An approach to identify the optimal solutions in the context of energy and cost criteria for buildings in different climates

• Main Author: Aslıhan Şenel Solmaz
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: KARE Publishing 2016-12-01
• Series: Megaron
• Subjects: simulation based optimization; building performance simulations; building performance optimization; building energy modeling; building energy performance
• Online Access: https://jag.journalagent.com/z4/download_fulltext.asp?pdir=megaron&un=MEGARON-09609

Buildings are the major energy consumers with a significant effect on energy efficiency improvements around the world. Ensuring energy efficiency in new and existing buildings is gaining momentum with recent initiatives that aim to increase social awareness. Today, there is a wide range of energy efficiency options from design solutions to energy efficient building materials, advanced HVAC systems, and renewable energy technologies. However the identification of optimal and/or most effective set of energy saving solutions within a large decision space for a specific building requires decision-support approaches. In this study, a simulation based multi-objective optimization approach based on the combination of EnergyPlus building performance simulation and GenOpt optimization program is employed to optimize building heating and cooling energy savings, and the cost criterion, Net Present Value (NPV) simultaneously while identifying the optimal set of energy saving solutions. The approach was applied to a hypothetical office building in different climate zones of Turkey (Izmir and Ankara) to demonstrate its applicability. Building envelope components on each façade were selected as decision variables, and an extensive solution space including alternative materials for the external walls, roof, ground floor insulation, different window types and shading system were generated for each decision variable. The results showed that the interaction between the conflicting objectives and the trade-offs should be explored while determining the most suitable building solutions with energy and cost effective manner.