Global Prospects, Advance Technologies and Policies of Energy-Saving and Sustainable Building Systems: A Review

Abstract

Automation, modernization, economic development and global progress depends on efficient extraction and utilization of energy. Power generation by burning fossil fuels makes various adverse impacts on the environment. Additionally, the worldwide fossil fuel reserve is limited and depleting very fast. Hence, efficient energy usage and savings are crucial to address the environmental issues to ensure sustainable development. Buildings, both commercial and residential, represent a major energy consumption sector. Approximately 40% of the total energy is reportedly consumed in the building sector. Worldwide building energy consumption, performance measuring systems and best practices, energy-saving techniques and policies are reviewed and summarized in this article. Underfloor air distribution, double-glazed windows, use of highly efficient electric motors and variable speed drives may play a great role in reducing building energy consumption. In the UK, the application of double-glazed windows in commercial buildings can save 39–53% energy. The proper maintenance of a building’s central heating system can save up to 11% energy. The automatic HVAC control system can reduce up to 20% of the building’s total heating load. Proper utilization of a VSD system in motor and building performance optimization by an ANOVA tool also proved instrumental in saving energy. Apart from this, the building codes of different countries also help to improve building performance by reducing energy consumption. This study will help building researchers and policymakers to make a framework for sustainable, green building.

Review of energy-efficient HVAC technologies for sustainable buildings

“…These technologies not only contribute to reducing energy consumption and operational costs but also enhance indoor comfort and air quality while minimizing environmental impact. As buildings account for a significant portion of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, the adoption of energy-efficient HVAC technologies is essential for achieving sustainability goals (Akram, et. al., 2022, Asim, et.…”

Impregnation of Activated Carbon with Organic Phase-Change Material

“…Consequently, renewable energy sources such as solar heat, solar power, and wind energy are being researched as viable substitutes for fossil fuels [ 3 , 4 ]. However, the infrastructure required to convert these energy sources into electricity means that they have limitations as commercial power sources [ 5 ]. For example, it is costly to overcome challenges such as variable energy density and unpredictable generation frequency.…”

“…For example, it is costly to overcome challenges such as variable energy density and unpredictable generation frequency. Rather than building large-scale power generation facilities with high initial investment and low energy efficiency, thermal storage systems are attracting attention [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Among them, thermal storage systems utilizing phase-change materials (PCMs) are particularly promising, offering non-polluting, sustainable solutions with high thermal storage density [ 8 , 9 ].…”

Fuzzy gray clustering evaluation of green building operation effect: a case study of Shenzhen Bay One, China

“…, 2021). Several scholars have compared the rating standards of green building performance in different countries and analyzed their pros and cons (Nasim and Mehdi, 2021; Akram et al. , 2022).…”

“…Some scholars have analyzed the design characteristics of green buildings and applied this design concept to residential design (Leilei, 2021;Ali et al, 2021;Manoj et al, 2021). Several scholars have compared the rating standards of green building performance in different countries and analyzed their pros and cons (Nasim and Mehdi, 2021;Akram et al, 2022). The current research on green buildings in China is shown in Figure 1 (Lin et al, 2021).…”