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Title Building-integrated greenhouses raise energy co-benefits through active ventilation systems
ID_Doc 26532
Authors Muñoz-Liesa, J; Royapoor, M; Cuerva, E; Gassó-Domingo, S; Gabarrell, X; Josa, A
Title Building-integrated greenhouses raise energy co-benefits through active ventilation systems
Year 2022
Published
DOI 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108585
Abstract Buildings and greenhouses consume vast amounts of energy and natural resources for heating and ventilation. It is still unclear how the synergetic effect of combining greenhouses and buildings' forced waste airflows could improve both systems' energy efficiency. This study quantified the energy recovery potential of exchanging airflows in a rooftop greenhouse (iRTG) integrated with an office building HVAC system in a Mediterranean climate. Using monitored and calibrated energy model data, the results showed that the iRTG can act as a solar collector and as a sink for a building's low-grade waste heat. The magnitude of harvested thermal energy that could be recirculated into the building by the integrated HVAC system was 205.2 kWh/m(2)y(-1) and was limited by greenhouse low transmissivity (54%). The magnitude of building exhaust air was 198 kWh/m(2)y(-1) at temperatures sufficient to heat and cool the iRTG. Compared to a passive ventilated configuration, the integration of active ventilation strategies doubled the energy benefits. Building ventilation requirements directly determined building and greenhouse waste flows and energy benefits, which increased by 63.1% when air changes per hour moved from 1.59 to 3.16. Overall, this demonstrates that greenhouse and building functionalities could be coupled to contribute to urban circularity and sustainability.
Author Keywords Urban agriculture; Industrial ecology; Circular economy; Energy efficiency; Rooftop greenhouses; HVAC systems
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000781272900002
WoS Category Construction & Building Technology; Engineering, Environmental; Engineering, Civil
Research Area Construction & Building Technology; Engineering
PDF https://doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108585
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