A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Feasibility and retrofit guidelines towards net-zero energy buildings in tropical climates: A case of Ghana
Highlights Retrofitting existing buildings to Net-Zero Energy Buildings remains a critical challenge. Effective energy efficiency measures could reduce about 50% of building energy needs in tropical climates. Tropical climates have the potential for renewable energy generation to achieve NZEBs. Rooftop solar PV system generated sufficient energy to offset the remaining energy demand. Solar PV energy generation is economically viable within a payback period of 6–10 years.
Abstract Constructing and retrofitting buildings into net-zero energy has become an important strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions; however, its implementation remains a critical challenge, particularly with existing buildings retrofit. This study investigates the feasibility and proposes retrofit guidelines that achieve net-zero energy targets for existing buildings in a tropical climate. A two-storey residential building, a typical archetype model in Ghana, was analyzed systematically using parametric simulation. The calibrated model was used to determine energy efficiency interventions and renewable energy potential for achieving Net-Zero Energy Building (NZEB) across four major climate zones. The results showed that passive design strategies such as natural ventilation, sun-shading, daylighting, and envelope airtightness transformed the case building with an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 136–138 kWh/m2/yr to 68–70 kWh/m2/yr, therefore reducing 48–50% of total energy demand. Subsequently, a solar PV system was scaled to cover the remaining energy needs with a payback period of 6–10 years, thus transforming the building into NZEB and even to “net-positive energy” (i.e., building generating more energy than it consumes). The study demonstrates that it is feasible to achieve the NZEB target in existing residential buildings in the tropical climate of Ghana. This study’s novelty is that it offers retrofit interventions and adequate retrofit guidelines for renovating residential buildings into NZEBs.
Feasibility and retrofit guidelines towards net-zero energy buildings in tropical climates: A case of Ghana
Highlights Retrofitting existing buildings to Net-Zero Energy Buildings remains a critical challenge. Effective energy efficiency measures could reduce about 50% of building energy needs in tropical climates. Tropical climates have the potential for renewable energy generation to achieve NZEBs. Rooftop solar PV system generated sufficient energy to offset the remaining energy demand. Solar PV energy generation is economically viable within a payback period of 6–10 years.
Abstract Constructing and retrofitting buildings into net-zero energy has become an important strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions; however, its implementation remains a critical challenge, particularly with existing buildings retrofit. This study investigates the feasibility and proposes retrofit guidelines that achieve net-zero energy targets for existing buildings in a tropical climate. A two-storey residential building, a typical archetype model in Ghana, was analyzed systematically using parametric simulation. The calibrated model was used to determine energy efficiency interventions and renewable energy potential for achieving Net-Zero Energy Building (NZEB) across four major climate zones. The results showed that passive design strategies such as natural ventilation, sun-shading, daylighting, and envelope airtightness transformed the case building with an Energy Use Intensity (EUI) of 136–138 kWh/m2/yr to 68–70 kWh/m2/yr, therefore reducing 48–50% of total energy demand. Subsequently, a solar PV system was scaled to cover the remaining energy needs with a payback period of 6–10 years, thus transforming the building into NZEB and even to “net-positive energy” (i.e., building generating more energy than it consumes). The study demonstrates that it is feasible to achieve the NZEB target in existing residential buildings in the tropical climate of Ghana. This study’s novelty is that it offers retrofit interventions and adequate retrofit guidelines for renovating residential buildings into NZEBs.
Feasibility and retrofit guidelines towards net-zero energy buildings in tropical climates: A case of Ghana
Ohene, Eric (author) / Hsu, Shu-Chien (author) / Chan, Albert P.C. (author)
Energy and Buildings ; 269
2022-06-10
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Net-Zero Energy Building , NZEB , Building retrofit , Energy efficiency , Tropical climate , Ghana , BMS , Building Management Systems , HVAC , Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning , EEMs , Energy Efficiency Measures , REMs , Renewable Energy Measures , GSHP , Ground-Source Heat Pump , ASHP , Air-Source Heat Pump , BIPV , Building-Integrated Photovoltaic , BIWT , Building-Integrated Wind Turbine , EUI , Energy Use Intensity , ASHRAE , American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers , LCOE , Levelized Cost of Energy
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