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Combined Effect of Outdoor Microclimate Boundary Conditions on Air Conditioning System’s Efficiency and Building Energy Demand in Net Zero Energy Settlements

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  • Cristina Piselli

    (Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, 06125 Perugia, Italy
    CIRIAF-Interuniversity Research Centre, University of Perugia, 06125 Perugia, Italy)

  • Matteo Di Grazia

    (CIRIAF-Interuniversity Research Centre, University of Perugia, 06125 Perugia, Italy)

  • Anna Laura Pisello

    (Department of Engineering, University of Perugia, 06125 Perugia, Italy
    CIRIAF-Interuniversity Research Centre, University of Perugia, 06125 Perugia, Italy)

Abstract

In Europe, near zero energy buildings (NZEBs) represent the new frontier of energy efficiency in the built environment. Shifting the scale from NZEBs to net zero energy (NZE) settlements represents the opportunity to achieve further energy, environmental, and cost benefits, thanks to shared energy management, optimization of renewable energy systems, and microclimate mitigation. In particular, the last aspect takes advantage of the implementation of local microclimate mitigation strategies at a larger scale to improve settlements outdoor environmental conditions and citizens’ wellbeing. Furthermore, this inter-building scale mitigation involves relatively less severe working boundary conditions for buildings, able to both reduce building energy demand and improve HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system’s efficiency. In this study, this potential extra-energy saving, achievable without additional costs, is explored within the framework of a NZE settlement built in Italy thanks to an ongoing Horizon 2020 project. Improved working conditions for the operating air conditioning system and building energy savings thanks to settlement scale opportunities for microclimate mitigation are assessed. Findings show how this effect represents a further non-negligible energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable benefit achievable through the design and construction of NZE settlements. Potential energy savings are up to 24% when considering the double effect of microclimate mitigation.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Piselli & Matteo Di Grazia & Anna Laura Pisello, 2020. "Combined Effect of Outdoor Microclimate Boundary Conditions on Air Conditioning System’s Efficiency and Building Energy Demand in Net Zero Energy Settlements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-13, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:15:p:6056-:d:390871
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    1. Denisa Valachova & Andrea Badurova & Iveta Skotnicova, 2021. "Thermal Technical Analysis of Lightweight Timber-Based External Wall Structures with Ventilated Air Gap," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, January.
    2. Angeliki Mavrigiannaki & Kostas Gobakis & Dionysia Kolokotsa & Kostas Kalaitzakis & Anna Laura Pisello & Cristina Piselli & Rajat Gupta & Matt Gregg & Marina Laskari & Maria Saliari & Margarita-Niki A, 2020. "Measurement and Verification of Zero Energy Settlements: Lessons Learned from Four Pilot Cases in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-16, November.

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