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The Application of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Architecture

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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Sustainability".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 December 2020) | Viewed by 58468

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Francesco Nocera

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Guest Editor

Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
Interests: buildings energy analysis; environmental thermo-fluid dynamics; natural and artificial lighting; environmental and building acoustics; solar energy; heat transfer; energy saving; renewable energy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Prof. Eng. Luigi Marletta

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Guest Editor

Electric, Electronics and Computer Engineering Department, University of Catania
Interests: buildings physics; renewable energy; sustainable energy systems; indoor air quality; HVAC

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent times, the world has become increasingly aware of the significant potential of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) as a replacement for non‐renewable fossil fuel energy. The adoption of building integration of RES can fundamentally change the design methodologies that affect residential and commercial buildings throughout the world. Consequently, architects will have to deal with the architectural integration issues. The application of renewable energy in sustainable architecture is the result of a controlled and coherent integration of the new technologies from all points of view: Functional, constructive and aesthetic. The building has to fulfill a wide and complex set of protection and regulation functions, requiring the use of different structures, components, and HVAC systems. The integration of RES systems in buildings should be studied very carefully for a sustainable development.

This Special Issue aims to contribute an outstanding collection of both research and design practice papers on the integration of renewable energies in Sustainable Architecture in different climates around the world.

Prof. Eng. Francesco Nocera
Prof. Eng. Luigi Marletta
Guest Editors

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Keywords

integration renewable energy resources (biomass; wind; solar; geothermal; heat pump)
sustainable architecture
nearly zero energy buildings
passive buildings
smart buildings
building integrated PV/thermal (BIPV/T)
building integrated PV (BIPV)
building integrated Solar Thermal (BIST)
green buildings
building codes and standards
buildings certification
HVAC
cogeneration, trigeneration, polygeneration
insulation
storage
technical and economic potentials
cost and benefits
foot print
LCA analysis

Published Papers (14 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 10723 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Seismic Coat: A Sustainable and Integrated Approach to the Retrofit of Existing Buildings

by Grazia Lombardo

Sustainability 2021, 13(11), 6466; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13116466 - 07 Jun 2021

Viewed by 1420

Abstract

Within the EU’s environmental policy, redevelopment strategies must be designed by adopting an integrated approach. This approach considers energy savings in buildings and seismic safety as driving forces of economic growth. The recent technological evolution experienced by the construction sector has aimed to define a new building element, the seismic coat. This term refers to a structural “skin” that improves both the seismic safety and the energy efficiency of existing buildings according to standards identified by current regulations. With this regard, research was started with the aim of defining a sustainable seismic coat consisting of dry-assembled panels of natural stone blocks that are prestressed with the use of steel reinforcements. The experimentation carried out on the panel so far has shown significant results as the test building improved in terms of energy savings, seismic safety, sustainability, functionality, and aesthetic quality. By taking a case study of a 1960s building as reference, this paper highlights the findings obtained by the feasibility study of the panel, with a special focus on its technical and construction aspects, and to facilitate its manufacture with the use of industrialized processes. Furthermore, this research provides the installation procedures for the panel components and all relevant details regarding the connections with the existing structure of the building. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Architecture)

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23 pages, 2989 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Italian Architectural Heritage and Photovoltaic Systems. Matching Style with Sustainability

by Stefania De Medici

Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 2108; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13042108 - 16 Feb 2021

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 4723

Abstract

Rehabilitation and management of pre-industrial architectural heritage over time has played a central role in the international scientific debate since the 1970s. In light of the experience gained in this field, the challenge of a controlled and consistent integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) requires a careful reflection on the compatibility criteria between new technologies and traditional building’s identity. Several of these technologies, such as photovoltaic (PV) systems, need to be placed on the building envelope or in appropriate outdoor areas, altering the architectural image and the landscape. Therefore, the characteristics of each building and its context should lead designers to choose solutions able to balance the need for increased energy production from RES with the need for preserving the identity of architectural heritage and landscape. A preliminary evaluation of rehabilitation projects allows to improve building sustainability and, in the meanwhile, to prevent any irreversible alteration of the cultural heritage. With reference to Italian case studies and guidelines for improving sustainability in energy production, the paper leads to identify evaluation criteria for the introduction of PV systems in pre-industrial buildings. Such criteria, which are based on architectural heritage values, allow for assessing the consistency of the building envelope alteration with conservation issues, in projects involving PV and, generally, solar technologies that need to be integrated with the building envelope. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Architecture)

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19 pages, 5470 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integrating Solar Photovoltaics in Residential Buildings: Towards Zero Energy Buildings in Hail City, KSA

by Mohamed Hssan Hassan Abdelhafez, Mabrouk Touahmia, Emad Noaime, Ghazy Abdullah Albaqawy, Khaled Elkhayat, Belkacem Achour and Mustapha Boukendakdji

Sustainability 2021, 13(4), 1845; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13041845 - 08 Feb 2021

Cited by 19 | Viewed by 3048

Abstract

In recent years, most cities have faced great demand for electricity supply due to rapid population growth and industrialization. Supplying sufficient electrical energy, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, is one of the major concerns of policymakers and scientists all over the world. In Saudi Arabia, local authorities are increasingly aware of the necessity of reducing the environmental impact of nonrenewable energy by exploring alternative sustainable energy sources and improving buildings’ energy efficiency. Recently, building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) technology has been regarded as a promising technology for generating instantaneous sustainable energy for buildings. To achieve a substantial contribution regarding zero energy buildings, solar energy should be widely used in residential buildings within the urban context. This paper examines how to achieve an appropriate model for integrating photovoltaics on the rooftop of residential buildings in Hail city to provide alternative energy sources. The estimated rooftop areas in Hail city, utilizable for PV application were calculated. Using PV*SOL simulation software, the performance ratio and the system efficiency, as well as the annual energy output in several tilt angles, were determined and presented. The amount of energy expected when using all effective roof area in the city was also calculated. The amount of CO₂ emissions that could be reduced as a result of using a PV system was estimated. The results show a significant area of rooftop suitable for PV system in residential buildings in Hail city, which exceeds 9 million square meters. On the other hand, the performance ratio and the system efficiency are affected by the tilt angle of the PV module, where the efficiency increases with higher tilt angle, this is due to the PV module temperature, where, with the decrease in the PV module temperature its efficiency increases. The results indicate that the 30° tilt PV produced the highest amount of energy, whereas the 75° tilt PV records the smallest one although it achieves the best possible efficiency. There is a significant amount of energy produced from the use of all residential rooftops in Hail, and there is also a significant reduction in the amount of CO₂ emissions. It is expected that this research would develop innovative building design strategies and specifications allowing for better climate and energy efficiency as well. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Architecture)

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26 pages, 6844 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Clay-Based Products Sustainable Development: Some Applications

by Michele La Noce, Alessandro Lo Faro and Gaetano Sciuto

Sustainability 2021, 13(3), 1364; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13031364 - 28 Jan 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3582

Abstract

Clay has a low environmental impact and can develop into many different products. The research presents two different case studies. In the first, the clay is the binder of raw earth doughs in order to produce clay-bricks. We investigate the effects of natural fibrous reinforcements (rice straws and basalt fibers) in four different mixtures. From the comparison with a mix without reinforcements, it is possible to affirm that the 0.40% of basalt fibers reduce the shrinkage by about 25% and increase the compressive strength by about 30%. Future studies will focus on identifying the fibrous effects on tensile strength and elastic modulus, as well as the optimal percentage of fibers. In the second study, the clay, in form of brick powder (“cocciopesto”), gives high alkaline resistance and breathability performance, as well as rendering and color to the plaster. The latter does not have artificial additives. The plaster respects the cultural instance of the original building. The research underlines how the use of a local (and traditional) material such as clay can be a promoter of sustainability in the contemporary building sector. Future studies must investigate further possible uses of clay as well as a proper regulatory framework. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Architecture)

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25 pages, 2898 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Life-Cycle Assessment and Monetary Measurements for the Carbon Footprint Reduction of Public Buildings

by Maria Rosa Trovato, Francesco Nocera and Salvatore Giuffrida

Sustainability 2020, 12(8), 3460; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12083460 - 23 Apr 2020

Cited by 55 | Viewed by 5740

Abstract

Energy consumption in public buildings increased drastically over the last decade. Significant policy actions towards the promotion of energy efficiency in the building sector have been developed involving sustainable low-CO₂-emission technologies. This paper presents the results of an economic–environmental valuation of a standard energy retrofit project for a public building in a Mediterranean area, integrating a life-cycle assessment (LCA) into the traditional economic–financial evaluation pattern. The study results show that simple retrofit of sustainable low-CO₂-emission strategies such as wooden double-glazed windows, organic external wall insulation systems, and green roofs can reduce energy needs for heating and cooling by 58.5% and 33.4%, respectively. Furthermore, the implementation of an LCA highlights that the use of sustainable materials reduces the building’s carbon footprint index by 54.1% after retrofit compared to standard materials, thus providing an additional increase in the socio-environmental–economic–financial results of 18%. Some proposals are made about the accounting of the replacement costs and the residual value as requested in the logic of life-cycle cost (that is the economic extension of the LCA), namely concerning the method to take into account the replacement costs and the residual value. The economic calculation highlights the fundamental role played by tax benefits supporting the building energy retrofit, also in temperate climate zones, thus allowing the creation of environmental benefits in addition to remarkable cost savings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Architecture)

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18 pages, 2802 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Performance Evaluation of a Desiccant Air Handling System to Maximize Solar Thermal Energy Use in a Hot and Humid Climate

by Makiko Ukai, Masaya Okumiya and Hideki Tanaka

Sustainability 2020, 12(5), 1921; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su12051921 - 03 Mar 2020

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2109

Abstract

A desiccant air handling unit is one of the major types of dehumidification handling systems and requires hot water or hot air to regenerate sorption materials. If solar thermal energy is used as the heat source for regeneration, in general, a backup electrical heater, backup boiler, or combined heat and power (CHP) is installed in order to maintain a stable hot water supply. In this study, effective control is proposed for a desiccant air handling system that uses solar thermal energy (flexible control), and its energy performance is compared to that of a traditional control (the fixed control) through a system simulation. The diurnal behavior shows that the system with a fixed control without a backup boiler cannot process the latent load properly (28 GJ of unprocessed latent load for July and August). On the other hand, the system with a flexible control without a backup boiler is able to process required latent heat load. Based on the fact that the fixed control needs a backup boiler to process the latent load, the system with a fixed control with a backup boiler is considered for the energy performance comparison. The simulation results show that the primary energy-based coefficient of performance (hereafter, COP) of the system with a flexible control without a backup boiler reaches 1.56. On the other hand, the primary energy-based COP of the system with a fixed control with a backup boiler reaches only 1.43. This proves that the flexible control contributes to the higher energy performance of the system and maximizes the use of solar thermal energy more than the fixed control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Architecture)

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31 pages, 5140 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Solar Reflectance and Renewable Energies on Residential Heating and Cooling Demand in Sustainable Architecture: A Case Study in Different Climate Zones in Spain Considering Their Urban Contexts

by Maria-Mar Fernandez-Antolin, José-Manuel del-Río and Roberto-Alonso Gonzalez-Lezcano

Sustainability 2019, 11(23), 6782; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11236782 - 29 Nov 2019

Cited by 17 | Viewed by 4132

Abstract

In this research work, energy simulation was used as a forecasting tool in architectural design. It includes the study of a multi-family residential building in five different climate zones of Spain, i.e., A4 (very hot climate zones), B4 (hot climate zones), C4 (moderate climate zones), D3 (cold climate zones), and E1 (very cold climate zones). The authors accomplished a sensitivity analysis in order to identify the influence of passive strategies (i.e., with regard to solar reflectance) and renewable energy (i.e., with regard to aerothermal energy) on indoor temperatures and energy demands. The increment in indoor temperatures depends on the neighboring buildings so that effect of urban contexts as a source of protection against sunlight is also considered. The increment in the albedo (i.e., the solar reflectance) of the façade during the winter period produces little differences in indoor operative temperatures. On the contrary, during the summer period, it produces large temperature differences. Therefore, it is shown that colors significantly reduce temperatures from 1.24 to 3.04 °C, which means considerable annual energy savings. This research demonstrates that solar reflectance can reduce the air indoor operative temperature down to 4.16 °C during the month of May in the coldest climate zones. As a result of the simulations, it is noted that the coldest climate zones are influenced to a greater extent by the inclusion of their urban contexts in the simulations. However, the heating demand, without considering it, becomes lower. Therefore, ignoring the urban context produces important errors in the heating analysis (12.2% in the coldest climate zones) and also in the cooling analysis (39% in the hottest climate zones). Finally, the use of renewable energy in the configuration of a model with a high urban canyon (Hc), as well as with an east–west building orientation and a low albedo produces a difference of around 76% in the cooling costs within the hottest climate zones and around 73% in the heating costs within the coldest climate zones. The results of this study can be applied as a guideline in early architectural design. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Architecture)

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18 pages, 46286 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Quantification Procedure for Interior Performance of Architectural Openings Associated with Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

by Jae-Hyang Kim and Seung-Hoon Han

Sustainability 2019, 11(22), 6461; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11226461 - 16 Nov 2019

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1817

Abstract

Windows with various colors are important design elements used widely ranging from traditional architecture to contemporary buildings to express the architectural façade, the interior atmosphere, and so on. Recently, there is a possibility that solar cells can be used to replace windows with various colors. In particular, attempts to manufacture windows using Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) are actively underway. Accordingly, there is a need to determine physical and environmental performances of DSSCs. This study attempted a methodological approach to evaluate indoor environmental performance of windows and DSSCs. The concept of color gamut overage normally used in the field of displays was utilized to evaluate color expressions. In addition, a standard visual inspection table suggested by the International Ophthalmological Society was used to evaluate the recognition of shapes. This study compared performances between RGB color windows and DSSCs using the two above previous concepts. Measurement data showed that most DSSCs performed poorly in comparison with architectural color windows. However, some DSSCs showed good enough performances that could be used as alternatives of architectural color windows. Green DSSCs with VLT 18% had a color gamut similar to clear glasses. Blue DSSCs with VLT 18% were found to have similar or better shape recognition than current architectural color windows. Based on these results, limitations of DSSCs as alternatives of architectural color windows and their future development directions are suggested. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Architecture)

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15 pages, 26814 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Personalized Evaporative Cooler to Reduce Energy Consumption and Improve Thermal Comfort in Free-Running Spaces

by Ana Tejero-González and Paula M. Esquivias

Sustainability 2019, 11(22), 6451; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11226451 - 16 Nov 2019

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 3295

Abstract

The need to reduce energy consumption in buildings is imperative, but we must maintain individual thermal comfort of the occupants to ensure their well-being and productivity. Personal conditioning systems (PCS) have been suggested as a strategy to achieve both energy efficiency and thermal comfort, as they are considered to be low-energy consumers, allow increasing set-point temperatures, and give occupants the chance to control their own personal environment. While most warm-environment PCS are based on air-movement devices, the potential of using desk direct evaporative coolers (dDEC) has been scarcely explored. This work presents the results of the characterization of a dDEC and its potential for improving the indoor temperature and thermal comfort in a free-running office space. The study proposes adapted corrective power (CPa) and cooling fan efficiency for evaporative systems (CFEe) indexes. Results show that the dDEC achieves thermal comfort with a local effect, and it is recommended to be positioned directly on the desk surface, orientated to the occupant, and at a certain distance. Under these conditions, the CPa reaches −2.8 °C, involving better CFEe than the desk fans studied in the literature. Speed has little effect on the local air conditions, though it does improve the perception of thermal comfort. The relative humidity of the air does not exceed the recommendable limits, but renovation of the indoor air enables better conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Architecture)

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29 pages, 8801 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Thermal Comfort and Energy Performance of Atrium in Mediterranean Climate

by Reihaneh Aram and Halil Zafer Alibaba

Sustainability 2019, 11(4), 1213; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11041213 - 25 Feb 2019

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4519

Abstract

This paper aims to determine the optimal single-story office building model with a corner atrium regarding different atrium orientations and office-building window-opening ratios in the Mediterranean climate via EDSL Tas software. When window-opening ratios were 25% and 50% at the northeast and southeast orientations of atriums and office spaces, thermal comfort was achieved according to categories B and C, respectively, within the cold season. Additionally, for the northeast atrium orientation with 25%, 137.2 W and 189.5 W of heat loss and gain in the office zone, and 37.7 W and 204.7 W of heat loss and gain in the atrium zone were recorded. Moreover, for the northeast atrium orientation with 50%, 134.5 W and 134.2 W of heat loss and gain in the office zone, and 40 W and 192 W of heat loss and gain in the atrium zone were recorded. On the other hand, for the southeast atrium orientation with 25%, 108.7 W and 143 W of heat loss and gain in the office zone, and 68.8 W and 130 W of heat loss and gain in the atrium zone were recorded, while, with 50%, 111.7 W and 142.7 W of heat loss and gain in the office zone, and 67.5 W and 121.2 W of heat loss and gain in the atrium zone were recorded. In the warm season, the atrium and office spaces were not thermally comfortable. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Architecture)

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20 pages, 22884 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Ancient Use of Natural Geothermal Resources: Analysis of Natural Cooling of 16th Century Villas in Costozza (Italy) as a Reference for Modern Buildings

by Margherita Ferrucci and Fabio Peron

Sustainability 2018, 10(12), 4340; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su10124340 - 22 Nov 2018

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 5116

Abstract

The geothermal cooling system of six 16th century villas in Costozza (Vicenza, Italy) is analysed and modelled using computational fluid dynamics and referring to in-field monitoring data. The system passively cools the villas in summertime by means of underground ducts connected to the caves present in the nearby hills. It still perfectly works in Villa Aeolia, which is analysed here in more detail. The outcomes permit us to better understand the functioning conditions and to improve the conservation of the villas as a whole. Furthermore, the ancient cooling system can be used as a reference for how geothermal renewable resources can be used to improve indoor comfort and limit energy consumption in modern buildings in a temperate climate. A macroscopic analysis of the global airflow system as well as a detailed analysis of Villa Aeolia are developed. All results are validated with analytical methods, numerical methods, and with past experimental records. The system can provide fresh airflow rates that cool the walls of the room and maintain the temperature below 20

^{°}

C even on hot summer days. An advantage is that the system works in a self-adaptive way, the airflow increases when the outdoor temperature increases. This self-adjustment allows us to compare the cooling system to a modern environmental control system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Architecture)

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16 pages, 3269 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Life Cycle Assessment of Solar Façade Concepts Based on Transparent Insulation Materials

by Karel Struhala, Miroslav Čekon and Richard Slávik

Sustainability 2018, 10(11), 4212; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su10114212 - 15 Nov 2018

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3983

Abstract

Contemporary architecture and construction industry are trying to cope with increasing requirements concerning energy efficiency and environmental impacts. One of the available options is the active utilization of energy gains from the environment, specifically solar energy gains. These gains can be utilized by, for example, solar walls and facades. The solar façade concept has been under development for more than a century. However, it has not achieved widespread use for various reasons. Rather recently the concept was enhanced by the application of transparent insulation materials that have the potential to increase the efficiency of such façades. The presented study evaluates the environmental efficiency of 10 solar façade assemblies in the mild climate of the Czech Republic, Central Europe. The evaluated façade assemblies combine the principles of a solar wall with transparent insulation based on honeycomb and polycarbonate panels. The study applies Life-Cycle Assessment methodology to the calculation of environmental impacts related to the life cycle of the evaluated assemblies. The results indicate that even though there are several limiting factors, façade assemblies with transparent insulation have lower environmental impacts compared to a reference assembly with standard thermal insulation. The highest achieved difference is approx. 84% (in favor of the assembly with transparent insulation) during a modelled 50-year façade assembly service life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Architecture)

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21 pages, 2566 KiB

Open AccessReview

Hygrothermal Properties of Raw Earth Materials: A Literature Review

by Giuffrida Giada, Rosa Caponetto and Francesco Nocera

Sustainability 2019, 11(19), 5342; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su11195342 - 27 Sep 2019

Cited by 66 | Viewed by 5926

Abstract

Raw earth historic and contemporary architectures are renowned for their good environmental properties of recyclability and low embodied energy along the production process. Earth massive walls are universally known to be able to regulate indoor thermal and hygroscopic conditions containing energy consumptions, creating comfortable interior spaces with a low carbon footprint. Therefore, earth buildings are de facto green buildings. As a result of this, some earthen technologies have been rediscovered and implemented to be adapted to the contemporary building production sector. Nevertheless, the diffusion of contemporary earthen architecture is decelerated by the lack of broadly accepted standards on its anti-seismic and thermal performance. Indeed, the former issue has been solved using high-tensile materials inside the walls or surface reinforcements on their sides to improve their flexural strength. The latter issue is related to the penalization of earth walls thermal behavior in current regulations, which tent to evaluate only the steady-state performance of building components, neglecting the benefit of heat storage and hygrothermal buffering effect provided by massive and porous envelopes as raw earth ones. In this paper, we show the results of a paper review concerning the hygrothermal performance of earthen materials for contemporary housing: great attention is given to the base materials which are used (inorganic soils, natural fibers, and mineral or recycled aggregates, chemical stabilizers), manufacturing procedures (when described), performed tests and final performances. Different earth techniques (adobe, cob, extruded bricks, rammed earth, compressed earth blocks, light earth) have been considered in order to highlight that earth material can act both as a conductive and insulating meterial depending on how it is implemented, adapting to several climate contests. The paper aims to summarize current progress in the improvement of thermal performance of raw earth traditional mixes, discuss the suitability of existing measurement protocols for hygroscopic and natural materials and provide guidance for further researches. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Architecture)

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29 pages, 8874 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

The Combination of Building Greenery and Photovoltaic Energy Production—A Discussion of Challenges and Opportunities in Design

by Irene Zluwa and Ulrike Pitha

Sustainability 2021, 13(3), 1537; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/su13031537 - 01 Feb 2021

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5640

Abstract

In the case of building surfaces, the installation of green roofs or green facades can be used to reduce the temperature of the environment and the building. In addition, introducing photovoltaic energy production will help to reduce CO₂ emissions. Both approaches (building greenery and photovoltaic energy production) compete, as both of them are located on the exterior of buildings. This paper aims to give an overview of solutions for the combination of building greenery (BG) systems and photovoltaic (PV) panels. Planning principles for different applications are outlined in a guideline for planning a sustainable surface on contemporary buildings. A comprehensive literature review was done. Identified solutions of combinations were systematically analysed and discussed in comparison with additional relevant literature. The main findings of this paper were: (A) BG and PV systems with low sub-construction heights require shallow substrates/low growing plants, whereas in the case of the combination of (a semi)-intensive GR system, a distance of a minimum 60 cm between the substrate surface and lower panel edge is recommended; (B) The cooling effect of the greenery depends on the distance between the PV and the air velocity; (C) if the substrate is dry, there is no evapotranspiration and therefore no cooling effect; (D) A spectrum of different PV systems, sub-constructions, and plants for the combination of BG and PV is necessary and suitable for different applications shown within the publication. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Application of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Architecture)

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