Multi-Objective Optimization of Building Life Cycle Performance. A Housing Renovation Case Study in Northern Europe

Francesco Montana, Kai Kanafani, Kim B. Wittchen, Harpa Birgisdottir, Sonia Longo, Maurizio Cellura and Eleonora Riva Sanseverino
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Francesco Montana: Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Kai Kanafani: Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, 2740 Copenhagen, Denmark
Kim B. Wittchen: Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, 2740 Copenhagen, Denmark
Harpa Birgisdottir: Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, 2740 Copenhagen, Denmark
Sonia Longo: Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Maurizio Cellura: Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy
Eleonora Riva Sanseverino: Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, 90133 Palermo, Italy

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 18, 1-25

Abstract: While the operational energy use of buildings is often regulated in current energy saving policies, their embodied greenhouse gas emissions still have a considerable mitigation potential. The study aims at developing a multi-objective optimization method for design and renovation of buildings incorporating the operational and embodied energy demands, global warming potential, and costs as objective functions. The optimization method was tested on the renovation of an apartment building in Denmark, mainly focusing envelope improvements as roof and exterior wall insulation and windows. Cellulose insulation has been the predominant result, together with fiber cement or aluminum-based cladding and 2-layered glazing. The annual energy demand has been reduced from 166.4 to a range between 76.5 and 83.7 kWh/(m 2 y) in the optimal solutions. The fact that the legal requirements of 70 kWh/(m 2 y) are nearly met without building service improvements indicates that energy requirements can be fulfilled without compromising greenhouse gas emissions and cost. Since the method relies on standard national performance reporting tools, the authors believe that this study is a preliminary step towards more cost-efficient and low-carbon building renovations by utilizing multi-optimization techniques.

Keywords: building renovation; embodied; life cycle assessment; low-energy building; multi-objective optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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