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• A novel MOF-based paper sheet was developed for passive indoor moisture control. • The MOF paper sheet has excellent moisture buffer capacity and mechanical properties. • A numerical model was developed to find the optimal thickness of the MOF paper sheet. • The energy-saving potential of wallpaper made of MOF paper sheet was investigated. Passive indoor moisture control is a meaningful way to reduce HVAC operation and improve building energy efficiency. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been considered one of the most promising sorbent materials for passive indoor moisture control. However, the powder form of MOF is challenging to use in the built environment. Typical shaping methods like pellets, beads, and coating can lead to problems like partial pore blocking, insufficient mechanical stability, amorphization, and low material utilization. Here, we report a new sustainable MOF paper sheet comprising 25% cellulosic fibers and 75% MOF MIL-100(Fe) powder. The porous polymer matrix provides good support and fixation for MOF particles, so it's more applicable in the built environment. The crystalline and pore structure characteristics of the MOF in the membrane are well preserved. Hydro characteristic test results show that MIL-100(Fe) paper sheet has high water vapor uptake, S-shape isotherm, mild regeneration condition, and high MBV. Then, a numerical model was developed to calculate the relation between a material's MBV and its thickness. MIL-100(Fe) paper sheet with the most efficient thickness was applied as wallpaper in a building energy simulation model. The simulation result shows that the MIL-100(Fe) paper sheet is promising for passive indoor moisture control. It can remove about 45%-55% of the latent cooling load in most European climate types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To align the buildings sector with the 1.5°C climate change trajectory, enormous improvements in energy efficiency are needed. It is therefore crucial that the tools used to evaluate buildings' energy use undergo robust testing. This paper tests, for the first time, the outcome of the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) and an author-modified version of the Radiant Time Series Method (RTSM), following the Building Energy Simulation Test (BESTEST). The results show that while the validity of the modified-RTSM is slightly superior to that of the PHPP, both tools pass less than 35% of the cases -- necessitating further calibration and challenging the widely-held belief that the PHPP is 'validated'. As the PHPP and the modified-RTSM present a relatively simple and quick way of evaluating buildings' energy performance, calibrating their methodologies so they pass the BESTEST cases could put them at an advantage over the fully dynamic and resource-intensive tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightweight concrete offers numerous advantages for modular construction, including easier construction planning and logistics, and the ability to offset additional dead loads induced by double-wall and double-slab features. In a previous study, authors proposed incorporating lightweight aggregate into foamed concrete instead of adding extra foam to achieve lower density, resulting in lightweight concrete with an excellent strength-to-density ratio. This paper further investigated the performance aspects of foamed concrete with lightweight aggregate beyond mechanical strength. To evaluate the effect of aggregate type and foam content, three mix compositions were designed for the lightweight concrete. Specimens were prepared for experimental tests on thermal conductivity and drying shrinkage of lightweight concrete. Results showed that while both the increase in foam volume and the incorporation of lightweight aggregate led to higher drying shrinkage, they also contributed to improved insulating properties and reduced potential of cracking. Using typical multi-storey modular residential buildings in Hong Kong and three other Chinese cities as case studies, simulations were performed to assess potential savings in annual cooling and heating loads by employing the proposed lightweight concrete. These findings demonstrate the practical benefits of using foamed concrete with lightweight aggregate in modular construction and provide valuable insights for further optimization and implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: Our study introduces an innovative application through the deployment of the Totem Outdoor DELUX interactive kiosk, complemented by a user-friendly web application. This dual-component system is not solely a cutting-edge piece of smart furniture centered on hardware; it also encompasses a specially designed web application to engage the citizens of Balaguer. Together, they form a comprehensive infrastructure aimed at enhancing environmental awareness and promoting civic participation. This kiosk is a dynamic platform for displaying real-time data from sensors across the city, facilitating interactive questionnaires, and providing essential information about the city and town hall. The application of this technology directly contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by fostering public awareness and participation in critical issues such as climate action, health and well-being, gender equality, innovation in infrastructure, and reducing inequalities. Specifically, the interactive totem allows for the collection and analysis of data regarding citizens' perceptions of their living conditions, environmental impact, and social inequalities. This practical application of our work exemplifies how technological innovation can be leveraged to enhance civic engagement, support sustainable development, and foster a more informed and participatory urban community. The concept of a smart city is becoming increasingly popular to improve citizens' quality of life. Institutions are also committed to enhancing the sustainability of cities by implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper presents a Balaguer case study investigating energy demand monitoring, decreasing energy demand, and citizen acceptance in a municipality district. The study collected data from three sources: (1) quantitative data coming from on-site sensors; (2) quantitative data from a simulation of the area; and (3) qualitative data from questionnaires developed with a totem located in the city center. This study shows the importance of citizen science in contributing towards the increased awareness of energy demand, renewable energy, and climate change. But it also shows how citizen science can improve research quality involving the municipality authorities. This study also was instrumental in contributing to the increase in awareness among municipality authorities and capacity building on the topic. This activity may also contribute towards the implementation of actions to reduce the energy demand in public buildings and helping them in deploying policies to decrease energy demand in buildings, increase the use of renewable energy, and increase awareness among citizens. The government will use the information gathered to develop policies for citizen improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spawn is DOE's next-generation tool chain for whole building energy control simulation. Spawn couples traditional imperative load-based envelope modelling with new equation-based modelling of HVAC and controls. Spawn uses EnergyPlus for the former and the Modelica Buildings Library for the latter. Because it leverages the Modelica Buildings Library, Spawn can evaluate advanced energy systems at the building and district scale, including new architectures and controls for heat pump systems with storage, and the coupling of such systems to electrical distribution networks. Spawn's Modelica integration likewise enables it to simulate realistic control sequences and therefore to bridge energy simulation and control implementation workflows. From EnergyPlus, Spawn inherits efficient envelope simulation and the ability to use existing envelope model authoring tools. This paper describes the architecture and implementation of Spawn, which automatically couples Modelica and EnergyPlus for run-time data exchange. This paper closes with examples that illustrate Spawn's modelling and simulation processes.

The impacts of climate change, excessive greenhouse gas emissions, and the current energy crisis have motivated the European Union to adopt mitigation and adaptation strategies. These strategies primarily focus on the building sector due to its crucial role in addressing these issues. Among the strategies, the implementation of resilient technologies for the building envelope, such as vertical greenery systems (VGSs) is gaining ground. The literature analysis shows that existing models are not sufficiently detailed in their description of the overall thermo-physical phenomena of VGSs. The aim of this work is to overcome the research gaps by selecting and improving two mathematical models for green façades and living walls. A dedicated calculation code to estimate the effect of VGSs on a building's energy performance and indoor thermal comfort has been developed and implemented within the EnergyPlus calculation software (version 23.2). A BESTest Case from ASHRAE 140 was chosen to test the models and to assess benefits of VGSs. The results show that adopting green solutions for the building envelope can contribute to achieving the building's energy efficiency goals and that the modelling of these technologies can be easily carried out within a dynamic energy simulation of the building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The building operation sector in China represents 22% of the national energy consumption and 22% of the carbon emission, of which urban residential buildings accounted for 24% in 2019. Such figures for the housing sector are projected to increase sharply in the near future, while China aims to peak CO2 emissions by 2030 and reach neutrality before 2060. To reduce the impacts of the urban housing sector and address the energy use and waste generated by large-scale demolition and reconstruction, the central government started promoting the energy retrofit of urban residential buildings, raising such policies to the national strategic level. Jiangsu Province is one of the most urbanised, with a rapid growth in the energy consumption of residential buildings. The Multi-Danyuan and Single-Danyuan Apartment built in 1980–1999 are the most representative residential types in its urban areas. While still adequate functionally, they were designed and built to low energy standards and show significant potential for energy retrofit. Nonetheless, their current performance and energy-saving potential are under-researched, while more detailed and reliable data would be critical to support retrofit design and policy making. This study investigates and characterises the typical use and energy performance of the two building types. Additionally, seven measures and six retrofit scenarios were identified based on the optimal energy reductions and regulations from selected countries. The simulations indicate that, without intervention, the energy consumption of the typical urban residential buildings can reach 122 kWh/m2 under the typical high-energy user scenario. By selecting a set of effective energy-saving measures, the operational energy use for heating and cooling can be reduced by up to 52.4%. Current local standards prove cost-efficient, although less effective in reducing energy use compared to international best practices, indicating potential improvements to the contribution of building retrofit towards achieving the national carbon reduction goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To align the buildings sector with the 1.5°C climate change trajectory, enormous improvements in energy efficiency are needed. It is therefore crucial that the tools used to evaluate buildings’ energy use undergo robust testing. This paper tests, for the first time, the outcome of the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) and an author-modified version of the Radiant Time Series Method (RTSM), following the Building Energy Simulation Test (BESTEST). The results show that while the validity of the modified-RTSM is slightly superior to that of the PHPP, both tools pass less than 35% of the cases—necessitating further calibration and challenging the widely-held belief that the PHPP is ‘validated’. As the PHPP and the modified-RTSM present a relatively simple and quick way of evaluating buildings’ energy performance, calibrating their methodologies so they pass the BESTEST cases could put them at an advantage over the fully dynamic and resource-intensive tools.

This study investigates the impact of an active workstation on heating and cooling energy consumption in commercial buildings. The improved performance and health of office workers are well-known and supported by several surveys and studies. However, the preferred and revised indoor air temperature for different activities of the employees, such as standing and walking, directly impacts the energy consumption of the building. Therefore, this study systematically quantifies the impact of indoor environments on building energy consumption using a simulation tool. Based on literature reviews with multidisciplinary fields, revised setpoint temperature, metabolic rate, and required outdoor air rate due to the level of active workstation (standing and walking) are applied to EnergyPlus reference building models. The impact on heating and cooling energy consumption is analyzed by considering several representative cities in the United States. Their average sensitivity was found to be 7.28% lower and 14.28% higher for heating and cooling energy, respectively. The total increment of $13,887 represents approximately 0.16% of the total profit of the corporation. This increment can be justified given the benefits to workers' health, which include lower insurance costs and improved performance. This suggests that it is economically desirable to deploy active workstations widely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightweight concrete offers numerous advantages for modular construction, including easier construction planning and logistics, and the ability to offset additional dead loads induced by double-wall and double-slab features. In a previous study, authors proposed incorporating lightweight aggregate into foamed concrete instead of adding extra foam to achieve lower density, resulting in lightweight concrete with an excellent strength-to-density ratio. This paper further investigated the performance aspects of foamed concrete with lightweight aggregate beyond mechanical strength. To evaluate the effect of aggregate type and foam content, three mix compositions were designed for the lightweight concrete. Specimens were prepared for experimental tests on thermal conductivity and drying shrinkage of lightweight concrete. Results showed that while both the increase in foam volume and the incorporation of lightweight aggregate led to higher drying shrinkage, they also contributed to improved insulating properties and reduced potential of cracking. Using typical multi-storey modular residential buildings in Hong Kong and three other Chinese cities as case studies, simulations were performed to assess potential savings in annual cooling and heating loads by employing the proposed lightweight concrete. These findings demonstrate the practical benefits of using foamed concrete with lightweight aggregate in modular construction and provide valuable insights for further optimization and implementation.

The concept of a smart city is becoming increasingly popular to improve citizens’ quality of life. Institutions are also committed to enhancing the sustainability of cities by implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper presents a Balaguer case study investigating energy demand monitoring, decreasing energy demand, and citizen acceptance in a municipality district. The study collected data from three sources: (1) quantitative data coming from on-site sensors; (2) quantitative data from a simulation of the area; and (3) qualitative data from questionnaires developed with a totem located in the city center. This study shows the importance of citizen science in contributing towards the increased awareness of energy demand, renewable energy, and climate change. But it also shows how citizen science can improve research quality involving the municipality authorities. This study also was instrumental in contributing to the increase in awareness among municipality authorities and capacity building on the topic. This activity may also contribute towards the implementation of actions to reduce the energy demand in public buildings and helping them in deploying policies to decrease energy demand in buildings, increase the use of renewable energy, and increase awareness among citizens. The government will use the information gathered to develop policies for citizen improvement.