Production of thermal energy in University building greenhouses in cold climate conditions

¹ FCT – University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005–139 Faro, Portugal
² CINTAL, Campus de Gambelas, 8005–139 Faro, Portugal
³ School of Built Environment, University of Reading, Reading, RG6 6AW, UK

^* Corresponding author: econcei@ualg.pt

Abstract

The present work focuses on the production of thermal energy in University building greenhouses in cold climate conditions. The building model uses a system of energy and mass balance integral equations, which are solved by the Runge–Kutta–Felberg method with error control. This numerical study is about the thermal behaviour of a university building with complex topology, in winter and transient conditions. The thermal comfort of the occupants, using the Predicted Mean Vote index, and the indoor air quality, using the carbon dioxide concentration, are evaluated. This building has 319 compartments distributed by four floors and it is equipped with one internal greenhouse in the third floor. This greenhouse is located on the south facing facade and the heated air in this space will be transported to compartments located on the north facing façade. The spaces subject to the influence of the heated air coming from the greenhouse improve the level of thermal comfort of its occupants. The level of indoor air quality in occupied spaces is acceptable according to international standards.