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The Energy Efficiency Post-COVID-19 in China’s Office Buildings

Author

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  • Carlos C. Duarte

    (Building Science, Technology and Sustainability Lab, CIAUD—Research Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Design, Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon, Sá Nogueira Street, University Campus, Alto da Ajuda, 1349-063 Lisbon, Portugal)

  • Nuno D. Cortiços

    (Building Science, Technology and Sustainability Lab, CIAUD—Research Centre for Architecture, Urbanism and Design, Lisbon School of Architecture, University of Lisbon, Sá Nogueira Street, University Campus, Alto da Ajuda, 1349-063 Lisbon, Portugal)

Abstract

China promptly took the leading step to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, producing the first scientific guidelines assuming health above energy consumption and significantly changing HVAC/AHU operation. The research intended to fulfill the gap by measuring the impact of the guidelines on energy use intensity, CO 2 emissions, and energy operation costs related to workplaces. The guidelines are long-term sector and industry trends following occupants’ health and safety concerns, and today they are applied to nursing homes. The research extended the study to post-COVID-19 scenarios by crossing those settings with published reports on telework predictions. The methodology resorts to Building Energy Simulation software to assess the Chinese standard large office building on 8 climate zones and 17 subzones between pre- and post-COVID-19 scenarios under those guidelines. The outcomes suggest an upward trend in energy use intensity (11.70–12.46%), CO 2 emissions (11.13–11.76%), and costs (9.37–9.89%) for buildings located in “warm/mixed” to “subarctic” climates, especially in colder regions with high heating demands. On the other hand, the figures for “very hot” to “hot/warm” climates lower the energy use intensity (14.76–15.47%), CO 2 emissions (9%), and costs (9.64–9.77%).

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos C. Duarte & Nuno D. Cortiços, 2022. "The Energy Efficiency Post-COVID-19 in China’s Office Buildings," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 4(1), pages 1-60, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jcltec:v:4:y:2022:i:1:p:12-233:d:762567
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    References listed on IDEAS

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