Investigation into the thermal comfort and some passive strategies for traditional architecture of Li nationality in South China

This study analysed the performance of a hot-water pipe (HWP) and fan-coil units (FCUs) in controlling microclimate conditions in a net-zero energy greenhouse (NZEG). The performance of a previously developed TraNsient SYstem Simulation (TRNSYS) model for the NZEG was enhanced to include a crop model and several HWP emission standards, and the improved TRNSYS model was used to analyse heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems for different greenhouse sizes in the Republic of Korea. Further, an economic analysis was conducted. The model validation showed excellent agreement between the measured and simulated values, with Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency of 0.98. The presence of crop in the simulation model reduced the total heating load by 14.5 MWh and increased the cooling load by 4 MWh. The capacity of the FCU was increased as the outside temperature rose from 33.4[Formula: see text] to 36.4[Formula: see text] in summer, and the diameter of the HWP was decreased from 25A to 10A as the outside temperature rose from −21.7[Formula: see text] to −12.2[Formula: see text] in winter to maintain the greenhouse at the desired temperature of 15[Formula: see text]. Notably, the payback period was reduced by 9 years when the annual savings in heating energy costs and revenue from carbon trading were considered as a part of the net economic cash flow.

Energy-economic-environmental analysis of a net-zero energy greenhouse with fan-coil units and hot-water pipes: Experiment and modelling

Adesanya,

Na,

Kim

et al. 2024

Measurement of the indoor environment and heating energy consumption of a passive office building in severely cold region, China

Wang,

Liu,

Yao

et al. 2024

Passive ultra-low energy buildings represent an effective strategy for energy conservation and emission reduction within the global building industry. The prolonged and cold winters in severely cold regions of China necessitate substantial heating energy consumption. The study utilized a combination of overall surveys and long-term tracking surveys to evaluate the indoor environment and energy consumption in a passive office building situated in severely cold region under different heating modes over 2 years. The results show that the average temperature and indoor air quality (IAQ) can meet the standards at most moments. However, the average relative humidity tends to fall below the specified lower limit. Nevertheless, the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) index suggests that the indoor environment provides a comfortable thermal experience for humans. The heat pump air conditioning (HPAC) system operation revealed that when the outdoor air temperature fell below −7°C, the coefficient of performance (COP) of the air source heat pump units would deteriorate. Implementing intermittent heating during the second year can reduce heating energy consumption by 13.4 kWh/(m2·a), resulting in 38.9% energy savings. These findings will serve as a valuable reference for the design and operation of heating systems in passive buildings in severely cold regions.

Thermo-energetic performance of two dwellings during a heat wave in the Buenos Aires province, Argentina: On-site response assessment and adaptation strategies testing

Chévez

2024

This study evaluates the effects of heat waves on habitability conditions, energy consumption and cooling expenses through on-site measurements in two houses in Buenos Aires Province: an urban house located in La Plata, with low thermal quality of the envelope and two air conditioners; and a rural one in Brandsen, with an intermediate thermal quality of the envelope and one fan. Energy strategies were simulated on both houses that, simultaneously, allow the adaptation to heat waves and reduce, or generate the least possible, impact on electricity grids: a photovoltaic (PV) system and a ground source heat pump (GSHP) system. Both locations experienced similar average outdoor temperatures (∼28°C), but La Plata had fewer fluctuations due to heat accumulation in built surroundings. Indoor temperatures were comparable (∼29°C living spaces/∼27°C bedrooms), but the house in La Plata experienced lower thermal fluctuations due to its air-conditioning (ACs) and outdoor temperatures. Average heat index values were alike (∼30°C living spaces/∼29°C bedrooms). Although La Plata’s dwelling had ACs, results show the influence of envelope performance and nighttime ventilation in the Brandsen’s rural setting. Adaptation assessment revealed that PV and GSHP systems are adequate measures to face heat waves; however, they require important incentives to achieve massiveness.