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2009
Conference Paper
Titel
Benchmarking of low "exergy" buildings
Abstract
There is an obvious and indisputable need for an increase in the efficiency of energy utilisation in buildings. Heating, cooling and lighting appliances in buildings account for more than one third of the wolrd's primary energy demand. In turn, building stock is a major contributor to energy related environmental problems. There are great potentials, which can be obtained through a more efficient use of energy in buildings. An optimisation of the exergy flows in buildings and the related supply structures, similar to other thermodynamic systems such as power stations, can help in identifying the potential of increased efficiency in energy utilisation.Through analyses, it can be shown that calculations based on the energy conservation and primary energy concept alone are inadequate for gaining a full understanding of all important aspects of energy utilisation processes. The high potential for a further increase in the efficiency of; for example, boilers, can not be quantified by energy analysis - the ehergy efficiency is close to 100%; however, this potential can be showed by using exergy efficieny of a common gas boiler is about 8%. The Low Exergy (LowEx) approach entails matching the quality levels of exergy supply and demand, in order to streamline the utilisation of high-value energy resources and minimise the irreversible dissipation of low-value energy into the environment. This approach is the key concept for the work of Annex 49 on energy use and supply structures in the built environment. Using a typical case, the advantages of the analyses and the difference between energy and exergy analyses are demonstrated. In conclusion, based on an analysis of a real and existing building suggestions for a benchmarking system for so-called LowEx buildings are presented. In order to achieve an exergy optimised building design, loads on the building service system have to be reduced as much as possible. The suggested benchmarking method gives an engineering approach to archive those building system configurations.