Assessment of Energy Conservation Resource considering the Lighting service in Academic buildings seeking sustainable Energy planning

The objective of this work is to evaluate the full potential, since include technic-economic & environmental & social & policy dimensions, of the benefits of applying a demand side energy resource for considering for implementation of an energy efficiency project. Methodologically, this assessment was made by establishing values for energy resources in attributes and sub-attributes in the four different dimensions of the Integrated Resources Planning, which are: environmental dimension, social dimension, political dimension, and economic-technical dimension. The analysis of the energy efficiency project in four different perspectives makes this work innovative, most of the papers found in the academy does not consider the four dimensions studied here. The accounting of the full potential is also considered within this methodology, which makes it possible to evaluate its benefits in traditional and economic-technical aspects, as well as the dimensions of sustainable development. A case study was also developed on the replacement of traditional lamps for LED lamps in higher education institution. Results showed a decrease in CO2 emission in the atmosphere of 11.94 tons, the creation of 21 temporally job positions, reduction in the release of 52g of mercury in the environment and an injection of nearly 2 million dollars into the economy. Therefore, it was systematically proved that the benefits of the energy efficiency evaluated in the four dimensions increase sustainable development to all of society. With this work it is possible to concluded that all the society is impacted in different aspects after the implementation of an energy efficiency project in an energy consumer company e not only these companies

Design quality assessment of campus facilities through post occupancy evaluation

PurposeThis study aims to present the design quality assessment of facilities on a university campus in Saudi Arabia.Design/methodology/approachForty-nine standardized design quality indicators (DQIs) have been adopted for the study. These were classified into relevant categories including: “Indoor Environment, Safety and Maintenance,” “Furniture, Utilities and Spaces” and “Privacy, Appearance and Surrounding Areas.” A web-based survey was used to obtain responses from 207 respondents. The survey was designed based on a Likert scale of satisfaction and was analyzed to obtain the satisfaction indices (SI) as well as Design Quality Scores (DQS).FindingsOccupants were dissatisfied the “level of noise generated from within the space,” “amount of natural light from daylighting systems” and “ease of control of air ventilation systems” among others. The DQS revealed that residential buildings had the highest design quality in terms of “Indoor Environment, Safety, and Maintenance” and “Privacy, Appearance and Surrounding Areas.” Administrative buildings had the best design quality in terms of “furniture, utilities and spaces.” Academic buildings had the lowest design quality in terms of “Indoor Environment, Safety and Maintenance” and “Privacy, Appearance and Surrounding Areas.”Originality/valueUltimately, the study demonstrated how the adoption of a standard set of DQIs could facilitate the standardization of design quality evaluation in the property sector as well as identify best practices through comparison and benchmarking.

Carbon Dioxide Footprint and Its Impacts: A Case of Academic Buildings

Carbon emissions have been considered a major reason behind climate change and global warming. Various studies report that rapid urbanization and the changing demands of 21st century life have resulted in higher carbon emissions. This study aims to examine the carbon footprints in an academic building to observe the carbon dioxide (CO2) levels at crucial landmarks and offices. A sensor-based automated system was designed and implemented for the collection of CO2 concentrations at selected locations. In the final stage, a CO2 footprint map was generated to highlight the vulnerable areas of CO2 in the academic building. It was concluded that offices have higher CO2 concentrations at both intervals (morning and afternoon), followed by the laboratory, corridors, and praying area. The CO2 concentration did not exceed 500 ppm at any location. Thus, all locations other than offices had normal CO2 concentration levels. Similarly, the humidity level was also satisfactory. The average humidity level was below 50%, which is below the permissible value of 65%. The recommended range for temperature values as per ASHRAE standards is 22.5 °C to 25.5 °C, except for prayer places. It was concluded that the selected academic institute is providing a good environment to the users of the building, but that may change once the academic institute becomes fully functional after COVID-19. This study assists the stakeholders in making guidelines and necessary actions to reduce CO2 concentration in academic buildings, as it is expected to rise once the human load increases in the next academic year. The suggested approach can be used in any other country and the results will vary based on the building type, building energy type, and building ventilation design.

Using multiple linear regression to disaggregate electricity consumption for cluster-metered academic buildings

Ryerson University does not have a means to gauge electricity consumption for half of their campus buildings. The installation of utility meters is outside of the University’s budget, a situation that may be similar across other academic institutions. A multiple linear regression approach to estimating consumption for academic buildings is an ideal tool that balances performance and utility. Using 80 buildings from Ryerson University and the University of Toronto, significant building characteristics were identified (from a selection of 18 variables) that show a strong linear relationship with electricity consumption. Four equations were created to represent the diversity in size of academic buildings. Tested using cross-validation, the coefficient of variation of the RMSE for all models was 33%, with a range of error between 20% and 43%. The models were highly successful at modeling electricity consumption at Ryerson University with an average error of 14.8% for five building clusters. Using metered data from each cluster, raw estimates for individual buildings were adjusted to improve accuracy.

Using multiple linear regression to disaggregate electricity consumption for cluster-metered academic buildings

Ryerson University does not have a means to gauge electricity consumption for half of their campus buildings. The installation of utility meters is outside of the University’s budget, a situation that may be similar across other academic institutions. A multiple linear regression approach to estimating consumption for academic buildings is an ideal tool that balances performance and utility. Using 80 buildings from Ryerson University and the University of Toronto, significant building characteristics were identified (from a selection of 18 variables) that show a strong linear relationship with electricity consumption. Four equations were created to represent the diversity in size of academic buildings. Tested using cross-validation, the coefficient of variation of the RMSE for all models was 33%, with a range of error between 20% and 43%. The models were highly successful at modeling electricity consumption at Ryerson University with an average error of 14.8% for five building clusters. Using metered data from each cluster, raw estimates for individual buildings were adjusted to improve accuracy.

Towards implementing an indoor environmental quality standard in buildings: A pilot study

This paper demonstrates the implementation methodology for India’s first IEQ standard (ISHRAE Standard-10001:2016) in actual buildings. The IEQ standard encompasses the definitions of IEQ elements (i.e. thermal comfort, indoor air quality, visual comfort, and acoustic comfort), threshold values of IEQ parameters determining these elements, specifications of measuring instruments, and methodology to undertake IEQ assessments in buildings. The pilot study identified the preliminary findings to understand and evaluate the practical implementation of the IEQ standard through field measurements. The quantitative measurements of IEQ elements were carried out in two academic buildings in the Jaipur climate (warm and humid as well as hot and dry and cold). The occupant’s subjective evaluation was made through a questionnaire survey administrated concurrently with physical measurements of IEQ parameters. This study provides the clarity of method for taking IEQ measurements and comments on the availability of instruments and their specifications as recommended by the standard. Practical application: The present study is the practical implementation of the IEQ standard in buildings. This standard provides the threshold limits of IEQ parameters by classifying them into three classes covering international and local benchmarking. The standard also specifies the research methodology including field measurement protocol and specification of monitoring devices for IEQ assessment. This standard is useful for evolving IEQ rating of buildings in India where the majority of the building stocks are yet to be built.