Potential of energy savings in office buildings with hybrid ventilation strategies

Author(s)

Rosilene Regolão Brugnera

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Carlos.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC/SBD)
• Defense date: 2014-02-05

Examining board members

Karin Maria Soares Chvatal; Kelen Almeida Dornelles; Victor Figueiredo Roriz

• Advisor: Karin Maria Soares Chvatal

Abstract

Large glazed facades have become common in office buildings and important elements, like windows to obtain natural lighting and ventilation to reduce their energy consumption have been ignored. This dissertation evaluates the potential of energy savings in office buildings through the use of hybrid ventilation strategies in two different Brazilian climatic regions. The method consists in measuring sensors for collecting humidity and temperature data at the time air conditioners are started so as to obtain the setpoint temperature. The results were used in computer simulations of both thermal performance and daylighting through EnergyPlus and Daysim software, respectively. A model of the office building, with efficient lighting (dimmable), was analyzed. Hybrid ventilation strategies were adopted for verifying the influence on energy savings due to a reduced use of artificial air conditioning (in periods in which it was possible). The results show a 30% reduction in the consumption of air conditioning and a 12% impact of hybrid ventilation on the total energy consumption of the building. However, such strategies caused an 84% reduction in the thermal discomfort in the environment. According to the results, the impact of hybrid ventilation on the potential energy savings by the use of efficient daylighting, in some cases, may not be so significant, whereas the reduction in the level of thermal discomfort is quite significant. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 12/18138-6 - Potential energy savings in office buildings with hybrid ventilation strategies
• Grantee: Rosilene Regolão Brugnera
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master