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Transforming a Historic Public Office Building in the Centre of Rome into nZEB: Limits and Potentials

Author

Listed:
  • Fabrizio Cumo

    (CITERA Interdepartmental Centre, Sapienza University of Rome, 00197 Rome, Italy)

  • Fabio Nardecchia

    (Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE), Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy)

  • Sofia Agostinelli

    (Department of Astronautical, Electrical and Energy Engineering (DIAEE), Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy)

  • Flavio Rosa

    (CITERA Interdepartmental Centre, Sapienza University of Rome, 00197 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

According to the last census of 2019, about two million Italian buildings are more than 100 years old. Building energy retrofitting involves a diverse mix of influencing factors, depending on history, intended use, and construction techniques. This paper aims to assess the energy needs of a historic building by evaluating the variability of climatic conditions and internal loads, as well as the thermal capacity of the building envelope. The energy analysis was conducted using dynamic simulation systems (TRNSYS). The purpose of the study is to provide an analysis of the current energy conditions of the building to identify the main critical issues and suggest the most suitable interventions to be implemented. All the transformations were conducted to meet the nZEB requirements and evaluate technical and economic feasibility, compatibility with architectural and landscape constraints, and large-scale replicability. Specifically, to reach the proposed targets, a 36 kWp PV system was implemented for an area of 210 m 2 , in addition to the Air Handling Unit (AHU) already present. The profit index is above the unit, and it yields a time range between three and four years. Therefore, fully respecting the energy performance parameters required by the Italian legislation, the study demonstrated the unattainability of the nZEB class for a listed building.

Suggested Citation

  • Fabrizio Cumo & Fabio Nardecchia & Sofia Agostinelli & Flavio Rosa, 2022. "Transforming a Historic Public Office Building in the Centre of Rome into nZEB: Limits and Potentials," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-26, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:3:p:697-:d:727796
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Webb, Amanda L., 2017. "Energy retrofits in historic and traditional buildings: A review of problems and methods," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 748-759.
    2. Mavromatidis, Lazaros Elias & Bykalyuk, Anna & Lequay, Hervé, 2013. "Development of polynomial regression models for composite dynamic envelopes’ thermal performance forecasting," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 379-391.
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    Cited by:

    1. Volkova, Anna & Krupenski, Igor & Kovtunova, Natalja & Hlebnikov, Aleksandr & Mašatin, Vladislav & Ledvanov, Aleksandr, 2023. "Converting Tallinn's historic centre's (Old Town) heating system to a district heating system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).

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