Analysis of energy efficiency and thermal comfort for an office building complex located in Poland - A case study

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of energy demand for an office buildings complex located in Gdansk, Poland. The analyses were performed with advanced computer simulations using the Energy Plus software. Simulations were validated by comparing their results with the actual energy consumption data for one of the buildings belonging to the complex and information gathered from complex owner and technical office. The paper includes the effectiveness analysis of using various sources and distribution systems for heating/cooling, use of the phase-change material as internal ceiling layer, reflective glass application and use solar energy produced by photovoltaic glass and PV panels located on the roofs. For each of the variants, thermal comfort analysis was carried out. The aim of the analysis is to examine the time variation and peak load reductions of power demand for the considered variants, indicated as possible to be introduced by the complex owner.