Passive design optimization towards nearly zero energy buildings

D'AMANZO MICAELA ; ANDREONI TRENTACOSTE, SOLEDAD; MONTIEL, VIRGINIA GLORIA ; BETMAN ALICIA; GANEM CAROLINA

Santiago de Chile

Congreso; 36* PASSIVE AND LOW ENERGY ARCHITECTURE (PLEA); 2022

PLEA

A way of achieving greenhouse gas emissions is through a combination of cutting energy demand in buildings through increased energy efficiency and a wider deployment of renewable technologies. Nearly Net Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB) turn up as a possible response path. The present study investigates the operational performance of a low energy office building in continental semi-arid climate, and the integration of passive design strategies to meet nZEB requirements. It focuses on the study of the thermal and energy performance of the building under summer conditions. Environmental measurements were performed during the year 2021. Meanwhile, ER generation data was collected. A simulation model was developed in Energy Plus software. The model was run improving the passive strategies of night ventilative cooling and solar protection. Results show that the lack of adequate solar protections favours the overheating of the interior spaces during the hours in which the solar radiation falls directly on the façade. Regarding energy demand, there is a high consumption of electricity for the air conditioning of the rooms to maintain indoor thermal comfort. A consumption of 30 kWh/m2/year was achieved through the passive design optimization proposal meeting nZEB requirements.