Aruta, Giuseppe (2024) Optimizing buildings energy performance: Studies from single building to urban scale. [Tesi di dottorato]

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Abstract

This doctoral thesis addresses the challenge of optimizing building energy performance through a comprehensive exploration of strategies, technologies, and approaches ranging from individual buildings to urban-scale energy systems. The first two sections are as an introduction: the first one works as a description of the actual regulatory situation and of the technologies developed to date, while the second one describes the main methodologies. Then, the research is organized into three major parts, each focusing on a different scale of intervention: building-level technologies, interactions between buildings (such as energy sharing and community energy models), and the urban scale, where large-scale integration of energy systems plays a pivotal role. The first main topic of the thesis focuses on building-level energy efficiency, examining innovative technologies and retrofitting techniques aimed at reducing the energy demand of existing buildings. It explores advanced control systems like model predictive control and optimization algorithms, as well as the integration of responsive architectural elements such as double-skin façades, which enhance a building's energy performance by dynamically adapting to environmental conditions. These studies highlight the potential for achieving nearly-zero energy buildings (nZEBs) through technological interventions at the individual building level. The second expands the focus to the interactions between buildings, particularly within the context of energy communities and energy-sharing systems. This part of the research explores how buildings can function not only as energy consumers but also as energy producers, capable of exchanging surplus energy with one another in local networks. The concept of renewable energy communities is examined in detail, including strategies for energy sharing, distributed generation, and local storage systems that allow for greater self-sufficiency and energy resilience. These studies underscore the importance of collective actions and cooperative models to optimize energy flows within neighborhoods or districts, enhancing both sustainability and energy security. The final section addresses the urban-scale energy transition, where the focus shifts to the role of cities as key drivers of renewable energy adoption. This part investigates urban planning tools and strategies that facilitate the integration of renewable energy systems at the city-wide level. It emphasizes the role of district-level energy mapping, policy incentives, and planning frameworks in promoting the widespread adoption of energy-efficient technologies and renewable sources across large urban areas. The research demonstrates how cities can act as power hubs, where smart energy infrastructure, local energy grids, and comprehensive planning can significantly reduce carbon emissions while supporting local sustainability goals. xi In conclusion, this thesis provides an in-depth analysis of energy performance optimization strategies at multiple scales, from individual buildings to entire urban districts. By exploring technological solutions, policy mechanisms, and community-based energy models, the research emphasizes the need for a holistic, scalable approach to achieving sustainable, energy-efficient built environments. The findings advocate for the integration of building-level innovations with district-wide and urban-scale planning efforts, paving the way for a future in which cities contribute significantly to global energy transition goals and the creation of resilient, energy-efficient communities.

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