High energy efficiency renovation options for a typical apartment. the case study of the SPITI project

Abstract

The need for reduced energy consumption dictates a new way of thinking about the design, construction, and renovation of buildings. Proposing a repurposing retrofit of a top-floor apartment of a typical Greek multi-storey building, the International Hellenic University has qualified to the final stage of the Solar Decathlon Europe 2019 competition. The main aim of this study is to provide a solution towards the nearly (or net) zero energy buildings, paving the way for EU countries to achieve their energy conservation targets in the building sector. The solution includes the upgrade of the building envelope and its energy systems, the rearrangement of the interior space and the implementation of renewable energy sources. The assessment of the different retrofitting measures was carried out using EnergyPlus, while the System Advisory Model was employed to simulate the prototype's solar systems. The final energy demand was reduced by approximately 88%, with the requirements for heating and cooling at 10.3 kWh/m2 and 14.1 kWh/m2, respectively. The electricity production from the photovoltaic system, namely 4,959 kWhe, can meet the annual electricity requirements leading to a 100% self-sufficient building.