Speaker: Dott. Dario Cottafava

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Abstract:

Energy Efficiency Indices (EEI) are useful tools to monitor the performance of energy consumption of buildings. While various indices have been proposed, there is no generally recognized index for large building stocks, because of several factors which complicate their analysis.  The heterogeneity in building function and structure, number of users, and opening hours, for instance, directly affect the energy consumption. In this context, the University of Turin (Unito) is an interesting case study: it counts over one hundred buildings, in and around the city of Turin with different architectural features and functions.

The Energy Working Group of UniTo Green Office (UniToGO), an interdisciplinary hub for sustainability at UniTo, started a thorough review of the university energy consumption in 2014. Our approach is based on the simplest data available for any building: monthly energy consumption, number of users, total area, and building functions. Starting from the available data, several scatter graphs can be analysed and, comparing different indices, a few clusters can be identified, allowing to set priorities for energy efficiency actions.

This approach can support the Energy Management in identifying suitable and proper targets whereas the most common and simplest indices actually fail. Results obtained for specific buildings will be reported and planned solutions to improve energy efficiency will be presented.