Journal Papers

cooling effect. However, AC usage behaviour and the effects of elevated air speed through the use of ceiling fans on indoor operative temperature during AC usage are not widely studied. This study investigated the optimum AC (cooling) set point temperature and air velocity necessary for maintaining thermal comfort while achieving energy conservation, in mixed-mode buildings in India, through field studies by using used custom-built Internet of Things (IOT) devices. In the current study, the results indicate a 79% probability that comfort conditions can be maintained by achieving a temperature drop of 3K. If this drop can be achieved, as much as possible, through passive measures, the duration of AC operation and its energy consumption are reduced, at least by 67.5 and 58.4%, respectively. During the air-conditioned period, there is a possibility that the cooing effect is reduced because of increase in operative temperature due to ceiling fan operation. Therefore, the optimum solution is to maintain the highest AC set point and minimum fan speed setting that are acceptable.

systems affecting their energy performance. Large geographical scales with finer spatio-temporal details increase the challenges of data processing for a reliable UBEM. Thus, it is essential to understand the impact of increasing the resolution of model inputs on the outputs to balance the efforts spent on model development, filling data gaps and maintaining the reliability of the results. This research introduces a Fit-for-Purpose modelling strategy and extends the concept of Levels of Detail (LoD) used for 3D models, to UBEM characteristics including occupancy, geometry, context, modelling methodology, and calibration with the proposed model characterisation framework. A case study based on a 0.3km2 area of Ahmedabad, India, is presented to demonstrate the framework. The results highlight a need for a higher LoD in occupancy modelling for the residential and educational buildings, whereas a higher LoD is more important for the commercial buildings’ envelope characteristics. These insights will enable a highly targeted supplementary data collection approach for the UBEM of the entire city.

under-conditioned state. PCS offer the occupants the choice of modulating their immediate thermal ambience with local controls. The individual-level control helps in improving the subjective thermal and air quality acceptability with the desired thermal sensation. This review paper details on the various types of heating, cooling, ventilation, heating with ventilation, and cooling with ventilation PCS devices. It summarises the thermal ambience created by the respective PCS devices and the resultant subjective responses of the occupants. This review also identifies the energy saving potential of various kinds of PCS devices, the power use of PCS devices, and discusses their economic viability.

Designing climate responsive buildings is challenging, requiring an understanding of building physics, as well as the way buildings are designed, constructed and operated in a given cultural context. The process becomes more difficult with the ever-increasing comfort expectations. Unfortunately, it is easier to install air conditioners in a poorly designed building than to design a high-performing building to begin with. This paper is based on a study to evaluate the thermal performance of climate responsive buildings. We studied six modern institutional and office buildings in warm-humid, hot-dry and composite climate zones. Collectively, they incorporated a range of passive and hybrid design strategies, including various shading devices, courtyards, solar chimneys, cavity walls, various configurations of thermal mass, day and night-time ventilation, and evaporative cooling. We monitored each building for a period of one year and assessed their performance in terms of the behaviour of selected components, their overall response to the prevailing outdoor conditions. In addition to the measured variables, we compared performance using temperature gradients overlay on wall sections, heat maps and linear regression analysis to understand the relationship between the outdoor and indoor conditions to determine the nature of “climate responsiveness” of each building.

on buildings and construction. A survey of state and non-state actor climate commitments submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) Non State Actors Zone for Climate Action (NAZCA) database and recent research on the status of building energy codes and standards globally are also presented. To contribute to a 2°C pathway, India must achieve a 50% reduction in building energy demand and related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. India is taking steps toward this goal through initiatives such as recent upgrades to the Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC), encouraging green building rating and energy certification, and stimulating markets for low-carbon/high-efficiency technologies. However, despite improvements in building energy intensity, neither the global or the Indian building sectors are currently decarbonizing. The adoption of consistent national energy and GHG emission reduction goals could further align national, subnational and private-sector climate action commitments to facilitate a transition to a low-carbon emissions pathway and contribute to limiting global warming to well below 2°C.

and does not address the varying thermal and visual comfort needs of the individual occupants. This has led the building science community to pursue personal environmental control (PEC) systems that work in tandem with adaptive centralized ambient comfort systems. These PEC systems create favorable environmental conditions around each occupant, employing specialized equipment, such as a personal thermal conditioning system, task lighting, plug load monitoring and control, window shade control system, and similar systems. Coordinating among personal control systems and with centralized building management systems allows the optimal provision of services such as cooling, lighting, and other such services where they are needed, potentially leading to significant energy efficiency and improved occupant satisfaction.

actions taken based on EIS data can enable operational energy savings of ~10 percent in the U.S. commercial sector (~2 quads of primary energy). However, EIS adoption is low due to various technical and market challenges. This paper provides technical specifications for standardized EIS packages that can help overcome barriers and accelerate scale.

Joon-Ho Choi, Malcolm Cook , Paul Cropper, Max Deuble, Shahin Heidari, Madhavi Indraganti, Quan Jin, Hyojin Kim, Jungsoo Kim, Kyle Konis, Manoj K Singh, Alison Kwok, Roberto Lamberts, Dennis Loveday, Jared Langevin, Sanyogita manu, Cornelia Moosmann, Fergus Nicol, Ryozo Ooka, Nigel A Oseland, Lorenzo Pagliano, Dušan Petráš, Rajan Rawal, Ramona Romero, Chandra Sekhar, Marcel Schweiker, Federico Tartarini, Shin-ichi Tanabe, Kwok Wai Tham, Despoina Teli, Jorn Toftum, Linda Toledo, Kazuyo Tsuzuki, Renata De Vecchi, Andreas Wagner, Zhaojun Wang, Holger Wallbaum, Lynda Webb, Liu Yang, Yingxin Zhu, Yongchao Zhai, Yufeng Zhang, Xiang Zhou

heat flow meter apparatus (HFMA). The PCM characterization is based on a recent ASTM International standard test method, ASTM C1784. The PCM samples were subjected to step changes in temperature and allowed to stabilize at each temperature. By measuring the heat absorbed or released by the PCM, the temperature-dependent enthalpy functions for melting and freezing were determined.

income, appliance and end-use levels in Gujarat state of India – one of the most progressive states. Penetration level of efficient appliances, electricity load curves and Energy Performance Index (EPI) were estimated. The mean EPI was 98 kWh/m2/year (SD = 105.5) for surveyed small commercial establishments (low income) while mean EPI was 181 kWh/m2/year (SD = 68) for surveyed large commercial establishments (Malls). Electricity saving potentials was estimated if electric appliances at these commercial establishments were replaced with efficient appliances. Four alternate scenarios were analyzed using cost of conserved energy (CCE) curves with various efficiency enhancement options – following at least commercial sub-category level median EPIs, following average EU equivalent EPI levels, following average EPI levels of equivalent US commercial establishments, and following the best available technologies (BAT). The average energy savings ranged between 14% and 25% across buildings and scenarios. Energy efficient air-conditioner and LED lights offer the highest energy savings potential among appliances.

by international standards in the absence of an India-specific comfort standard. This paper proposes an India Model for Adaptive Comfort – IMAC – based on the field surveys administered in 16 buildings in three seasons and five cities, representative of five Indian climate zones. A total of 6330 responses were gathered from naturally ventilated, mixed mode and air-conditioned office buildings using instantaneous thermal comfort surveys.