Evaluation of the Cost-Optimal Method Applied to Existing Schools Considering PV System Optimization

Cecilia Ciacci, Neri Banti, Vincenzo Di Naso and Frida Bazzocchi
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Cecilia Ciacci: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
Neri Banti: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
Vincenzo Di Naso: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy
Frida Bazzocchi: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-41

Abstract: In Italy in 2020, only 15.5% of school building heritage was retrofitted from an energy and environmental point of view. In this paper, the cost-optimal method was applied to two different school buildings belonging to the same Italian cold climate zone but characterized by different structural and technological solutions. The research aims at defining the cost-effective redevelopment solution among several ones proposed to apply to this building type. At the same time, this paper provides a critical analysis of the methodology applied, highlighting deficiencies related to a not proper evaluation of environmentally friendly retrofitting measures. In a cost-effective context, the main results show that the intervention on the heating system is more convenient than the retrofitting of the envelope. The energy saving is equal to about 35% for both considered schools. Among the different proposed requalification configurations, the adoption of PV (photovoltaic) electric generation is included. In this regard, an optimization procedure was implemented in a generative design environment to maximize energy production with reference to different design parameters. As a result, a solution with south oriented PV modules with a tilt angle of 42° and arranged in 0.7 m spaced rows proved to be the most effective.

Keywords: school retrofitting; cost-optimal method; energy saving; sustainable schools; renewables (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: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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