Energy efficiency in complex buildings

Abstract

Thermal energy performance of a certain building refers to the process of modelling the energy transfer between the building and its surroundings. The objective of the present work was to analyze the energy performances of complex buildings in terms of energy efficiency. Healthcare buildings are a typical example of complex objects, both from a construction and from a thermo-technical aspect, since they usually need heat and cold generation and distribution systems and facilities. For the purpose of the present analysis, a complex consisting of 16 hospital buildings has been evaluated from the energy efficiency viewpoint. Numerical simulation has been conducted to identify the baseline energy consumption of the considered healthcare buildings. The data have been further processed for analysis and comparison of baseline scenario with the scenario for energy efficient renovated buildings. The results from the analysis show that energy efficient complex healthcare buildings may reach operation energy savings up to 50% compared to baseline situation where the buildings are operating with inefficient heating and electrical systems. The investments simple payback period of the proposed energy efficiency measures is between 5-6 years. Implementation of renewable energy system for sanitary hot water preparation, might address issues related to energy security, i.e. dependency on the energy imports by reducing expenditures on energy, as well as might reduce the consequent environmental impact. The results of the energy efficiency measures implementation in the considered healthcare buildings show significant improvements, resulting with lower energy cost for the buildings, reduction of fossil fuels use and reduction of CO2 emissions up to 45%.