Comparative energy models for industrial builidngs thermal performances

An experimental study is presented concerning development of energy saving potential in prefabricated industrial buildings, through comparative energy simulation models. According latest European policy and programs focus the research field is into retrofit and refurbishment of existing building. The building stock in industrial sector in Italy is rather obsolete, with low comfort conditions and high energy consumption. In Italy, only few studies deal with this topic to support assessments about average actual or potential energy saving quality of industrial buildings. This study, based on selected case-studies, aimed to establish general background and effective criteria for refurbishment actions. One “key factor” for energy saving in prefabricated industrial building is the thermal performance of the envelope (walls, roofs and windows), where reduction of energy consumption, for full air conditioning, is directly related to envelope thermal performance. Energy building design tools have been used, such as Ecotect Analysis, Heat 2.0 and Wufi Pro, to investigate how different envelope assemblages affect the energy consumptions in industrial buildings with different size starting on common scenarios. Proceeding from statistic data of existing common buildings in Italy, and most diffused building elements, like concrete prefabricated wall panels etc, some general case studies are defined and used to run energy simulations. The results give back a range of average energy analysis to compare and evaluate mean efficiency factor of real buildings and show potential energy benefits obtainable with various single or multiple refurbishment options. Therefore, having control over the dominant factors in the building envelope is indeed an important step in the path to achieving energy savings and carbon reduction in industrial buildings.