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• That aim is to quantify the impact of urban context on building cooling loads. • Building energy modeling is used to test 108 urban context configurations. • The configurations combine different context heights, distances, and orientations. • Savings of 26% and 24% were observed for total and peak cooling, respectively. • Implications on cooling system sizing and urban planning practices are discussed. This paper presents a systematic evaluation of the impact of the built urban context on the cooling energy performance of buildings subjected to extreme hot weather conditions. The proposed approach combines building energy modeling with an extensive parametric variation and statistical analysis scheme. It provides a direct quantification of inter-building shading on energy performance, with an emphasis on the cooling demand patterns for buildings of different types and sizes. Results show that the combined effects of urban context height, distance, and orientation can lead to significant reductions in cooling demand, reaching up to 26% for total cooling loads and 24% for peak cooling loads. The observed savings are particularly notable for residential buildings, making them an ideal target for urban development strategies that aim to leverage inter-building shading effects for energy conservation purposes. Moreover, an in-depth analysis of peak loads illustrates how the density and compactness of the urban form can be used as passive design strategies to reduce the load, and hence, the size of air conditioning systems. Finally, the paper explores how to translate the gained knowledge to design guidelines, bridging the gap between theory and practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In residential sector, air conditioning system takes the biggest portion of overall energy consumption to fulfil the thermal comfort need. In addressing the issue, thermal insulation is one efficient technology to utilize the energy in providing the desired thermal comfort by its environmentally friendly characteristics. The principle of thermal insulation is by the proper installation of insulation using energy-efficient materials that would reduce the heat loss or heat gain, which leads to reduction of energy cost as the result. This paper is aimed to gather most recent developments on the building thermal insulations and also to discuss about the life-cycle analysis and potential emissions reduction by using proper insulation materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtained as a research result of conducted project, this paper presents an innovative, energy efficient multipurpose system for a sustainable globally cost-effective building's solar energy use and developed methodology for its dynamic analysis and optimization. The initial research and development goal was to create a cost-effective technical solution for replacing fossil fuel and electricity with solar energy for water heating for different purposes (for pools, sanitary water, washing) in one SPA. After successful realization of the initial goal, the study was proceeded and as a result, the created advanced system has been enriched with AC performance. The study success was based on understanding and combined measurements and by BPS made predictions of AC loads and solar radiation dynamics as well as on the determination of the synergetic relations between all relevant quantities. Further, by the performed BPS dynamic simulations for geographically spread buildings locations, it has been shown that the final result of the conducted scientific engineering R&D work has been the created system of confirmed prestigious to the sustainability relevant performance – globally cost-effective building integrated photovoltaic powered heat pump (HP), assisted by waste water heat recovery, for solar AC, water heating and saving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Numerous computer programs are available to calculate the energy efficiency of buildings. Many are based on the use of a reference building to determine the degree of efficiency. However, this methodology presents a major constraint when assessing a building after construction and during the use stage. To assess the energy efficiency of buildings, this paper proposes new indices based on energy consumption during different periods; as well as other parameters of the buildings such as construction area, number of users, and air-conditioned volume. Results are presented as an application for various buildings on the campus of the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Hong Kong is located in a typical subtropical region. The buildings in Hong Kong are subjected to high cooling demands for their air-conditioning systems throughout most of the year, and their contribution toward the total energy consumption is about 40%. Therefore, energy efficiency in buildings is essential to reduce the global energy use and improve the local environmental sustainability. This paper provides an overall review of the building energy research and efforts in Hong Kong over the last decade. Various aspects and energy saving measures, including energy policy, energy audit, design, control, diagnosis, building performance evaluation and renewable energy systems, studied or used to enhance the energy efficiency in buildings are reviewed. A brief introduction of the Hong Kong Building Energy Codes (BEC) and Hong Kong Building Environmental Assessment Method (HK-BEAM) are also provided to present the efforts of the local government and community on energy efficiency in buildings. This review aims at providing building researchers and practitioners a better understanding of buildings energy saving opportunities and approaches in cities particularly in subtropical regions and taking further proper actions to promote buildings energy efficiency and conservation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]