View in EDS

Operational and embodied energy of residential buildings in the Andean region between 1980 and 2020.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Operational and embodied energy of residential buildings in the Andean region between 1980 and 2020.
Authors: Torres-Quezada, Jefferson1 (AUTHOR) jefferson.torres@ucacue.edu.ec, Isalgue-Buxeda, Antonio2 (AUTHOR), Pages-Ramon, Anna2 (AUTHOR), Lopez-Besora, Judit2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Energy & Buildings. Dec2024, Vol. 325, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p.
Subjects: Life cycles (Biology), Climate extremes, Building design & construction, Construction materials, Hot water
Abstract: The relationship between operational energy (OE) and embodied energy (EE) in buildings is a highly complex issue. In countries with extreme climates and high sustainability standards, efforts are made to reduce OE for climatization with materials and technologies that eventually increase the EE. The case of non-extreme climates such as the Ecuadorian Andean region is different. New building systems and construction elements are introduced in buildings to replicate the model adopted in other climates and, consequently, EE experiments an increase. However, it remains unclear what impact these changes have on OE and in the total life cycle energy. To assess the effects of these construction changes, 40 residential buildings constructed between 1980 and 2020 in Cuenca, Ecuador, were analyzed. Their OE was obtained through energy simulations validated with measurements (Heating plus Cooling, Lighting plus Electrical Appliances) and mathematical calculations (Domestic Hot Water plus Cooking). Their EE values were obtained from prior research. The findings indicate that buildings in the Ecuadorian Andean region have experienced an increase in total life cycle energy: EE has risen from 1643 to 3600 MJ/m2 over the last forty years, and OE for heating and cooling has also increased (from 1000 to 2195 MJ/m2), also increasing the total life cycle energy of the building. Unlike in other countries where a reduction in OE demand leads to an increase in EE, in the studied case, the upward trend in EE results in an increase in OE demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Energy & Buildings is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Engineering Source
Description
Abstract:The relationship between operational energy (OE) and embodied energy (EE) in buildings is a highly complex issue. In countries with extreme climates and high sustainability standards, efforts are made to reduce OE for climatization with materials and technologies that eventually increase the EE. The case of non-extreme climates such as the Ecuadorian Andean region is different. New building systems and construction elements are introduced in buildings to replicate the model adopted in other climates and, consequently, EE experiments an increase. However, it remains unclear what impact these changes have on OE and in the total life cycle energy. To assess the effects of these construction changes, 40 residential buildings constructed between 1980 and 2020 in Cuenca, Ecuador, were analyzed. Their OE was obtained through energy simulations validated with measurements (Heating plus Cooling, Lighting plus Electrical Appliances) and mathematical calculations (Domestic Hot Water plus Cooking). Their EE values were obtained from prior research. The findings indicate that buildings in the Ecuadorian Andean region have experienced an increase in total life cycle energy: EE has risen from 1643 to 3600 MJ/m2 over the last forty years, and OE for heating and cooling has also increased (from 1000 to 2195 MJ/m2), also increasing the total life cycle energy of the building. Unlike in other countries where a reduction in OE demand leads to an increase in EE, in the studied case, the upward trend in EE results in an increase in OE demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:03787788
DOI:10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.114982