Design and Techno-Economic Analysis of Net Zero Energy Buildings using Energy Simulations /
Shoaib Ahmed
- 73p. Soft Copy 30cm
The increasing demand for electricity is straining our natural resources. To secure a sustainable future, a transition to renewable energy sources is underway aimed at reducing resource depletion and environmental harm. During the last few years, the evolution of solar industry has made it possible to use it on domestic scale also. Development of structures that are more sustainable and eco-friendlier is the imperative of the time. Phase change materials (PCM’s) and Photovoltaics (PVs) have emerged as a promising technology with potential to revolutionize the building sector. In the past although PCM’s and solar panels integration has been studied but none of the study incorporated the climatic condition of Pakistan. The outcomes of this study offer valuable insights into the viability of PCM-enhanced BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) systems as an effective and economically feasible approach for creating energy-efficient buildings. These findings also enhance our comprehension of the economic practicality and real-world application of such technologies within the construction sector. For this purpose, a common residential unit in Pakistan is selected which is then analyzed in various climatic conditions across the country. With the inclusion of PCMs demand of energy is decreased by 7-12% in different climatic conditions with maximum decrease is observed 12.25% in case of Lahore, cooling demand of the building is decreased by 10-17% whereas maximum decrease is observed in Murree by 17.75% and heating demand reduced by 12-20%. BIPV system increased the solar production overall by 50.03% and net zero energy target is achieved. The knowledge derived from this research holds significant value for policymakers, architects, and engineers, empowering them to make informed decisions when considering the implementation of PCM-enhanced BIPV systems. Such decisions can play a pivotal role in advancing the creation of environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient buildings.