Energy Consumption, Energy Analysis, and Solar Energy Integration for Commercial Building Restaurants

Muthu Kumaran Gunasegaran (), Md Hasanuzzaman (), ChiaKwang Tan, Ab Halim Abu Bakar and Vignes Ponniah
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Muthu Kumaran Gunasegaran: Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC), Level 4, Wisma R&D UM, Jalan Pantai Baharu, Kuala Lumpur 59990, Malaysia
Md Hasanuzzaman: Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC), Level 4, Wisma R&D UM, Jalan Pantai Baharu, Kuala Lumpur 59990, Malaysia
ChiaKwang Tan: Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC), Level 4, Wisma R&D UM, Jalan Pantai Baharu, Kuala Lumpur 59990, Malaysia
Ab Halim Abu Bakar: Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), UM Power Energy Dedicated Advanced Centre (UMPEDAC), Level 4, Wisma R&D UM, Jalan Pantai Baharu, Kuala Lumpur 59990, Malaysia
Vignes Ponniah: Building Services Engineering, Trafford College Group, Talbot Road, Stretford, Manchester M32 0XH, UK

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 20, 1-26

Abstract: In the domain of energy consumption in restaurant-type commercial buildings, traditional energy audits tend to concentrate mainly on electrical loads, often neglecting the specifics of the restaurant sector, especially regarding liquified petroleum gas fuel consumption. This research employs a comprehensive energy audit framework specifically designed for the commercial building restaurant sector. Using energy data from 130 restaurants, we computed the building energy index that ranged in between 650 and 1000 kWh/m 2 /year. Using linear regression, we assessed the relationship between building energy index and restaurant area, uncovering a low R 2 value, suggesting the unsuitability of the building energy index as an exclusive measure for restaurants. Concurrently, our detailed comparative study showed that liquified petroleum gas-fueled equipment uses about 38% more energy than electric fueled equipment but is 0.5% cheaper and significantly less polluting. Investigating renewable energy potentials, we found solar PV application as a viable option for restaurants. The results showed that solar PV installation could produce approximately 11,064,898 kWh, translating to utility savings of RM 7,381,929 and reductions of 7,108,327 kgCO 2 , 68,959 kgSO 2 , and 31,823 kgCO emissions. Conclusively, our findings underline the need for a diversified energy assessment in restaurants and the tangible benefits of renewable energy integration.

Keywords: energy audit; energy analysis; solar energy; restaurants; commercial building; building energy index (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: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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