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A Case Study on a Stochastic-Based Optimisation Approach towards the Integration of Photovoltaic Panels in Multi-Residential Social Housing

Author

Listed:
  • Rui Oliveira

    (Research Center for Risks and Sustainability in Construction—RISCO, Department of Civil Engineering, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Ricardo M.S.F. Almeida

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of Viseu, Campus Politécnico de Repeses, 3504-510 Viseu, Portugal
    CONSTRUCT-LFC, Faculty of Engineering—FEUP, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias s/n, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • António Figueiredo

    (Research Center for Risks and Sustainability in Construction—RISCO, Department of Civil Engineering, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

  • Romeu Vicente

    (Research Center for Risks and Sustainability in Construction—RISCO, Department of Civil Engineering, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal)

Abstract

The socioeconomic reality and the energy retrofit potential of the social housing neighbourhoods in Portugal are stimulating challenges to be addressed by research to pursue suitable energy efficient strategies to be integrated into these buildings. Therefore, this study explored a stochastic-based optimisation approach towards the integration of photovoltaic (PV) panels, considering different scenarios that combine the occupancy rate, the internal gains, the envelope refurbishment and the heating system efficiency. The optimisation approach has as its objective the minimisation of the life cycle cost of the photovoltaic system while using a limited space area on the rooftop for its installation. This study allowed concluding that the use of passive measures such as improving the thermal performance of the building envelope is essential to attain a lower optimal-sizing of a photovoltaic installation. The results reveal a decreasing trend in the PV optimal sizing, attaining a reduction up to 30% of the total number of PV panels installed on the sloped rooftop in several scenarios with 50% of occupancy rate. However, the impact can be greater when passive measures are coupled to more efficient heating systems, with higher COP, which result in a decrease up to 64% of the number of PV panels. Thus, the approach proposed is of paramount importance to aid in the decision-making process of design and sizing of photovoltaic installation, highlighting the practical application potential for social housing and a contribution for mitigation of the energy poverty of low-income families that live in these buildings.

Suggested Citation

  • Rui Oliveira & Ricardo M.S.F. Almeida & António Figueiredo & Romeu Vicente, 2021. "A Case Study on a Stochastic-Based Optimisation Approach towards the Integration of Photovoltaic Panels in Multi-Residential Social Housing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-16, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:22:p:7615-:d:679273
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Federica Rosso & Arianna Peduzzi & Lorenzo Diana & Stefano Cascone & Carlo Cecere, 2021. "A Sustainable Approach towards the Retrofit of the Public Housing Building Stock: Energy-Architectural Experimental and Numerical Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-19, March.
    2. Rui Oliveira & Romeu Vicente & Ricardo M. S. F. Almeida & António Figueiredo, 2021. "The Importance of In Situ Characterisation for the Mitigation of Poor Indoor Environmental Conditions in Social Housing," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-22, September.
    3. Katerina Sojkova & Martin Volf & Antonin Lupisek & Roman Bolliger & Tomas Vachal, 2019. "Selection of Favourable Concept of Energy Retrofitting Solution for Social Housing in the Czech Republic Based on Economic Parameters, Greenhouse Gases, and Primary Energy Consumption," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-26, November.
    4. McCabe, Annie & Pojani, Dorina & van Groenou, Anthony Broese, 2018. "The application of renewable energy to social housing: A systematic review," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 549-557.
    5. Escandón, Rocío & Suárez, Rafael & Sendra, Juan José, 2019. "Field assessment of thermal comfort conditions and energy performance of social housing: The case of hot summers in the Mediterranean climate," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 377-392.
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    7. Bianca Seabra & Pedro F. Pereira & Helena Corvacho & Carla Pires & Nuno M. M. Ramos, 2021. "Low Energy Renovation of Social Housing: Recommendations on Monitoring and Renewable Energies Use," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-23, March.
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