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Improving the Energy Efficiency of Public Utility Buildings in Poland through Thermomodernization and Renewable Energy Sources—A Case Study

Author

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  • Anna Barwińska-Małajowicz

    (Department of Economics and International Economic Relations, Institute of Economics and Finance, University of Rzeszów, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland)

  • Radosław Pyrek

    (Department of Economics and International Economic Relations, Institute of Economics and Finance, University of Rzeszów, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland)

  • Krzysztof Szczotka

    (Department of Power Systems and Environmental Protection Facilities, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, AGH University of Science and Technology, 30-059 Kraków, Poland)

  • Jakub Szymiczek

    (Department of Power Systems and Environmental Protection Facilities, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Robotics, AGH University of Science and Technology, 30-059 Kraków, Poland)

  • Teresa Piecuch

    (Department of Enterprise Management, Faculty of Management, Rzeszow University of Technology, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland)

Abstract

Economical and efficient use of energy is promoted around the world as a model of conscious care for the environment in which we live. A mere change of habits in the use of energy can reduce its costs by 5% to 15%, and investments in energy-saving technologies can pay for themselves after just a few years. This case study shows how significant steps can be taken in saving energy in the building of public utility buildings through deep thermomodernization using renewable energy sources—compressor heat pumps and photovoltaics. The article presents a comprehensive thermomodernization of a school building made according to Polish regulations. A detailed description of the tested object is given, and the calculation procedure is described. Next, the optimal investment variant and ex post analysis are described. The implementation of these projects significantly improved the energy efficiency of the building and generated final energy savings of 80%, which will significantly reduce the school’s operating costs. Thanks to the applied improvements, it was possible to save 72.30% of thermal energy in the building, which directly translates into lowering the building’s operating costs. The improvement of energy efficiency indicators ranges from 66% for usable energy to almost 85% for non-renewable primary energy. Furthermore, by reducing the demand for energy used in the building by nearly 74%, we see a reduction in CO 2 emissions. The methods used were desk research and an extended case study of Poland, a country facing a number of problems related to energy prices during the energy crisis. In this article, we identify the challenges faced by Poland due to its geopolitical situation, and the solutions introduced to the difficult situation in the energy market come in the form of the thermomodernization of buildings. It was on this basis that Poland was selected as a case study.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Barwińska-Małajowicz & Radosław Pyrek & Krzysztof Szczotka & Jakub Szymiczek & Teresa Piecuch, 2023. "Improving the Energy Efficiency of Public Utility Buildings in Poland through Thermomodernization and Renewable Energy Sources—A Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:10:p:4021-:d:1144190
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nikolaos Papadakis & Dimitrios Al. Katsaprakakis, 2023. "A Review of Energy Efficiency Interventions in Public Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-34, August.
    2. Marta Skiba & Maria Mrówczyńska & Małgorzata Sztubecka & Alicja Maciejko & Natalia Rzeszowska, 2023. "The European Union’s Energy Policy Efforts Regarding Emission Reduction in Cities—A Method Proposal," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-26, August.
    3. Mariusz Tomczyk & Henryk Wojtaszek & Małgorzata Chackiewicz & Małgorzata Orłowska, 2023. "Electromobility and Renewable Energy Sources: Comparison of Attitudes and Infrastructure in Poland and Germany," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-34, December.
    4. Sabina Kordana-Obuch & Michał Wojtoń & Mariusz Starzec & Beata Piotrowska, 2023. "Opportunities and Challenges for Research on Heat Recovery from Wastewater: Bibliometric and Strategic Analyses," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-36, September.
    5. Krzysztof Szczotka & Anna Barwińska-Małajowicz & Jakub Szymiczek & Radosław Pyrek, 2023. "Thermomodernization as a Mechanism for Improving Energy Efficiency and Reducing Emissions of Pollutants into the Atmosphere in a Public Utility Building," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-24, June.
    6. Piotr Michalak, 2023. "Simulation of a Building with Hourly and Daily Varying Ventilation Flow: An Application of the Simulink S-Function," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-25, December.

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