Heliyon (May 2024)
Application of passive and active scenarios to a residential building in a dry and hot climate to achieve a positive energy building (PEB)
Abstract
Designing a nearly zero energy building (NZEB) and more exclusively a positive energy building (PEB) hold significant importance these days. Achieving this objective requires an effective blend of renewable systems and the energy efficient envelope. This study focuses on a villa situated in the southeast of Kerman, Iran with hot and dry summers. Commencing with the current energy-efficient design of the structure, the research conducted various analyses to explore the impacts of different strategies or alternative approaches that contribute to achieving a NZEB or PEB. The parameters examined in the analysis that pertain to the building envelope, encompass insulation scenarios, window-to-wall ratio, and glass types as passive strategies, along with the integration of wind turbine energy production as an active energy solution. The findings indicate that, under hot and dry conditions in this region, the optimal passive strategies for the case study involve a 40 % window-to-wall ratio, polyurethane insulation, and triple-layered glass with argon. This combination results in a noteworthy reduction in total annual energy consumption, decreasing from 24,344.56 kWh to 11,909.64 kWh. To offset the remaining energy requirements and transform the building into a positive energy structure, a wind turbine was employed. This integrated approach not only aligns with the specific climatic conditions of the area but also demonstrates the feasibility of achieving a positive energy building which resulted in a surplus energy of 1,414.13 kWh.
