engleski

Energy saving achieved with adaptive setpoint temperatures in the cities of the algarve (Portugal)

The deceleration of climate change and the decrease of environmental degradation are two of the main international problems of the society. High emissions of Greenhouse Gases are generating more and more extreme living conditions. Regarding existing buildings, their high energy consumption is mainly responsible for the contributions of Greenhouse Gases emissions to the atmosphere. Ambitious goals for reducing Greenhouse Gases emissions have therefore been established by 2050 [1]. For example, the European Union has set the objective of reducing emissions of these gases by 90% in the building sector [1]. This study analyses the potential of the energy saving achieved using adaptive setpoint temperatures. These setpoint temperatures based on different adaptive thermal comfort models as energy conservation measures have been analysed in previous research works. These studies have shown that the energy savings achieved with these energy conservation measures are higher in cooling than in heating. Therefore, these measures have a greater potential for application in warm climates. Nevertheless, these studies have been carried out in the same cities (e.g., Seville or Madrid) [2, 3]. Thus, the conduct of new studies that apply these measures in other warm climatic zones could allow to have a greater knowledge about their potential of application. For this reason, this research applied this energy conservation measures in a case study located in the cities of Algarve (the southernmost region of continental Portugal). According to decree-law 80/2006 [4], Algarve has the most severe summer climatic classification (V1), as well as different winter classifications (I1, I2, and I3). This aspect could vary the potential for applying the measures in the cities of Algarve. The standard EN16798-1:2019 [5], is therefore used in this research. The case study was analysed using EnergyPlus. The energy consumption obtained with adaptive setpoint temperatures was compared to that obtained using a static setpoint temperatures. The results reflected the potential for the energy saving obtained by using adaptive setpoint temperatures in Algarve. Moreover, the results were compared with demographic and employability indicators [6] in order to have more knowledge about the impact of this energy conservation measure in the region.

Energy consumption, adaptive setpoint temperatures, Algarve, building, HVAC system

nije evidentirano