Novel methodology for the optimization of the retrofitting

Abstract

This paper aims to present a novel methodology that permits to determine the optimal retrofitting actions to be implemented in a given building of the tertiary sector, based on its architectonic characteristics (e.g. volume, useful area, orientation, walls thermal transmittance, etc.), climatic conditions (i.e. solar radiation, temperature) and operation profiles. The proposed methodology has been developed by the technological centers "Eurecat" and "Fundació CTM Centre Tecnològic", in the framework of two national research projects. The proposed methodology is based on the combination of mathematical models that characterize the annual energy demand vectors of a given building based on its characteristics, and the use of an evolutionary-based optimization algorithms to evaluate the different (available) retrofitting actions for both the passive and active part of the building, with objective to determine the optimal ones in terms of energy efficiency, investment and maintenance cost and GHG emissions reduction. The proposed methodology has been developed as a beta software tool for windows-based operating systems, which through a simplified graphic user interface permits the customization of the databased, the configuration of the building's characteristics, as well as the evaluation and optimization of different retrofitting actions in both the passive and active parts of a given building. Finally, it presents graphically and numerically the obtained results.