Energy-efficient building envelopes with active adaptation to the microclimate and integration of renewable energy sources to achieve zero balance and reduce peak loads on electrical grids

Abstract

The study is devoted to the development and assessment of an integrated energy-efficient office building envelope with active adaptation to the external microclimate and internal loads, while simultaneously integrating local generation and energy storage systems. The purpose of the research is to conduct a comprehensive quantitative assessment of the potential of such a system to reduce annual energy consumption, achieve a zero or positive energy balance, and decrease peak loads on electrical grids under the conditions of a moderately continental climate in a large city. The methodological basis of the work is formed by dynamic modeling using software packages for building energy analysis and mathematical simulation with a fifteen-minute time step, which makes it possible to take into account the nonstationary nature of climatic influences and operating modes. Two scenarios are considered: a conventional building with standard enclosing structures and an object with an adaptive envelope that includes multilayer enclosures with phase change materials, electrochromic glazing with a controllable solar factor, façade photovoltaic modules, and an energy storage system based on a lithium-ion battery controlled by a predictive regulation algorithm. As key performance indicators, the final energy consumption for heating, cooling, lighting, and equipment; the annual energy balance; energy import and export from the grid; maximum electrical power values on typical winter and summer days; thermal comfort indicators according to the dissatisfaction index and the number of overheating and overcooling hours; as well as self consumption and self-sufficiency coefficients are analyzed. The obtained results show a reduction in heating demand by more than two-thirds and in cooling demand by more than four-fifths, a transition from significant annual energy import to a small surplus, as well as a reduction of summer peak grid loads by approximately two thirds and winter ones by nearly forty percent, while simultaneously improving indoor microclimate parameters to the highest comfort category. The synergistic interaction of the adaptive envelope, photovoltaic systems, energy storage, and intelligent control system is discussed, which transforms the building into an active participant of the energy system and creates prerequisites for considering peak power limitations in future design standards for zero energy balance buildings.