Analysis of Peak Demand Reduction and Energy Saving in a Mixed-Use Community through Urban Building Energy Modeling

Wenxian Zhao, Zhang Deng, Yanfei Ji, Chengcheng Song, Yue Yuan, Zhiyuan Wang and Yixing Chen ()
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Wenxian Zhao: College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Zhang Deng: School of Civil Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411100, China
Yanfei Ji: College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Chengcheng Song: College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Yue Yuan: College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Zhiyuan Wang: College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Yixing Chen: College of Civil Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 5, 1-23

Abstract: Energy saving in buildings is essential as buildings’ operational energy use constitutes 30% of global energy consumption. Urban building energy modeling (UBEM) effectively understands urban energy consumption. This paper applied UBEM to assess the potential of peak demand reduction and energy saving in a mixed-use community, using 955 residential buildings, 35 office buildings and 7 hotels in Shenzhen, China, as a case study. The building type and period were collected based on the GIS dataset. Then, the baseline models were generated by the UBEM tool—AutoBPS. Five scenarios were analyzed: retrofit-window, retrofit-air conditioner (AC), retrofit-lighting, rooftop photovoltaic (PV), and demand response. The five scenarios replaced the windows, enhanced the AC, upgraded the lighting, covered 60% of the roof area with PV, and had a temperature reset from 17:00 to 23:00, respectively. The results show that using retrofit-windows is the most effective scenario for reducing peak demand at 19.09%, and PV reduces energy use intensity (EUI) best at 29.96%. Demand response is recommended when further investment is not desired. Retrofit-lighting is suggested for its low-cost, low-risk investment, with the payback period (PBP) not exceeding 4.54 years. When the investment is abundant, retrofit-windows are recommended for public buildings, while PV is recommended for residential buildings. The research might provide practical insights into energy policy formulation.

Keywords: urban building energy modeling; mixed-use community; retrofit analysis; PV analysis; demand response; AutoBPS (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: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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