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Towards Integrated Design Tools for Water–Energy Nexus Solutions: Simulation of Advanced AWG Systems at Building Scale

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  • Lucia Cattani

    (SEAS SA, Société de l’Eau Aérienne Suisse, Technical Office, via dell’Industria 13/A, 6826 Riva San Vitale, Switzerland
    Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Roberto Figoni

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

  • Paolo Cattani

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
    Independent Researcher, Via Piermarini 4/L, 26900 Lodi, Italy)

  • Anna Magrini

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy)

Abstract

This study investigated the integration of advanced Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) within the design process of building energy systems, focusing on the water–energy nexus in the context of a real-life hospital building. It is based on a simulation approach, recognised as a viable means to analyse and enhance AWG potentialities. However, the current state of research does not address the issue of AWG integration within building plant systems. This study contributes to fill such a research gap by building upon an authors’ previous work and proposing an enhanced methodology. The methodology describes how to incorporate a multipurpose AWG system into the energy simulation environment of DesignBuilder (DB), version 7.0.0116, through its coupling with AWGSim, version 1.20d, a simulation tool specifically developed for atmospheric water generators. The chosen case study is a wing of the Mondino Hospital in Pavia, Italy, selected for its complex geometry and HVAC requirements. By integrating AWG outputs—covering water production, heating, and cooling—into DB, this study compared two configurations: the existing HVAC system and an enhanced version that includes the AWG as plant support. The simulation results demonstrated a 16.3% reduction in primary energy consumption (from 231.3 MWh to 193.6 MWh), with the elimination of methane consumption and additional benefits in water production (257 m 3 ). This water can be employed for photovoltaic panel cleaning, further reducing the primary energy consumption to 101.9 MWh (55.9% less than the existing plant), and for human consumption or other technical needs. Moreover, this study highlights the potential of using AWG technology to supply purified water, which can be a pivotal solution for hospitals located in areas affected by water crises. This research contributes to the atmospheric water field by addressing the important issue of simulating AWG systems within building energy design tools, enabling informed decisions regarding water–energy integration at the project stage and supporting a more resilient and sustainable approach to building infrastructure.

Suggested Citation

  • Lucia Cattani & Roberto Figoni & Paolo Cattani & Anna Magrini, 2025. "Towards Integrated Design Tools for Water–Energy Nexus Solutions: Simulation of Advanced AWG Systems at Building Scale," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-33, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:14:p:3874-:d:1706154
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Dawid Szpak & Barbara Tchórzewska-Cieślak & Magdalena Stręk, 2024. "A New Method of Obtaining Water from Water Storage Tanks in a Crisis Situation Using Renewable Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-12, February.
    2. Lucia Cattani & Paolo Cattani & Anna Magrini, 2021. "Air to Water Generator Integrated Systems: The Proposal of a Global Evaluation Index—GEI Formulation and Application Examples," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-21, December.
    3. Mengbo Zhang & Ranbin Liu & Yaxuan Li, 2022. "Diversifying Water Sources with Atmospheric Water Harvesting to Enhance Water Supply Resilience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-17, June.
    4. Lucia Cattani & Paolo Cattani & Anna Magrini, 2021. "Photovoltaic Cleaning Optimization: A Simplified Theoretical Approach for Air to Water Generator (AWG) System Employment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-17, July.
    5. Sandra Ricart & Rubén A. Villar-Navascués & Maria Hernández-Hernández & Antonio M. Rico-Amorós & Jorge Olcina-Cantos & Enrique Moltó-Mantero, 2021. "Extending Natural Limits to Address Water Scarcity? The Role of Non-Conventional Water Fluxes in Climate Change Adaptation Capacity: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-31, February.
    6. Lucia Cattani & Roberto Figoni & Paolo Cattani & Anna Magrini, 2025. "Integrated Atmospheric Water Generators for Building Sustainability: A Simulation-Based Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-27, April.
    7. Md. Washim Akram & Muhammad Firdaus Mohd Zublie & Md. Hasanuzzaman & Nasrudin Abd Rahim, 2022. "Global Prospects, Advance Technologies and Policies of Energy-Saving and Sustainable Building Systems: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-27, January.
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