Parametric Design to Maximize Solar Irradiation and Minimize the Embodied GHG Emissions for a ZEB in Nordic and Mediterranean Climate Zones

Abstract

This work presents a validated workflow based on an algorithm developed in Grasshopper to parametrically control the building’s shape, by maximizing the solar irradiation incident on the building envelope and minimizing the embodied emissions. The algorithm is applied to a zero-emission building concept in Nordic and Mediterranean climate zones. The algorithm enables conducting both energy and environmental assessments through Ladybug tools. The emissions embodied in materials and the solar irradiation incident on the building envelope were estimated in the early design stage. A three-steps optimization process through evolutionary solvers, such as Galapagos (one-objective) and Octopus (multi-objective), has been conducted to shape the most environmentally responsive ZEB model in both climates. The results demonstrated the replicability of the algorithm to optimize the solar irradiation by producing an increment of solar incident irradiation equal to 35% in the Mediterranean area, and to 20% in the Nordic climate. This could contribute to compensate the additional 15% of emissions due to the higher quantities of employed materials in the optimized design. The developed approach, which is based on the parametric design principles for ZEBs, represents a support instrument for designers to develop highly efficient energy solutions in the early design stages.

Towards Zero: A Review on Strategies in Achieving Net-Zero-Energy and Net-Zero-Carbon Buildings

“…A parametric design was adopted in a nZEB located in both Nordic and Mediterranean Climate Zones [37,38], specifically engineered to be climate-responsive. This approach aims to minimize the embodied GHG emissions while optimizing solar irradiation.…”

LCA and Scenario Analysis of Building Carbon Emission Reduction: The Influencing Factors of the Carbon Emission of a Photovoltaic Curtain Wall

“…et al [23] quantified the carbon reduction effect of a photovoltaic building renovation project in northern China, while Wei Jiang et al [24] transformed existing rural houses in a severely cold area of China into zero-energy buildings through overall passive energy-saving transformation and technical innovation. Pengfei Si et al [25] explored the suitability of solar photovoltaic buildings for typical office buildings in cold plateau areas, while Mattia Manni et al [26] investigated the minimum building form to maximize solar energy utilization and minimize carbon emissions. Despite these efforts, there is still a lack of research on the influencing factors of the carbon reduction effect of photovoltaic buildings, indicating the need for further investigation in this area.…”

A generative design-to-BIM workflow for minimum weight plane truss design

“…In Galapagos, fitness functions can be defined with criteria that represent the maximum, minimum, or search for a specific numerical value (Kruchten, 2003). Recent examples of the use of Galapagos in AEC research include (Manni, Lobaccaro, Lolli, & Bohne, 2020) which present a workflow based on an algorithm developed in Grasshopper to parametrically control the building's shape, by maximizing the solar irradiation incident on the building envelope and minimizing the embodied emissions, (Wang, Wu, & Bai, 2022) where the authors propose a method of generating the regular axis from irregular column grids and aim to develop an automatic solution that is repeatable and transplantable.…”