Evaluation of sustainable energy options for non-residential buildings

Abstract

The building sector, as the major energy consumers, demands most ofthe energy research to assess different energy suppliers from various aspects. In thisstudy, two non-residential buildings, one being commercial and the other industrial, are chosen as case studies. For these case studies, two different renewable energytechnologies and one hybrid system are considered for a specified size. Theenvironmental impact indices, renewable energy indices, and the renewable exergyindices have been evaluated for every energy options. The results obtained indicatethat the hybrid system (without considering the economics factors) is superior sincehaving top indices. The importance of the energy consumption patterns in buildingswere proven by the indices. Utilization of the non-fossil fuels is one part of thesolution to environmental hazards while energy conservation being the other. It isshown that the re-design of the energy resources would be achievable for buildings.