Energy analysis, numerical simulations and intervention proposals for a NZEB industrial building: the “Loccioni Leaf Lab” case study

¹ CIRIAF Interuniversity Research Centre, University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 63 Perugia, Italia
² Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering – University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 93 Perugia, Italia
³ Loccioni, Via Fiume 16, Angeli di Rosora Ancona, Italia
⁴ Università Politecnica delle Marche – Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Via Brecce Bianche Ancona, Italy
⁵ Department of Engineering and Geology Università degli Studi “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti – Pescara, Viale Pindaro, 42 65127 Pescara, Italy
⁶ Department of Engineering – University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 93 Perugia, Italia

^* Corresponding author: elisa.moretti@unipg.it

Abstract

The object of this paper is the “Loccioni Leaf Lab”, an industrial nZEB connected to a thermal and electric smart grid. Having nZEB buildings connected to a smart grid offers the possibility of maximizing the benefits that can be obtained by optimal regulation of the grid itself, providing excellent economic and energy results. The case study, which hosts offices and workers operating on test benches, features high performance envelope, solar photovoltaic systems, groundwater heat pumps and a hightechnology control and monitoring system. In order to analyse HVAC-related energy consumptions, the building was modelled using DesignBuilder and EnergyPlus software. The annual dynamic simulations for the assessment of building thermal-energy performance were carried out using available monitored weather data (2019). The model was validated according to ASHRAE guidelines, comparing the outputs of the software with data collected and stored by Company internal database. In the validation process, mean indoor air temperatures of several zones and heating and cooling energy consumptions were considered as key outputs. The validated model has then been used to suggest optimization strategies and to analyse the results obtained with proposed interventions in terms of energy saving.