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Smart and Sustainable Buildings: Energy Use, Indoor Environmental Quality and...
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Smart and Sustainable Buildings: Energy Use, Indoor Environmental Quality and Occupant Satisfaction

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2025 | Viewed by 9223

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Tea Zakula

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Ivana Lučića 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: intelligent building controls and optimization; building participation on energy grids; user-centered control; buildign simulatons; energy efficinecy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Zheng D. O'Neill

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 400 Bizzell St., College Station, TX 77843, USA
Interests: building/HVAC&R energy efficiency; intelligent building controls and optimization; grid-interactive efficient buildings; uncertainty quantification in building energy systems; well-being in the built environment
Dr. Luka Boban

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb, Ivana Lučića 5, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Interests: heat pumps; refrigeration; renewable cooling and heating; shallow geothermal systems

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite the abundance of promising new technologies, we are still witnessing a significant mismatch between potential advancements and the current situation on the market. For example, the data suggest that the measured energy use can be as much as 2.5 times the predicted energy use, which is known as the building energy performance gap. Moreover, abundant research and numerous pilot sites related to smart buildings exist, but the term “smart building” is used loosely. Buildings claiming to be smart continue to focus on data collection and performance monitoring rather than utilizing data analytics and advanced building functionalities, such as predictive control and user-centred control. The European Commission has recently published a methodology to quantify the smartness of a building using a parameter called the Smart Readiness Indicator (SRI). This aims to bring measurable improvements to three key functionalities: 1) maintaining energy efficiency performance and operation, 2) adapting the operation mode to occupant needs, i.e., user friendliness, healthy indoor climate, reporting energy usage, and 3) flexible electricity demand in buildings, i.e., demand‒response from the power grid.

The main aim of this Special Issue is to explore best practices and new developments towards smart and sustainable buildings in line with the SRI philosophy. The topics include but are not limited to:

  • Smart buildings;
  • User-centred control;
  • Strategies for improved indoor environmental quality and user satisfaction;
  • Performance measurements;
  • Reduction in the building energy performance gap;
  • Building information and energy modelling;
  • Maintenance and fault detection;
  • Building participation in energy markets.

Dr. Tea Zakula
Dr. Zheng D. O'Neill
Dr. Luka Boban
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • energy efficiency
  • occupant satisfaction
  • indoor environmental quality
  • smart buildings
  • performance optimization
  • performance gap
  • building management
  • user-centred control

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 7328 KiB  
Article
A Comparative Study to Assess the Energy Efficiency of Temporary Structures to Guarantee Emergency Basic Healthcare in Italy
by Silvia Brunoro and Lisa Mensi
Buildings 2024, 14(8), 2295; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082295 - 24 Jul 2024
Viewed by 877
Abstract
During emergencies, healthcare is generally provided by tents and temporary shelters, without considering the environmental and social impact of the structures as a priority, in favor of swift response. The resultant constructions intended as a temporary solution often persist for a long time. [...] Read more.
During emergencies, healthcare is generally provided by tents and temporary shelters, without considering the environmental and social impact of the structures as a priority, in favor of swift response. The resultant constructions intended as a temporary solution often persist for a long time. This paper aims to analyze an alternative and innovative modular structure designed as a transitory solution in emergencies and everyday life. The aim of this study is to assess and compare the energetic performance of a modular adaptive model for basic healthcare for people who are not subscribed to the Italian National Health System. The main goal is to challenge standard models by proposing a new model able to diminish the weaknesses of the current sanitary models, to improve the social conditions, flexibility and energy efficiency, and the thermal comfort of the occupants. In the first part of the paper, the conceptual framework and the preliminary design of the model are described by investigating the benefits of a safe space as a generator space for care services and the community. In the second part, the technological requirements of the system are defined by comparing the use of different panel structures and low-impact technologies. The energy efficiency and environmental impact of the model are assessed by comparing several panel structures in two different climatic areas in Italy (northern and Mediterranean areas) using SketchUp and EnergyPlus simulation. As a result, different configurations of the model are proposed according to the different climatic areas in order to optimize the model, from both an architectural and a technological point of view (box and panel composition). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Sustainable Buildings: Energy Use, Indoor Environmental Quality and Occupant Satisfaction)
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15 pages, 4488 KiB  
Article
Optimization of the ANN Model for Energy Consumption Prediction of Direct-Fired Absorption Chillers for a Short-Term
by Goopyo Hong and Namchul Seong
Buildings 2023, 13(10), 2526; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13102526 - 6 Oct 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 959
Abstract
With an increasing concern for global warming, there have been many attempts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. About 30% of total energy has been consumed by buildings, and much attention has been paid to reducing building energy consumption. There are many ways to [...] Read more.
With an increasing concern for global warming, there have been many attempts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. About 30% of total energy has been consumed by buildings, and much attention has been paid to reducing building energy consumption. There are many ways to reduce building energy consumption. One of the most relevant methods is machine learning. While machine learning methods provide accurate energy consumption predictions, they require huge datasets. The present study developed an artificial neural network (ANN) model for building energy consumption predictions with small datasets. As mechanical systems are the most energy-consuming components in the building, the present study used the energy consumption data of a direct-fired absorption chiller for the short term. For the optimization, the prediction results were investigated by varying the number of inputs, neurons, and training data sizes. After optimizing the ANN model, it was validated with the actual data collected through a building automation system. In sum, the outcome of the present study can be used to predict the energy consumption of the chiller as well as improve the efficiency of energy management. The outcome of the present study can be used to develop a more accurate prediction model with a few datasets, which can improve the efficiency of building energy management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Sustainable Buildings: Energy Use, Indoor Environmental Quality and Occupant Satisfaction)
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20 pages, 3294 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Measurable Findings from Pre- and Post-Occupancy Evaluations of Indoor Environmental Quality in the Primary Workspace
by Suyeon Bae and Caren S. Martin
Buildings 2023, 13(10), 2486; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13102486 - 30 Sep 2023
Viewed by 1363
Abstract
This study examined the influence of quantitative and qualitative findings from both a pre-design occupancy evaluation (PDOE) and a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) on the expanded design team’s (designers, client, and researchers) approach to updating the interior work environment. The design team’s implementation of [...] Read more.
This study examined the influence of quantitative and qualitative findings from both a pre-design occupancy evaluation (PDOE) and a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) on the expanded design team’s (designers, client, and researchers) approach to updating the interior work environment. The design team’s implementation of mid-course design solution modifications to the primary workspaces of an engineering group’s environment both after the PDOE and the POE yielded many significant outcomes. The POE was conducted using the same instrument as the PDOE one year after the employees had moved back into their renovated space on a corporate campus. The study’s results were used as a diagnostic tool to improve indoor environmental quality (IEQ) conditions for employees and provided benchmarks for the remaining (85%) campus workplace improvements. The influence and importance of IEQ criteria on employee satisfaction, work performance, and health were demonstrated and contribute to the body of knowledge regarding the influence of the built environment on building occupants. A paired inquiry (PDOE plus POE) helps ensure that human, financial, and environmental resources are appropriated with a higher likelihood of success over POE data alone in terms of meeting current and future employees’ needs and corporate goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Sustainable Buildings: Energy Use, Indoor Environmental Quality and Occupant Satisfaction)
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23 pages, 5286 KiB  
Article
Innovative Environmental Chamber Construction for Accurate Thermal Performance Evaluation of Building Envelopes in Varied Climates
by Hevar Palani and Aslihan Karatas
Buildings 2023, 13(5), 1259; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13051259 - 11 May 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2547
Abstract
The testing of multi-layer building envelopes was performed using an environmental chamber following the ASTM C1363 and ISO 8990 standards. However, performing such tests in accordance with the standards by an accredited laboratory can be extremely costly, and many laboratories have waiting lists [...] Read more.
The testing of multi-layer building envelopes was performed using an environmental chamber following the ASTM C1363 and ISO 8990 standards. However, performing such tests in accordance with the standards by an accredited laboratory can be extremely costly, and many laboratories have waiting lists of several months. This is a significant cost for researchers and building material testing companies in the construction industry. Therefore, the goal of this study was to design, construct, and test a portable environmental chamber for building envelopes to validate the accuracy and the efficiency of the built environmental chamber to measure the thermal performance (i.e., R-value) of wall panels at extreme climate conditions (i.e., −20 °C and 80 °C). The results indicated that the built environmental chamber is capable of maintaining the steady state temperature inside the chamber during the hot climate condition test of 65 °C (150 °F) within ±0.5 °C and during the cold climate condition test of −16 °C (3 °F) within ±1 °C, meeting the requirement of the ASTM C1363-19 standard. The results also indicated that the built environmental chamber is capable of measuring the R-value of building envelopes under hot climate conditions with an accuracy of ±0.73 ft2·°F h/BTU (±0.129 m2 °C/W) and under cold climate conditions with an accuracy of ±1.02 ft2 °C·h/BTU (±0.180 m2 °C/W). This university-based testing program allows companies to test several building envelopes at a relatively low cost and minimum wait duration. Additionally, such an environmental chamber can be used for the accurate evaluation of innovative designs to determine promising designs and to refine wall specimen prototypes for manufactured materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Sustainable Buildings: Energy Use, Indoor Environmental Quality and Occupant Satisfaction)
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Review

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17 pages, 5735 KiB  
Review
Demand Response in Buildings: A Comprehensive Overview of Current Trends, Approaches, and Strategies
by Ruzica Jurjevic and Tea Zakula
Buildings 2023, 13(10), 2663; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13102663 - 23 Oct 2023
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2716
Abstract
Power grids in the 21st century face unprecedented challenges, including the urgent need to combat pollution, mitigate climate change, manage dwindling fossil fuel reserves, integrate renewable energy sources, and meet greater energy demand due to higher living standards. These challenges create heightened uncertainty, [...] Read more.
Power grids in the 21st century face unprecedented challenges, including the urgent need to combat pollution, mitigate climate change, manage dwindling fossil fuel reserves, integrate renewable energy sources, and meet greater energy demand due to higher living standards. These challenges create heightened uncertainty, driven by the intermittent nature of renewables and surges in energy consumption, necessitating adaptable demand response (DR) strategies. This study addresses this urgent situation based on a statistical analysis of recent scientific research papers. It evaluates the current trends and DR practices in buildings, recognizing their pivotal role in achieving energy supply–demand equilibrium. The study analysis provides insight into building types, sample sizes, DR modeling approaches, and management strategies. The paper reveals specific research gaps, particularly the need for more detailed investigations encompassing building types and leveraging larger datasets. It underscores the potential benefits of adopting a multifaceted approach by combining multiple DR management strategies to optimize demand-side management. The findings presented in this paper can provide information to and guide future studies, policymaking, and decision-making processes to assess the practical potential of demand response in buildings and ultimately contribute to more resilient and sustainable energy systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Smart and Sustainable Buildings: Energy Use, Indoor Environmental Quality and Occupant Satisfaction)
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