In the quest for sustainable and efficient building design, a groundbreaking study led by Vasileios Kilis from the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Western Macedonia, has unveiled a novel decision-making methodology that could revolutionize the way we approach energy management in residential buildings. Published in the journal Energies, the research focuses on optimizing renewable-based multi-energy systems, offering a blueprint for enhancing energy performance from economic, energy, and environmental perspectives.
Kilis and his team have developed a sophisticated approach that integrates solar thermal collectors, photovoltaic systems, and heat pumps into an Energy Hub. This hub is designed to meet the heating, cooling, and domestic hot water energy demands of residential buildings, all while minimizing economic, energy, and environmental impacts over the entire lifecycle of the building. The methodology leverages Mathematical Programming models formulated in GAMS, a powerful tool for solving complex optimization problems.
The study’s findings are particularly compelling. “Combining heat pumps with photovoltaics is preferable for all the examined criteria,” Kilis explains. This combination not only reduces dependency on traditional energy sources but also aligns with the European Union’s goals of mitigating carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy technologies. The research demonstrates that by optimizing the selection and operation of these multi-energy systems, buildings can achieve significant energy savings and environmental benefits.
One of the standout features of this research is its sensitivity analysis, which examines how different economic, energy, and environmental parameters influence the energy mix. This analysis provides a nuanced understanding of how various factors can lead to optimal solutions, even when different energy systems are involved. For instance, the study shows that as the primary energy factors of the electricity grid decrease, the optimal decisions for heat pumps and photovoltaics remain consistent, underscoring the importance of self-energy production in buildings.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. As buildings account for a significant portion of global energy use and greenhouse gas emissions, optimizing their energy performance is crucial. This research offers a practical framework for achieving these goals, making it an invaluable resource for architects, engineers, and policymakers. “The concept of Energy Hubs is important for incorporating different simulation models, like f-chart, in order to provide a more accurate analysis,” Kilis notes, highlighting the versatility and precision of the proposed methodology.
The study’s approach to multi-criteria optimization, considering economic, energy, and environmental parameters, sets a new standard for building design. By providing a comprehensive life cycle perspective, it ensures that decisions made today will have long-term benefits for both the environment and the economy. This is particularly relevant in the context of the European Union’s initiatives, such as the Clean Energy Package and the Renovation Wave, which aim to improve building energy efficiency and integrate renewable energy sources.
As the energy sector continues to evolve, this research paves the way for future developments in sustainable building design. The methodology can be easily adapted to different building types and climatic conditions, making it a versatile tool for enhancing energy efficiency worldwide. Moreover, the study’s focus on renewable-based multi-energy systems aligns with the growing demand for clean and sustainable energy solutions.
In an era where energy security and sustainability are paramount, Kilis’ research offers a beacon of hope. By optimizing the use of renewable energy technologies in residential buildings, we can move closer to a future where buildings are not just consumers of energy but also producers, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient energy landscape. The study, published in Energies, is a testament to the power of innovation and the potential it holds for transforming the energy sector.
