Effectivity-ecosphere-economics in nZEB retrofit procedures

Laminated glazing for buildings: energy saving, natural daylighting, and CO2 emission mitigation prospective

Operational energy use and energy-based GHG emissions of air-conditioning in the building sector are increasing aggressively due to occupants' higher thermal and visual comfort aspirations. Window glazing is the critical building component that affects the thermal performance of the conditioned space. The existing glazing in the buildings allows huge heat gain/loss, leading to additional energy requirements for HVAC systems. Novel laminated glasses with various solar control film interlayers were studied in this article to improve the thermal performance of the conditioned space. Solar-optical properties and thermal indices of proposed laminated glasses were explored to study the potential energy savings and carbon emission mitigations. Thermal loads and energy savings were calculated with the help of a validated mathematical model across three distinct Indian climates (hot, cold, and composite). Substantial reductions in heat gain/loss and energy requirements were found with laminated glasses compared to monolithic clear glass. The laminated glass with reflective solar control film glazing (LG_RF) had concluded a cost saving of 100.84 $/year with a payback period of 1.7 years for cold climate in S-E orientation. CO₂ emission mitigation of building with laminated glasses was calculated for the energies conserved with carbon emission factors. The LG_RF had reported a carbon emission mitigation of 2.1 tCO₂/year for cold climates and comparable results for hot and composite climates. Daylight performance was carried out with the DesignBuilder simulation tool to assess the daylight accession in building interiors with laminated glasses. The laminated glasses were able to reduce annual energy requirements without greatly affecting the daylight inflow.

The impacts of economic and environmental factors on sustainable mega project development: role of community satisfaction and social media

This study examines the impacts of different economic, environmental, and social factors on sustainable China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) development in the context of the CPEC, a multi-billion-dollar mega project. By applying the social exchange theory, this study tested the relationship between economic and environmental impacts through community satisfaction on sustainable CPEC development. This study used social media use as moderator in the relationship between community satisfaction and sustainable CPEC development. The quantitative methods were applied in this study. The data were collected through an online survey from 254 residents along the CPEC route in Pakistan, and structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was applied for analysis. Results suggested that economic benefits are positively related with community satisfaction which is related with sustainable CPEC development; however, environmental impacts were not significant. Furthermore, social media use related to CPEC development moderated the relationship between community satisfaction and sustainable CPEC development. Findings of this study suggest how economic benefits and community satisfaction can enhance the reputation of sustainable CPEC development resulting in a positive image of this mega project in the minds of local population. Furthermore, positive impact of this mega project can be created by using effective social media policies.

Smart Energy Solutions as an Indispensable Multi-Criteria Input for a Coherent Urban Planning and Building Design Process—Two Case Studies for Smart Office Buildings in Warsaw Downtown Area

The introduction of parametric tools has made a strong shift within a traditional approach to urban planning and building design, including the creation of a design awareness zone where environmental issues are concerned. This approach also uses sufficient data to be used already at the concept stage and provides initial interdisciplinary solutions. Analyses from the very initial stages allow the inclusion of smart energy choices influencing the massing, architectural features, proportions, flexibility of design, and economics. This is only a threshold; there is still a place for further development and more accurate analyses leading to the construction of buildings and urban areas with a stronger input of sustainable solutions, as existing approaches have certain limitations. This path has been followed in several research grants conducted at the Faculty of Architecture Warsaw University of Technology, and later on developed as a co-operation area with various stakeholders. Outside the general state of art, this paper will include two case studies which were provided as a concept design for prospective investors. Both locations are in the Warsaw Downtown Area, and analyses include algorithmic models dealing with the optimisation of the buildings’ forms, urban scale sun radiation levels, shadow and wind analyses indicating use of sunlight energy and wind as alternative energy sources. One of the case studies contains Pareto Front including both single- and multi-criteria optimization methods for analysing energy and economic efficiency issues, pointing out the best case solutions.