Multi-Objective Optimization of Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort Applying the MOOM Tool in Public Office Buildings in the City of San Juan, Argentina

ARBALLO, BRUNO DAMIÁN; CHUK, DANIEL; ERNESTO KUCHEN

Removing Barriers to Environmental Comfort in the Global South

Springer Nature Switzerland AG

Año: 2023; p. 329 - 344

Buildings are responsible for 40% of the world´s energy demand and CO2 emissions. In Argentina, buildings represent more than 40% of the total annual energy consumption. Energy saving strategies can cause thermal discomfort for building’s inhabitants, compromising their health and performance. The problem centers on an imbalance between providing high quality of life and comfort in interior office spaces and the high energy cost required to meet that objective. Both a high level of comfort and energy savings represent two objectives to be achieved. This paper proposes a new methodology that combines in situ measurement with mathematical simulation tools. Innovative techniques and models are incorporated for the elaboration of MOOM optimization tool, applying thermal-energy multi-objective optimization, which operates dynamically during working hours. Results show significant savings for energy consumption for cooling office spaces in summer, from 57.5% to 83.3%, together with an increase in the quality of thermal comfort, with improvements between 4.7% and 29.4%.