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Exergy As a Measure of Sustainable Retrofitting of Buildings

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  • Carlos Fernández Bandera

    (School of Architecture, University of Navarra, 31009 Pamplona, Spain)

  • Ana Fei Muñoz Mardones

    (School of Architecture, University of Navarra, 31009 Pamplona, Spain)

  • Hu Du

    (Welsh School of Architecture, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3NB, UK)

  • Juan Echevarría Trueba

    (School of Architecture, University of Navarra, 31009 Pamplona, Spain)

  • Germán Ramos Ruiz

    (School of Architecture, University of Navarra, 31009 Pamplona, Spain)

Abstract

This study presents a novel optimization methodology for choosing optimal building retrofitting strategies based on the concept of exergy analysis. The study demonstrates that the building exergy analysis may open new opportunities in the design of an optimal retrofit solution despite being a theoretical approach based on the high performance of a Carnot reverse cycle. This exergy-based solution is different from the one selected through traditional efficient retrofits where minimizing energy consumption is the primary selection criteria. The new solution connects the building with the reference environment, which acts as “an unlimited sink or unlimited sources of energy”, and it adapts the building to maximize the intake of energy resources from the reference environment. The building hosting the School of Architecture at the University of Navarra has been chosen as the case study building. The unique architectural appearance and bespoke architectural characteristics of the building limit the choices of retrofitting solutions; therefore, retrofitting solutions on the façade, roof, roof skylight and windows are considered in multi-objective optimization using the jEPlus package. It is remarkable that different retrofitting solutions have been obtained for energy-driven and exergy-driven optimization, respectively. Considering the local contexts and all possible reference environments for the building, three “unlimited sinks or unlimited sources of energy” are selected for the case study building to explore exergy-driven optimization: the external air, the ground in the surrounding area and the nearby river. The evidence shows that no matter which reference environment is chosen, an identical envelope retrofitting solution has been obtained.

Suggested Citation

  • Carlos Fernández Bandera & Ana Fei Muñoz Mardones & Hu Du & Juan Echevarría Trueba & Germán Ramos Ruiz, 2018. "Exergy As a Measure of Sustainable Retrofitting of Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:11:p:3139-:d:182488
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Valentina Bonetti & Georgios Kokogiannakis, 2017. "Dynamic Exergy Analysis for the Thermal Storage Optimization of the Building Envelope," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-19, January.
    2. Ramos Ruiz, Germán & Fernández Bandera, Carlos & Gómez-Acebo Temes, Tomás & Sánchez-Ostiz Gutierrez, Ana, 2016. "Genetic algorithm for building envelope calibration," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 691-705.
    3. Diakaki, Christina & Grigoroudis, Evangelos & Kabelis, Nikos & Kolokotsa, Dionyssia & Kalaitzakis, Kostas & Stavrakakis, George, 2010. "A multi-objective decision model for the improvement of energy efficiency in buildings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 5483-5496.
    4. Abdel-Salam, M.S. & El-Dib, A.F. & Eissa, M.A., 1991. "Prediction of ground-level solar radiation in Egypt," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 1(2), pages 269-276.
    5. Ramos Ruiz, Germán & Fernández Bandera, Carlos, 2017. "Analysis of uncertainty indices used for building envelope calibration," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P1), pages 82-94.
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    Cited by:

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