage of air-conditioned space on the HVAC load are analyzed. Similarly, the effect of the plan depth and WWR on the lighting load is also determined. Finally, the findings of the study are used to recommend effective design strategies for high-rise office buildings in composite climate. Moreover, the energy performance data are compared with the national energy consumption benchmarks for composite climate. The comparison indicates the design strategies performed well, that lead to a decrease in the energy consumption of high-rise office buildings in composite climate.

The building envelope is the interface between the external atmospheric conditions and the indoor environment. It contributes to approximately 60%–70% of the heating and cooling load. The building envelope constitutes walls, fenestrations, and roofs from which thermal transfer from the roof is significantly very high compared to walls in low-rise buildings.This research paper aims to provide recommendations for energy-efficient roof design considering roof form, material, and external coating suitable for various climate conditions of India. The paper’s methodology consists of a literature review of related research papers, learnings from the roofing system of energy-efficient building case studies, and all possible energy-efficient roofing systems that would be simulated for energy efficiency and thermal comfort in five climate types of India. The expected outcome of this paper would be in the form of recommendations for roofing systems in different climate type and their potential for energy saving from the highest to the lowest. This research would be done in three stages viz, Step-1: Literature Review and case study of best practices: A review of the related literature and best practices examples would be done to formulate the maximum possible cases for the simulation. Step-2: The roofing systems, including building form, material (Thermal and insulation), and finishes (reflectance), would be simulated one by one for various climate types of India (composite, hot & dry, warm and humid, moderate and cold) to optimize energy efficiency and payback period. Step-3: Special roof types like Green roofs, cool roofs, Photovoltaic roofs, roof ponds, and the like are simulated and compared for their effectiveness in selected climate types. Based on the literature review, simulation results, and analysis, the recommendations are framed for energy-efficient roofing systems in the selected climate type with respect to heat transfer through the roof and thermal comfort.

The building envelope is the interface between the external atmospheric conditions and the indoor environment. It contributes to approximately 60%–70% of the heating and cooling load. The building envelope constitutes walls, fenestrations, and roofs from which thermal transfer from the roof is significantly very high compared to walls in low-rise buildings.This research paper aims to provide recommendations for energy-efficient roof design considering roof form, material, and external coating suitable for various climate conditions of India. The paper’s methodology consists of a literature review of related research papers, learnings from the roofing system of energy-efficient building case studies, and all possible energy-efficient roofing systems that would be simulated for energy efficiency and thermal comfort in five climate types of India. The expected outcome of this paper would be in the form of recommendations for roofing systems in different climate type and their potential for energy saving from the highest to the lowest. This research would be done in three stages viz, Step-1: Literature Review and case study of best practices: A review of the related literature and best practices examples would be done to formulate the maximum possible cases for the simulation. Step-2: The roofing systems, including building form, material (Thermal and insulation), and finishes (reflectance), would be simulated one by one for various climate types of India (composite, hot & dry, warm and humid, moderate and cold) to optimize energy efficiency and payback period. Step-3: Special roof types like Green roofs, cool roofs, Photovoltaic roofs, roof ponds, and the like are simulated and compared for their effectiveness in selected climate types. Based on the literature review, simulation results, and analysis, the recommendations are framed for energy-efficient roofing systems in the selected climate type with respect to heat transfer through the roof and thermal comfort.

Abstract Developing countries, such as India, face the challenge of increased energy consumption in buildings. One of the reasons for high energy consumption is the large glazed facades of buildings that cause overheating. The energy consumption problem can be solved by optimizing passive design features of the building envelope at an early design stage according to the climate of that building location. This study determined the gaps in the building envelope optimization of office buildings in India and its requirement. Moreover, it reviewed variables of the building envelope design, current trends for simulation and optimization methodologies, criteria for selection of simulation, and optimization tools. More than 100 studies were reviewed, particularly studies performed in India on related topics. The results are based on statistical charts generated using the reviews. The results include the methodology for the research and development of a base case model, selection of building design variables, and simulation and optimizations tools.