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Development in Smart and Energy-Efficient Buildings and Renewable Energy Systems

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "G: Energy and Buildings".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 July 2023) | Viewed by 11671

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alireza Dehghanisanij

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Guest Editor

Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy (WISE), University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Interests: renewable and sustainable energy; energy sources; energy storage; energy conversion and management; geothermal energy; energy and environment; sustainable development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Kushsairy Kadir

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Guest Editor

British Malaysian Institute, Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL BMI), Selangor 53100, Malaysia
Interests: image processing; signal processing

Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Salehi Dezfouli

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Guest Editor

The Department of Energy and Process Engineering (EPT), Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Postboks 8900, NO-7491 Trondheim, Norway
Interests: solar cooling system; energy efficient building; solar power plant; wind turbine; solar dryer; sustainable development

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In today’s world, energy is one of the most disputed and pivotal issues. It makes remarkable contributions to many aspects of any country, such as social, economic, industrial, technological, and sustainable development contributions. In other words, energy can be analogized as a leading dynamic engine in attaining various desired purposes today. Among different sectors, buildings—encompassing residential, educational, commercial, office, etc.—consume massive amounts of energy—mainly generated by fossil fuels—and are responsible for one-third of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide. Given the environmental and public health issues caused by utilizing non-renewable carbon-based energy sources, we need to phase them out and transition to clean, carbon-free (or at least low-carbon), and renewable energy sources coupled with eco-friendly technologies and sustainable practices.

The current Special Issue aims to fill knowledge gaps and aid in the development of technologies for smart and energy-efficient buildings and renewable energy systems. Original research articles, review articles, case studies, and technical notes are welcome in this Special Issue. Research areas may consist of but are not limited to the following:

The application of renewable energy technologies in buildings;
Net-zero energy buildings;
Smart buildings;
Energy-efficient cooling systems;
Natural and passive HVAC systems;
Wind energy technology, wind turbines, and wind-catchers;
Solar energy issues, photovoltaic technology conversion, and solar thermal applications;
Hydro-power technology production and conversion;
Geothermal energy (shallow, deep, or combinations) technology and applications;
Hydrogen production technology and fuel cells;
Bio-energy (e.g., bio-mass, bio-gas) technology and conversion;
Wave, tide, and ocean thermal energies;
Energy and exergy analyses of energy systems;
Renewable energies and sustainable development;
Smart, hybrid, and integrated renewable energy systems;
Energy storage technologies;
Life cycle analysis (LCA) of renewable energy systems;
Environmental risk assessment (ERA) of renewable energy systems;
Social, economic, and policy aspects of renewable energy;
Climate change mitigation and sustainability;
Computational fluid dynamics study of renewable energy systems;
The optimization of clean energy systems.

Substantive and valuable articles addressing the objectives of this Special Issue will be selected and published after undergoing peer-review. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Alireza Dehghanisanij
Dr. Kushsairy Kadir
Dr. Mohammad Mehdi Salehi Dezfouli
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. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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

net-zero energy buildings
smart buildings
natural ventilation and passive cooling
clean and renewable energy
energy sources and production
energy conversion and storage
energy efficiency improvement
energy conservation and recovery
energy management and optimization
hybrid and integrated energy systems
energy and exergy analyses
energy equity, security, and access
climate change and global warming
sustainable development

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

32 pages, 12249 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimization of Air Handler Controllers for Comfort Level in Smart Buildings Using Nature Inspired Algorithm

by Miqdad Aziz, Kushsairy Kadir, Haziq Kamarul Azman and Kanendra Vijyakumar

Energies 2023, 16(24), 8064; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16248064 - 14 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1375

Abstract

This research seeks to improve the temperature control of AHU in building sub-levels using optimization algorithms. Specifically, the study applies the FA and PSO algorithms to optimize the PID control of AHU’s temperature. The study addresses the issue of temperature control in building sub-levels, which is a common challenge in HVAC systems. The study uses optimization algorithms and a nonlinear model to improve temperature control and reduce fluctuations in temperature from the desired setting. Additionally, a NL-ARX algorithm is utilized to create a nonlinear model based on the thermal dynamics and energy behavioral patterns of ACMV cooling systems. The study evaluates the performance of three controllers—PID, FA-PID, and PSO-PID—based on ITSE as a performance index. The study compares the performance of these controllers to achieve the desired temperature setting, and it analyses the influence of temperature regulation on occupant comfort levels. In this study, we compare different controllers using ITSE as a performance indicator. This shows how well different optimization algorithms work at setting the right temperature. The research gap is the lack of efficient temperature control solutions in building sub-levels that can optimize occupant comfort and energy efficiency. The experimental findings confirm that PSO-PID outperforms conventional PID and FA-PID optimization in terms of achieving the goal objective via computational complexity. Overall, this study’s focus is to explore and compare different optimization algorithms to improve temperature control and occupant comfort in building sub-levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development in Smart and Energy-Efficient Buildings and Renewable Energy Systems)

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15 pages, 2127 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Optimized Power Dispatch for Smart Building and Electric Vehicles with V2V, V2B and V2G Operations

by Syed Muhammad Ahsan, Hassan Abbas Khan, Sarmad Sohaib and Anas M. Hashmi

Energies 2023, 16(13), 4884; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16134884 - 22 Jun 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1347

Abstract

The operation of smart buildings (with solar, storage and suitable power routing infrastructure) can be optimized with the addition of parking stations for electric vehicles (EVs) with vehicle-to-everything (V2X) operations including vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-building (V2B) and vehicle-to-grid (V2G) operations. In this paper, a multi-objective optimization framework is proposed for the smart charging and discharging of EVs along with the maximization of revenue and savings of smart building (prosumers with solar power, a battery storage system and a parking station) and non-primary/ordinary buildings (consumers of electricity without solar power, a battery storage system and parking station). A mixed-integer linear program is developed to maximize the profits of smart buildings that have bilateral contracts with non-primary buildings. The optimized charging and discharging (V2X) of EVs at affordable rates utilizing solar power and a battery storage system in the smart building helps to manage the EV load during on-peak hours and prevent utility congestion. The results indicate that in addition to the 4–9% daily electricity cost reductions for non-primary buildings, a smart building can achieve up to 60% of the daily profits. Further, EVs can save 50–69% in charging costs while performing V2X operations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development in Smart and Energy-Efficient Buildings and Renewable Energy Systems)

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33 pages, 35884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Contribution to Active Thermal Protection Research—Part 2 Verification by Experimental Measurement

by Daniel Kalús, Veronika Mučková, Daniela Koudelková, Mária Kurčová, Zuzana Straková, Martin Sokol, Rastislav Ingeli, Patrik Šťastný and Peter Janík

Energies 2023, 16(12), 4595; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16124595 - 8 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 900

Abstract

This article is closely related to the oldest article titled Contribution to Active Thermal Protection Research—Part 1 Analysis of Energy Functions by Parametric Study. It is a continuation of research that focuses on verifying the energy potential and functions of so-called active thermal protection (ATP). As mentioned in the first part, the amount of thermal energy consumed for heating buildings is one of the main parameters that determine their future design, especially the technical equipment. The issue of reducing the consumption of this energy is implemented in various ways, such as passive thermal protection, i.e., by increasing the thermal insulation parameters of the individual materials of the building envelope or by optimizing the operation of the technical equipment of the buildings. On the other hand, there are also methods of active thermal protection that aim to reduce heat leakage through nontransparent parts of the building envelope. This methodology is based on the validation of the results of a parametric study of the dynamic thermal resistance (DTR) and the heat fluxes to the interior and exterior from the ATP for the investigated envelope of the experimental house EB2020 made of aerated concrete blocks, presented in the article “Contribution to the research on active thermal protection—Part 1, Analysis of energy functions by the parametric study”, by long-term experimental measurements. The novelty of the research lies in the involvement of variant-peak heat/cooling sources in combination with RES and in creating a new, original way of operating energy systems with the possibility of changing and combining the operating modes of the ATP. We have verified the operation of the experimental house in the energy functions of thermal barrier, heating/cooling with RES, and without RES and ATP. The energy saving when using RES and ATP is approximately 37%. Based on the synthesis and induction of analogous forms of the results of previous research into recommendations for the development of building envelopes with energy-active elements, we present further possible outcomes in the field of ATP, as well as already realized and upcoming prototypes of thermal insulation panels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development in Smart and Energy-Efficient Buildings and Renewable Energy Systems)

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21 pages, 2525 KiB

Open AccessArticle

LCA and Scenario Analysis of Building Carbon Emission Reduction: The Influencing Factors of the Carbon Emission of a Photovoltaic Curtain Wall

by Wenhan Fan, Jiaqi Zhang, Jianliang Zhou, Chao Li, Jinxin Hu, Feixiang Hu and Zhibo Nie

Energies 2023, 16(11), 4501; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16114501 - 2 Jun 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1862

Abstract

The problem of global warming has become a major global concern, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is crucial to mitigate its effects. Photovoltaic power generation is clean, low-carbon energy. Photovoltaic products can convert solar energy into electricity, reducing CO₂ emissions to an extent. This paper introduces the life cycle evaluation theory to assess the carbon emissions of photovoltaic curtain walls. PVsyst software allows for the simulation and calculation of power generation under different influencing factors, which provides valuable information about the carbon reduction potential of photovoltaic curtain walls. The evaluation of carbon emissions and their influencing factors using grey correlation analysis further enhances the understanding of the benefits and limitations of photovoltaic curtain walls. According to the results of grey correlation analysis, this paper concludes that the degree of various influencing factors on carbon emission of a photovoltaic curtain wall under different scenarios in descending order is as follows: orientation, location, inclination, shadow occlusion, and seasonal changes. The research findings of this paper provide a theoretical reference for the future development and application of photovoltaic curtain walls. By demonstrating the carbon reduction potential of this technology, this study contributes to promoting the adoption of photovoltaic curtain walls as a sustainable solution to mitigate the effects of global warming. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development in Smart and Energy-Efficient Buildings and Renewable Energy Systems)

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43 pages, 8526 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Contribution to Active Thermal Protection Research—Part 1 Analysis of Energy Functions by Parametric Study

by Veronika Mučková, Daniel Kalús, Daniela Koudelková, Mária Kurčová, Zuzana Straková, Martin Sokol, Rastislav Ingeli, Patrik Šťastný and Peter Janík

Energies 2023, 16(11), 4391; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16114391 - 29 May 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1478

Abstract

The thermal energy consumption for heating objects is one of the main parameters deciding their technical and structural solution. Reducing energy consumption is realized in various ways. The most used method is passive thermal protection, that is, increasing the thermal insulation parameters of the envelope constructions and optimizing the operation of the technical equipment of the buildings. There are also methods of active thermal protection to reduce heat leakage through non-transparent parts of the building envelope. Active thermal protection (ATP) is a dynamic process that applies primarily to building structures with integrated energetically active elements that fulfill one or more functions in mutually exclusive operating modes of energy systems and heat sources, such as thermal barriers (TB), large-scale heating/cooling, long-term heat/cool storage, capturing solar energy, and energy from the surroundings or even recovering heat in the cold season or cold in the warm season and other combinations. The research area focuses on analyzing active thermal protection’s energy potential. The methodology is based on a parametric study of dynamic thermal resistance (DTR), and heat flows to the interior and exterior from ATP for the investigated envelope of the experimental house EB2020 made of aerated concrete blocks. Such constructions generally show a consistently high DTR of 11.8 to 30.8 ((m²·K)/W) at a low mean heat transfer temperature of 10 to 16 °C, corresponding to the thermal insulation of 300 to 1000 mm. In the case of ATP storage heating with an average temperature of the heat-carrying substance of 30 °C, the heat flow into the interior of the investigated structure would be only 2.31 W/m². Therefore, they are only suitable for a thermal barrier and heat/cold accumulation. Based on the synthesis and induction of analogical forms of the results of previous research into recommendations for the design of individual energy functions of ATP for perimeter structures of buildings, we present heat flows to the interior/exterior when changing the material of the layers towards the interior from ATP and describe possible variants of the development of building structures with integrated energetically active elements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development in Smart and Energy-Efficient Buildings and Renewable Energy Systems)

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21 pages, 2088 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Roadmap to a Sustainable Energy System: Is Uncertainty a Major Barrier to Investments for Building Energy Retrofit Projects in Wide City Compartments?

by Laura Gabrielli, Aurora Greta Ruggeri and Massimiliano Scarpa

Energies 2023, 16(11), 4261; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16114261 - 23 May 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1625

Abstract

Along the roadmap to a Sustainable Real Estate-Scape, energy retrofit campaigns on wide city compartments represent a pivotal task, where the importance of the collaboration between the public and private sectors is crucial. Energy retrofit programs on building assets are subject to multiple uncertainty factors (e.g., climate, energy-economy forecasts, etc.) that act as a primary barrier to investment in this field. This paper aims to discuss risk management techniques to understand better how to deal with this kind of uncertainty. The research specifically addresses the techniques of sensitivity analysis and Monte Carlo simulation, focusing first on the phase of variables selection and their probability definition, including climatic, environmental, energy, economic, financial, and stochastic parameters. In this article, it is suggested to include correlation coefficients in the input variables of risk analysis, preferring the two-dimension Monte Carlo simulation to its simple version, since the results are more reliable when separating aleatory from epistemic uncertainty; thus, the results are more reliable. Moreover, it is seen how a sensitivity analysis based on percentile variations of the inputs provides a more accurate representation of risk if compared to the most common sensitivity analysis based on percentage deviations of the inputs. Conducting a sensitivity analysis using percentile variations gives realistic and reliable results, reflecting the tailored definition of uncertainty around the inputs on the basis of specific market analyses or historical series. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development in Smart and Energy-Efficient Buildings and Renewable Energy Systems)

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12 pages, 266 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Renewable Energy Consumption: Does It Matter for China’s Sustainable Development?

by Yugang He and Wei Wei

Energies 2023, 16(3), 1242; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16031242 - 23 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1510

Abstract

In China, one of the most pressing issues that have to be addressed is how to best manage the link between energy consumption and sustainable development. Given this context, the goal of the current article is to investigate the effect of renewable energy consumption on sustainable development. Using provincial panel data from 2005 to 2020 and the province and year fixed effects model for an empirical study, we discover that renewable energy consumption has a favorable impact on sustainable development. Similarly, the findings suggest the influence of non-renewable energy consumption on sustainable development is weaker than that of renewable energy consumption. Moreover, the heterogeneity of the influence of renewable energy consumption and nonrenewable energy consumption on sustainable development in eastern, central, and western China has been demonstrated as well. Notably, the two-stage least squares approach and generalized system method of moments are utilized to examine the robustness of this issue, and the reliability and robustness of the conclusions presented in this study are also confirmed. To sum up, the results in this article provide more evidence that the use of energy is an important contributor to achieving sustainable development in China and realizing the target set for sustainable development in 2030. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development in Smart and Energy-Efficient Buildings and Renewable Energy Systems)

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