• Energy Research

AbstractThe goal of this study is to characterize the thermal performance of the opaque ventilated facade from sample-scale to building scale. To begin with, a representative sample has been built in order to test it in outdoor conditions using a traceable and precise methodology. The testing equipment used is a PASLINK test cell developed by DYNASTEE network at the Basque Government Laboratory of Quality Control in Buildings.The experimental results provide information to define a mathematical model of the ventilated gap's convective behavior for the application of building scale simulation. In this way, a building dynamic simulation has been carried out by TRNSYS. Results not only show the benefits of this solution in warm climate areas and drawbacks in cold climate areas, but also provide guides for the optimization and improvement of the opaque ventilated facade.

AbstractThe goal of this study is to characterize the thermal performance of the opaque ventilated facade from sample-scale to building scale. To begin with, a representative sample has been built in order to test it in outdoor conditions using a traceable and precise methodology. The testing equipment used is a PASLINK test cell developed by DYNASTEE network at the Basque Government Laboratory of Quality Control in Buildings.The experimental results provide information to define a mathematical model of the ventilated gap's convective behavior for the application of building scale simulation. In this way, a building dynamic simulation has been carried out by TRNSYS. Results not only show the benefits of this solution in warm climate areas and drawbacks in cold climate areas, but also provide guides for the optimization and improvement of the opaque ventilated facade.

This paper explores the effects of multi-zone heating systems in residential buildings in different Mediterranean climates. The aim is to evaluate their potential in residential sectors to provide a general basis from the results (from the energy and economic point of view). In addition, if feasible, a further detailed evaluation of this management strategy for optimising the energy use in residential buildings would also be carried out. To do so, the effects of two different zoning controls in different types of apartment, occupancy patterns, building characteristics and locations in Spain, have been assessed. Different combinations of these parameters have resulted in 336 different scenarios that have been dynamically simulated using Design Builder software. The obtained energy results have been analysed in detail. Moreover, an economic analysis of these results has also been carried out to evaluate the economic feasibility of these systems in residential buildings located in temperate climates. This has been calculated by evaluating the maximum investment that can be assumed in each scenario to achieve different payback periods (namely 10 and 20 years). The results obtained show that these systems could be a cost-effective strategy aimed at reducing the energy consumption in residential buildings, not only in cold climates, such as is shown in the literature (the majority of the studies found are located in the UK and northern countries), but also in more temperate climates, such as that of Spain. Savings of around 20% were obtained in the most usual scenarios in Spain (coherent with results obtained in previous studies in the UK found in the literature), showing that in several cases, the initial investment in zone-controlled systems could be paid off in less than ten years, especially in large apartments and the coldest weather conditions This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the European Regional Development Fund through the MONITHERM project ‘Investigation of monitoring techniques of occupied buildings for their thermal characterization and methodology to identify their key performance indicators’, project reference: RTI2018-096296-B-C22 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE)

This paper explores the effects of multi-zone heating systems in residential buildings in different Mediterranean climates. The aim is to evaluate their potential in residential sectors to provide a general basis from the results (from the energy and economic point of view). In addition, if feasible, a further detailed evaluation of this management strategy for optimising the energy use in residential buildings would also be carried out. To do so, the effects of two different zoning controls in different types of apartment, occupancy patterns, building characteristics and locations in Spain, have been assessed. Different combinations of these parameters have resulted in 336 different scenarios that have been dynamically simulated using Design Builder software. The obtained energy results have been analysed in detail. Moreover, an economic analysis of these results has also been carried out to evaluate the economic feasibility of these systems in residential buildings located in temperate climates. This has been calculated by evaluating the maximum investment that can be assumed in each scenario to achieve different payback periods (namely 10 and 20 years). The results obtained show that these systems could be a cost-effective strategy aimed at reducing the energy consumption in residential buildings, not only in cold climates, such as is shown in the literature (the majority of the studies found are located in the UK and northern countries), but also in more temperate climates, such as that of Spain. Savings of around 20% were obtained in the most usual scenarios in Spain (coherent with results obtained in previous studies in the UK found in the literature), showing that in several cases, the initial investment in zone-controlled systems could be paid off in less than ten years, especially in large apartments and the coldest weather conditions This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the European Regional Development Fund through the MONITHERM project ‘Investigation of monitoring techniques of occupied buildings for their thermal characterization and methodology to identify their key performance indicators’, project reference: RTI2018-096296-B-C22 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE)

Abstract Nowadays, several regulations exist covering different general guidelines that must be considered in order to decrease the energy demand in residential buildings. One of the main ones consists in increasing the insulation of the building envelope with the aim of minimizing heat losses or gains. As a result, a proper treatment of thermal bridges and their in situ construction becomes more relevant because their relative effect on the overall thermal demand of the building increases. Nevertheless, there is still a great uncertainty about the dynamic behavior of thermal bridges and few energy simulation programs allow implementing them considering their thermal inertia. To obtain more information about the thermal response of thermal bridges, a series of tests have been carried out in a guarded hot box testing facility. The characteristics of a pillar thermal bridge have been studied in both steady and dynamic regime, being one of the main objectives of this study the determination of the area of influence of a thermal bridge. For this purpose, test results are compared with simulation ones.

Abstract Nowadays, several regulations exist covering different general guidelines that must be considered in order to decrease the energy demand in residential buildings. One of the main ones consists in increasing the insulation of the building envelope with the aim of minimizing heat losses or gains. As a result, a proper treatment of thermal bridges and their in situ construction becomes more relevant because their relative effect on the overall thermal demand of the building increases. Nevertheless, there is still a great uncertainty about the dynamic behavior of thermal bridges and few energy simulation programs allow implementing them considering their thermal inertia. To obtain more information about the thermal response of thermal bridges, a series of tests have been carried out in a guarded hot box testing facility. The characteristics of a pillar thermal bridge have been studied in both steady and dynamic regime, being one of the main objectives of this study the determination of the area of influence of a thermal bridge. For this purpose, test results are compared with simulation ones.

Micro-cogeneration has been recognized as an efficient technology that can contribute to European Union's energy and climate objectives with respect to delivering low-carbon heat and power to citizens and small businesses. For improving the performance of this technology and so take as much advantage as possible of its potential, thermal energy storage plays a key role. This paper presents a techno-economic evaluation and optimization procedure focused on properly sizing and designing a micro-cogeneration residential installation, emphasizing how thermal energy storage is arranged and the different thermal loads prioritized within the plant. Therefore, the proposed methodology can be easily applied to buildings with different conditions and constraints. The methodology is then applied to a representative case study that consists of a detached house with a 1 kWe micro-cogeneration plant. Results of the case study show that in small installations DHW accumulation does not provide any significant improvement but a worsening of efficiency. Additionally, it is also proved that the layout of the distribution loop has an importance on the final performance of the plant that must be kept in mind. Moreover, results show that TES systems coupled with micro-cogeneration engines are traditionally highly oversized, thus worsening economic viability of these facilities This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the European Regional Development Fund through the MONITHERM project ‘Investigation of monitoring techniques of occupied buildings for their thermal characterization and methodology to identify their key performance indicators’, project reference: RTI2018-096296-B-C22 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE)

Micro-cogeneration has been recognized as an efficient technology that can contribute to European Union's energy and climate objectives with respect to delivering low-carbon heat and power to citizens and small businesses. For improving the performance of this technology and so take as much advantage as possible of its potential, thermal energy storage plays a key role. This paper presents a techno-economic evaluation and optimization procedure focused on properly sizing and designing a micro-cogeneration residential installation, emphasizing how thermal energy storage is arranged and the different thermal loads prioritized within the plant. Therefore, the proposed methodology can be easily applied to buildings with different conditions and constraints. The methodology is then applied to a representative case study that consists of a detached house with a 1 kWe micro-cogeneration plant. Results of the case study show that in small installations DHW accumulation does not provide any significant improvement but a worsening of efficiency. Additionally, it is also proved that the layout of the distribution loop has an importance on the final performance of the plant that must be kept in mind. Moreover, results show that TES systems coupled with micro-cogeneration engines are traditionally highly oversized, thus worsening economic viability of these facilities This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the European Regional Development Fund through the MONITHERM project ‘Investigation of monitoring techniques of occupied buildings for their thermal characterization and methodology to identify their key performance indicators’, project reference: RTI2018-096296-B-C22 (MCIU/AEI/FEDER, UE)