Efficient Solutions and Cost-Optimal Analysis for Existing School Buildings

Paolo Maria Congedo, Delia D’Agostino, Cristina Baglivo, Giuliano Tornese and Ilaria Zacà
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Paolo Maria Congedo: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Delia D’Agostino: Energy Efficiency and Renewables Unit, Energy, Transport and Climate Institute, Joint Research Centre (JRC)—European Commission, 21027 Ispra (VA), Italy
Cristina Baglivo: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Giuliano Tornese: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Ilaria Zacà: Department of Engineering for Innovation, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy

Energies, 2016, vol. 9, issue 10, 1-24

Abstract: The recast of the energy performance of buildings directive (EPBD) describes a comparative methodological framework to promote energy efficiency and establish minimum energy performance requirements in buildings at the lowest costs. The aim of the cost-optimal methodology is to foster the achievement of nearly zero energy buildings (nZEBs), the new target for all new buildings by 2020, characterized by a high performance with a low energy requirement almost covered by renewable sources. The paper presents the results of the application of the cost-optimal methodology in two existing buildings located in the Mediterranean area. These buildings are a kindergarten and a nursery school that differ in construction period, materials and systems. Several combinations of measures have been applied to derive cost-effective efficient solutions for retrofitting. The cost-optimal level has been identified for each building and the best performing solutions have been selected considering both a financial and a macroeconomic analysis. The results illustrate the suitability of the methodology to assess cost-optimality and energy efficiency in school building refurbishment. The research shows the variants providing the most cost-effective balance between costs and energy saving. The cost-optimal solution reduces primary energy consumption by 85% and gas emissions by 82%–83% in each reference building.

Keywords: school; buildings; retrofit; nearly zero energy buildings (nZEBs); cost-optimal methodology (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (15)

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