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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
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. 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.
    5. 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.
    6. 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.
    7. 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.
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    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.

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