A master thesis from Aalborg University
Cost- and climate-optimal levels in a multi-objective building energy optimization: The case of a Danish Single-Family House renovation in line with the EPBD
Author(s)
Term
4. Term
Education
Publication year
2025
Submitted on
2025-01-08
Pages
101 pages
Abstract
According to the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive EU/2010/31 (EPBD), Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs) should transform existing buildings into zero emissions by 2050 while following cost-optimal principles whereas Danish policies have moved that goal to 2045. Most studies have focused on drastically reducing the Primary Energy Consumption (PEC) of building projects yet excluding their carbon emission assessment. This study presents a methodology that integrates the three dimensions of energy efficiency, environmental impact and costs by exploring a number of thermal envelope EEMs on a reference building. The study investigates the impact of most common industry-used and bio-based materials through energy performance, climate impact and costs calculations. The aim of this study is to identify the cost-optimal and climate optimal levels of 10,000 Energy-Saving Measures (ESMs), integrating two dimensional spaces into a three dimensional interplay, evaluating the existence of a cost-climate optimal solution. The method is applied to evaluate and reduce the trade-offs between multiple, possibly conflicting, objectives. Building retrofits have proved both cost and climate-effectiveness. The Cost- Climate-optimal optimal level of a Danish reference Single-family house (SFH) resulted in 115.5 kWh/m2/year. Investments in roof insulation together with specific window retrofits concluded crucial. Although this solution embodies the largest cost reduction, with 15% decrease, and a 13% of carbon emissions, its PEC reduction was deemed insufficient. Consequently, optimal results indicate a substantial gap with minimum energy performance requirements, challenging nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) accession.
Keywords
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