IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v13y2021i15p8251-d600324.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Multi-Disciplinary Analysis of Light Shelves Application within a Student Dormitory Refurbishment

Author

Listed:
  • Silvia Ruggiero

    (Department of Engineering-DING, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy)

  • Margarita-Niki Assimakopoulos

    (Group of Building Environmental Studies, Physics Department, University of Athens, 157-84 Athens, Greece)

  • Rosa Francesca De Masi

    (Department of Engineering-DING, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy)

  • Filippo de Rossi

    (Department of Architecture-DIARC, University of Naples, 80134 Naples, Italy)

  • Anastasia Fotopoulou

    (Department of Architecture-DA, University of Bologna, 40100 Bologna, Italy)

  • Dimitra Papadaki

    (Group of Building Environmental Studies, Physics Department, University of Athens, 157-84 Athens, Greece)

  • Giuseppe Peter Vanoli

    (Department of Medicine and Health Sciences-Vincenzo Tiberio, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy)

  • Annarita Ferrante

    (Department of Architecture-DA, University of Bologna, 40100 Bologna, Italy)

Abstract

The achievement of sustainable cities and communities is closely linked to an accurate design of the buildings. In this context, the transparent elements of the building envelope have a crucial role since, on one hand, they are a bottleneck in regards to heat and mass transfers and sound propagation, while, on the other hand, they must allow daylight penetration. Thus, they are responsible for occupants’ thermal and visual comfort and their health. Considering passive solutions for windows, the light shelves can improve natural light penetration, reducing the lights’ electricity demand and controlling windows’ related thermal aspects. The scientific literature is characterized by several studies that analyze this topic, which, however, focus only on the daylight field and sometimes the energy saving for lights. Moreover, they often refer to fixed sky type for the simulations. The aim of the present study is to analyze the application of the light shelves with a multi-disciplinary approach, by means of dynamic simulations, in the EnergyPlus engine, for a whole year. A new methodological approach is presented in order to investigate the technology under different fields of interest: daylight, lighting energy, cooling and heating needs, and thermo-hygrometric comfort. The case study chosen is an existing building, a student dormitory belonging to the University of Athens. It is subject to a deep energy renovation to conform to the “nearly Zero Energy Building” target, in the frame of a European research project called Pro-GET-onE (G.A No. 723747). By means of the calibrated numerical model of this HVAC–building system, ten different configurations of light shelves have been investigated. The best solution is given by the application of an internal horizontal light shelf placed at 50 cm from the top of the window with a depth of 90 or 60 cm. It has been found that despite the reduction in electricity demand for lighting, the variation in heating and cooling needs does not always lead to a benefit.

Suggested Citation

  • Silvia Ruggiero & Margarita-Niki Assimakopoulos & Rosa Francesca De Masi & Filippo de Rossi & Anastasia Fotopoulou & Dimitra Papadaki & Giuseppe Peter Vanoli & Annarita Ferrante, 2021. "Multi-Disciplinary Analysis of Light Shelves Application within a Student Dormitory Refurbishment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-22, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:15:p:8251-:d:600324
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/15/8251/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/13/15/8251/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ebrahimi-Moghadam, Amir & Ildarabadi, Paria & Aliakbari, Karim & Fadaee, Faramarz, 2020. "Sensitivity analysis and multi-objective optimization of energy consumption and thermal comfort by using interior light shelves in residential buildings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 736-755.
    2. Fabrizio Ascione & Nicola Bianco & Rosa Francesca De Masi & Gerardo Maria Mauro & Giuseppe Peter Vanoli, 2015. "Design of the Building Envelope: A Novel Multi-Objective Approach for the Optimization of Energy Performance and Thermal Comfort," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 7(8), pages 1-28, August.
    3. Margarita-Niki Assimakopoulos & Dimitra Papadaki & Francesco Tariello & Giuseppe Peter Vanoli, 2020. "A Holistic Approach for Energy Renovation of the Town Hall Building in a Typical Small City of Southern Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-36, September.
    4. Margarita-Niki Assimakopoulos & Rosa Francesca De Masi & Filippo de Rossi & Dimitra Papadaki & Silvia Ruggiero, 2020. "Green Wall Design Approach Towards Energy Performance and Indoor Comfort Improvement: A Case Study in Athens," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-23, May.
    5. Moe Soheilian & Géza Fischl & Myriam Aries, 2021. "Smart Lighting Application for Energy Saving and User Well-Being in the Residential Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-17, May.
    6. Ascione, Fabrizio & De Masi, Rosa Francesca & de Rossi, Filippo & Ruggiero, Silvia & Vanoli, Giuseppe Peter, 2016. "Optimization of building envelope design for nZEBs in Mediterranean climate: Performance analysis of residential case study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 938-957.
    7. Hee, W.J. & Alghoul, M.A. & Bakhtyar, B. & Elayeb, OmKalthum & Shameri, M.A. & Alrubaih, M.S. & Sopian, K., 2015. "The role of window glazing on daylighting and energy saving in buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 323-343.
    8. Heangwoo Lee & Janghoo Seo, 2020. "Performance Evaluation of External Light Shelves by Applying a Prism Sheet," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-14, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Amir Faraji & Fatemeh Rezaei & Payam Rahnamayiezekavat & Maria Rashidi & Hossein Soleimani, 2023. "Subjective and Simulation-Based Analysis of Discomfort Glare Metrics in Office Buildings with Light Shelf Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-21, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Krzysztof Grygierek & Joanna Ferdyn-Grygierek & Anna Gumińska & Łukasz Baran & Magdalena Barwa & Kamila Czerw & Paulina Gowik & Klaudia Makselan & Klaudia Potyka & Agnes Psikuta, 2020. "Energy and Environmental Analysis of Single-Family Houses Located in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-25, May.
    2. Zhang, Wanshi & Wu, Yunlei & Li, Xiuwei & Cheng, Feng & Zhang, Xiaosong, 2021. "Performance investigation of the wood-based heat localization regenerator in liquid desiccant cooling system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 133-149.
    3. Xiang Liu & Wanjiang Wang & Zixuan Wang & Junkang Song & Ke Li, 2023. "Simulation Study on Outdoor Wind Environment of Residential Complexes in Hot-Summer and Cold-Winter Climate Zones Based on Entropy-Based TOPSIS Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-28, August.
    4. Ascione, Fabrizio & De Masi, Rosa Francesca & de Rossi, Filippo & Ruggiero, Silvia & Vanoli, Giuseppe Peter, 2016. "Optimization of building envelope design for nZEBs in Mediterranean climate: Performance analysis of residential case study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 938-957.
    5. Liu, Changyu & Wu, Yangyang & Bian, Ji & Li, Dong & Liu, Xiaoyan, 2018. "Influence of PCM design parameters on thermal and optical performance of multi-layer glazed roof," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 151-161.
    6. Michaux, Ghislain & Greffet, Rémy & Salagnac, Patrick & Ridoret, Jean-Baptiste, 2019. "Modelling of an airflow window and numerical investigation of its thermal performances by comparison to conventional double and triple-glazed windows," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 27-45.
    7. Karolis Banionis & Jurga Kumžienė & Arūnas Burlingis & Juozas Ramanauskas & Valdas Paukštys, 2021. "The Changes in Thermal Transmittance of Window Insulating Glass Units Depending on Outdoor Temperatures in Cold Climate Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-22, March.
    8. Mao, Ning & Pan, Dongmei & Li, Zhao & Xu, Yingjie & Song, Mengjie & Deng, Shiming, 2017. "A numerical study on influences of building envelope heat gain on operating performances of a bed-based task/ambient air conditioning (TAC) system in energy saving and thermal comfort," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 213-221.
    9. Fernandes, Marco S. & Rodrigues, Eugénio & Gaspar, Adélio Rodrigues & Costa, José J. & Gomes, Álvaro, 2019. "The impact of thermal transmittance variation on building design in the Mediterranean region," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(C), pages 581-597.
    10. Ana Mafalda Matos & João M. P. Q. Delgado & Ana Sofia Guimarães, 2022. "Energy-Efficiency Passive Strategies for Mediterranean Climate: An Overview," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-20, April.
    11. Amir Faraji & Maria Rashidi & Fatemeh Rezaei & Payam Rahnamayiezekavat, 2023. "A Meta-Synthesis Review of Occupant Comfort Assessment in Buildings (2002–2022)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-36, February.
    12. Facundo Bre & Antonio Caggiano & Eduardus A. B. Koenders, 2022. "Multiobjective Optimization of Cement-Based Panels Enhanced with Microencapsulated Phase Change Materials for Building Energy Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-17, July.
    13. Anja Hansen & Jörn Budde & Annette Prochnow, 2016. "Resource Usage Strategies and Trade-Offs between Cropland Demand, Fossil Fuel Consumption, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions—Building Insulation as an Example," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 8(7), pages 1-24, June.
    14. Seok-Hyun Kim & Hakgeun Jeong & Soo Cho, 2019. "A Study on Changes of Window Thermal Performance by Analysis of Physical Test Results in Korea," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(20), pages 1-17, October.
    15. Rafael Herrera-Limones & Ángel Luis León-Rodríguez & Álvaro López-Escamilla, 2019. "Solar Decathlon Latin America and Caribbean: Comfort and the Balance between Passive and Active Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-17, June.
    16. Singh, Ramkishore & Lazarus, I.J. & Kishore, V.V.N., 2015. "Effect of internal woven roller shade and glazing on the energy and daylighting performances of an office building in the cold climate of Shillong," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 317-333.
    17. Wijeratne, W.M. Pabasara Upalakshi & Samarasinghalage, Tharushi Imalka & Yang, Rebecca Jing & Wakefield, Ron, 2022. "Multi-objective optimisation for building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) roof projects in early design phase," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    18. García Kerdan, Iván & Raslan, Rokia & Ruyssevelt, Paul & Morillón Gálvez, David, 2017. "A comparison of an energy/economic-based against an exergoeconomic-based multi-objective optimisation for low carbon building energy design," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 244-263.
    19. Lee, Junghun & Kim, Jeonggook & Song, Doosam & Kim, Jonghun & Jang, Cheolyong, 2017. "Impact of external insulation and internal thermal density upon energy consumption of buildings in a temperate climate with four distinct seasons," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 1081-1088.
    20. Nayara R. M. Sakiyama & Joyce C. Carlo & Leonardo Mazzaferro & Harald Garrecht, 2021. "Building Optimization through a Parametric Design Platform: Using Sensitivity Analysis to Improve a Radial-Based Algorithm Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-25, May.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:15:p:8251-:d:600324. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.