Benefit analysis of air conditioning systems using multiple energy sources in public buildings

Zheng, Xin; Li, Hongqi; Yu, Miao; Li, Gang; Shang, Qi-Ming

doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.04.078

Cited by 32 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The type of AC equipment used in these target schools is Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP). A typical ASHP uses a vapor compression cycle with an evaporator, compressor, condenser, and expansion valve ( Zheng et al, 2016 ). ASHP is a heating system with many advantages, such as having relatively stable performance and energy-saving potential ( Wang et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research on air conditioning energy use and indoor thermal environment with Private Finance Initiative data monitoring of junior high schools before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

et al. 2023

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Research on air conditioning energy use and indoor thermal environment with Private Finance Initiative data monitoring of junior high schools before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

et al. 2023

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“…(2) with , the thermal conductivity in W.m -1 .K -1 (3) with w, the width of the wall in m and (4) with p perimeter in m.…”

Section: Calculation Of Energy Savingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Design of a Solar AC System Including a PCM Storage for Sustainable Resorts in Tropical Region

Byrne¹,

Putra²,

Maré³

et al. 2019

Evergreen

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Environmental concerns worldwide (climate change, global warming, etc.) are pushing to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. The building sector is responsible for a third of greenhouse gas emissions (40% in France). In tropical countries, the main share of energy consumption in buildings is due to air conditioning systems. Indeed, in a resort of high standing, 60% of energy consumption is due to air conditioning. In the Indonesian context, which welcomes growing real estate projects on more or less isolated islands, it becomes important to put in place passive or autonomous buildings and the corresponding energy solutions. The energy efficiency of buildings is based on two pillars: an efficient building's design and on the effectiveness of the air conditioning system to achieve energy independency in a tropical environment. Considering the decreasing cost of PV cells, the solution to reduce the energy consumption of air conditioning proposed in this article covers a vapour-compression refrigeration system electrically powered by solar cells. To avoid the use of electric batteries, not sustainable in terms of carbon footprint (construction and recycling of batteries) and to overcome the problem of intermittency of solar energy, the choice fell on a variable speed compressor and a storage in a mixture of fatty acids (derived from coconut oil) as phase change material embedded in expanded graphite. The work also focuses on the energy performance of the storage system. This study describes the context and the air conditioning system chosen as a solution for a sustainable resort application in a tropical region. The design and characterization of the coupled PCM and compressed expanded graphite in a latent heat thermal energy storage is also detailed. It uses a TRNSYS simulation for the assessment of the cooling demand. Calculations for a prototype of 25 m 2 apartment showed that with a chiller of 8000 W and a surface of 14 m 2 of photovoltaic panels, it is possible to cool a hotel bedroom with solar energy. The consortium members work jointly at designing and optimizing the system: Indonesian members are focused on the PCM storage and French members are more dedicated to the hygrothermal behaviour of the hotel bedrooms.

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“…The use of air-conditioning equipment to achieve indoor thermal comfort in buildings is, therefore, becoming common, particularly in warm humid climates (Opoku et al , 2019). In most developing countries, studies have shown that air-conditioning equipment are the largest electricity-consuming devices and can consume over 50% of the total energy consumption in commercial and public buildings (Opoku et al ., 2018; Xu et al , 2020; Zheng et al , 2016). Research and development of energy management and conservation measures to reduce electricity consumption and emissions associated with air conditioners (ACs) in buildings have, therefore, been proposed (Liu et al , 2020; Opoku et al , 2018; Zhou et al , 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of occupant behaviour in the use of air-conditioners in public buildings in developing countries: evidence from Ghana

Ahadzie

Opoku

Ware

et al. 2020

IJBPA

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PurposeThe use of air-conditioners (ACs) is on the increase in the developing world, with exacerbating compounding effect on carbon footprints. With this development, there is the expectation that developing countries would begin to appreciate and understand occupant behaviours in the use of ACs towards combating climate change, especially as building energy consumption is heavily influenced by the behaviour of its occupants. This study aims to identify occupant behaviours that leads to efficient use of ACs in public buildings so that these can be factored into developing guidelines for improving energy efficiency in buildings.Design/methodology/approachDrawing on the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), survey questionnaire was used to collect data in office buildings in Kumasi, Ghana. Partial least squares–structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis was employed for the analysis.FindingsSwitching on fan(s) as alternative to ACs has a path coefficient of 0.527, suggesting that it will have the most positive impact on energy consumption as far as AC use is concerned. The second occupant behaviour with a positive impact on energy consumption for AC use is opening windows for natural ventilation accounting for 0.351 significant path coefficient. Wearing of light or heavy clothing as a means of conserving energy achieved 0.174 impact coefficient while occupant behaviour of switching off ACs when leaving the room came last in the ranking, with an impact coefficient of 0.146. TBP is validated in this model, given that all the four occupant behaviours had their perceived behavioural control (PBC) having less impact on the behaviour compared to the behavioural attitude (BA) and the subjective norm (SN).Research limitations/implicationsThis research focused on public buildings used as offices, and the findings may not be applicable to private company buildings and also residential properties. Given that Ghana and, for that matter, many developing countries rely heavily on thermal plant for electricity generation, the climate change implications of the findings are discussed.Practical implicationsIt is recommended that behaviours of occupants should be considered and factored in building energy predictions to bridge the energy performance gap. Subsequently, project managers, designers and energy consultants are encouraged to provide fans and openable windows in offices, even if there is going to be an air-conditioning provisions.Originality/valueOriginality emanates from the paper being at the forefront of helping to understand occupants' behaviour in the use ACs and associated climate change implications in a developing country context. One of the new variables introduced, switching on fans as an alternative to ACs, achieved the highest path coefficient and has important implication for occupant behaviour in the use of ACs in the literature.

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Benefit analysis of air conditioning systems using multiple energy sources in public buildings

Cited by 32 publications

References 25 publications

Research on air conditioning energy use and indoor thermal environment with Private Finance Initiative data monitoring of junior high schools before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

Research on air conditioning energy use and indoor thermal environment with Private Finance Initiative data monitoring of junior high schools before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan

Design of a Solar AC System Including a PCM Storage for Sustainable Resorts in Tropical Region

Analysis of occupant behaviour in the use of air-conditioners in public buildings in developing countries: evidence from Ghana

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