Our team
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scientific leader leading researcher Andris Jakovičs |
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administrative manager Liene Bandeniece |
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leader researcher Diāna Bajāre |
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researcher Staņislavs Gendelis |
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leading researcher Inga Apine |
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scientific assistant Jānis Ratnieks |
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researcher Jurģis Zemītis |
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IT engineer Jevgeņijs Džeriņš |
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assistant Māris Šinka |
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Summary
This project aims at contributing to the enforcement of the requirements of Directive 2012/27/ EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy efficiency in the temperate climate zone, including Latvia, providing the construction of nearly-zero energy buildings (nZEB) from 2019. For economically justifiable mass construction with regard to nearly-zero energy buildings (nZEB) systemic solutions are required - smart technologies and software for management of the building systems need to be developed alongside industrially manufactured, lightweight and adaptive structures and a minimised labour-intensity of the assembly on-site.
In this non-business project in cooperation with Riga Technical University (RTU) industrial researches will be carried out in order to develop the sustainable solutions of the building envelopes based mainly on the cellular wood structures with an integrated network of microcapillary heat exchangers for buildings’ heating and cooling using renewable energy resources: a ground–water heat pump and heat recovery in the ventilated facade and through the ground. In order to minimise the energy consumption needed for set indoor thermal comfort under conditions with a rapidly changing solar radiation and great diurnal temperature variation, both passive solutions, including the use of phase change materials (PCM) and the remote management software based on the measurements of the built-in sensors with the operational weather forecast will be developed.
The analysis of selected solutions with local and high-tech materials (e.g. aerogels) will be made using the multiphysical modelling of mass and heat transfer processes. Prospective materials and system's elements will be tested in different ways under laboratory conditions; and the complex in-situ testing concerning the efficiency of the management software, and the optimized building constructive solutions will be performed under real climate conditions in the experimental buildings creating the nZEB prototype therein. The project outcomes - functional models, testing and monitoring data and analysis of numerical modelling results will establish a knowledge database for an economically justifiable and sustainable implementation of the lightweight, adaptive industrial building structures and adequate building management systems to provide indoor thermal comfort and effective use of renewable resources appropriate to specific climate conditions.
This research and development project (NACE 72.19 and 41.10) is intended to be implemented from 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2020.
Keywords: nearly zero energy buildings, adaptive materials, smart technologies, functional models, climate conditions.
The Aim
The overall objective of the project is to contribute to the enforcement of the requirements of Directive 2012/27/ EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy efficiency in the temperate climate zone, including Latvia, creating know-how necessary for that purpose. The specific objective of the project is the development of the complex solutions based on the smart materials, innovative technologies and renewable resources for the nearly zero energy buildings (nZEB), the optimization and testing of their energy efficiency and sustainability by creating an experimental prototype and performing its monitoring under real climate conditions. This is necessary because, in accordance with that Directive, an economically justifiable mass construction with regard to nZEB should be started in 2019. Thus this study corresponds to the priorities "Smart materials, technologies and technical systems" and "Smart energy".
In this non-business oriented project the systemic solutions will be made - smart technologies and software for the energy efficient management of buildings´ heating, cooling, ventilation systems and optimal indoor thermal comfort need to be developed alongside industrially manufactured, lightweight and adaptive building structures and a minimised labour-intensity of the assembly on-site.
The specific objective of the project is the development of know-how concerning an energy efficient and sustainable construction under the temperate climatic conditions (also in Latvia). For reaching it the proposed complex approach of this project including such aspects as materials, the constructive solutions, the building systems, the management software etc., on the one hand, and functional models for numerical modelling and prototype, on the other hand, is essential. The attendant objective of the development is to facilitate the use of economically justifiable local materials (e.g. wood pellets, chips and similar products) and the use of renewable energy resources (e.g. heat pumps) which are important for the development of the Latvian economy.
The established a publicly available know-how database will provide the possibility for the construction companies to choose options of the adequate, energy efficient and experimentally tested solutions for building technologies and appropriate systems for specific projects.
Problems and solutions
Directive 2012/27/ EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy efficiency determines the significant requirements concerning a reduction in the consumption of energy in the building construction sectors, including construction of nearly-zero energy buildings (nZEB) from 2019. Greenhouse gas emissions and related global warming processes are topical challenge facing the world; the construction branch has a very important role in solving this issue because in certain countries (also in Latvia) it determines in fact more than half of the total energy consumption. In Northern Europe dominates the energy consumption for heating, in southern Europe - for cooling, while in the European temperate climatic zone (incl. Latvia) with a great diurnal temperature variation and high relative air humidity the complex and optimally controlled solutions for heating, ventilation and cooling are required in order to ensure category A of thermal comfort conditions and quality of life. In such circumstances, the required “peak” capacity and the total energy consumption are notably influenced by the choice of the construction materials and the building constructive solutions, so the dilemma arises between their impact on energy efficiency, sustainability and the total life-cycle costs.
Therefore, in addition to high-tech materials and structures the use of effective local materials, locally available renewable energy resources and various passive technologies are of great importance for economy. Taking into account the above mentioned the optimal solutions are only possible based on systemic approach to addressing the challenges of existing complex energy efficiency, thermal comfort and sustainability. It is therefore necessary to combine the complementary approaches of process research including the testing in-situ and under laboratory conditions, numerical heat transfer modelling, estimation of indoor thermal comfort conditions, analysis of total life-cycle costs of the complex solutions and the long-term monitoring under real climate conditions.
Such necessity is determined by the fact that the properties of structures are changing during operations both immediately after their construction and over the long-term process of ageing. Thus, the outcomes of the calculations and laboratory testing, as shown by previous research experience, may differ considerably from the actual physical properties when operating structures and building systems under real climate conditions.
It is essential to note, that there is no experimental testing ground in the temperate climatic zone similar to one, which is constructed at the UL. The various measuring equipment for required laboratory measurements an appropriate mathematical modelling software base (ANSYS, HeatMod etc.) are also accessible to the project partners for further developments. The highly qualified personnel provide assurance that the project objectives will be achieved qualitatively within the planned time-frame.
In order to effectively address existing challenges of this project within the complex approach, the main attention focuses on the least studied factors for the temperate climatic zone incl. Latvia:
sustainable materials with the adaptive thermal and humidity properties;
lightweight local materials, including different wood products and pellets;
energy efficient constructive solutions with a high degree of integration and industrial preparedness;
appropriate solutions for the use of renewable resources, including heat pumps;
sustainable passive solutions to ensure thermal comfort with reduced energy consumption;
high-precision functional models and software for the prediction of the energy consumption and the thermal comfort conditions concerning nZEBs;
user-friendly software for the building management systems, using the measurements of the built-in sensors and an operational meteorological forecast.
the creation of the nZEB prototype and the long-term monitoring under real climate conditions.
Thus, a set of obtained knowledge not only directly improves the competence of researchers involved and the quality of education and training at the UL and RTU in a particular field, but also will be available and useful for all persons involved in the construction branch in order to enable them to choose energy efficient, thoroughly verified and sustainable solutions.
Target group
The direct target group of the project includes researchers, PhD students and students working in the fields of engineering science, applied physics and environmental sciences, whose competence by involving them in the project activities will be purposefully developed in the research fields such as energy efficiency and sustainability, as well as the quality of life. This target group is determined by the interdisciplinary nature of the research to be performed. Thus, by improving the competence of personnel and the practical experience as a whole, capacities of both universities will be significantly increased concerning the development of researches with a practical applications, researches of thermally adaptive building materials, researches of smart measuring and management systems, the evaluation of building sustainability and environmental quality, as well as in training of applied physics' professionals at the UL and building engineers at the RTU. These professionals are of vital importance for the development of the Latvian industry.
The indirect target group and the users of the project outcomes are the Latvian companies from the building construction industry (both the producers of construction products, building systems and construction companies) which need knowledge about independently tested, constructive adaptive and intelligent nZEB systems solutions in order to ensure the practical enforcement of Directive 2012/27/ EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy efficiency in Latvia, as well as to enhance their competitiveness in Europe and in the world.
The developed know-how will be made available to all construction branch professionals. Thus, it will be also indirectly available for other experts involved into areas of building construction and building operation (building engineers, architects, construction project developers, energy auditors etc.). They will have access to verified information, independent from producers, regarding characteristics of up-to-date materials and technologies, efficient use, as well as the existing limitations. The prototype created for a new technology nZEB with the use of renewable resources for heating, cooling and ventilation will be made available to the general public in the territory of the UL Botanic Garden and may be demonstrated to a wide audience.
Where as it necessary to ensure the construction of nZEB in EU (also in Latvia) from 2019, the beneficiaries in the future will be all the occupants of such buildings where solutions of lightweight structures, developed and tested, the building systems with the use of renewable resources and their management systems based on the operational meteorological forecast will be used.
Impact of the project
New and improved solutions for the building constructions based on adaptive lightweight materials, recommendation for the climate-optimized usage of renewable energy sources for the heating, cooling and ventilation, as well as experimentally tested user-friendly smart building management system with built-in weather forecast module will be developed in the frame of this project. All the research results and created solutions will be extremely useful for nearly zero energy buildings (nZEB) [1] in temperate climate zone with a large diurnal temperature variation and high air humidity. Physical properties of the building materials and constructions, as well as building management for nZEBs built in such climate zone are more complex because of the important impact of dynamic heat and moisture transfer effects and planned integration of weather forecast module will have a significant effect on improvement of building’s energy efficiency. In addition, use of globally actual phase change materials (PCM) will be analysed during planned experiments.
This project promotes the fulfilment of the requirements of Directive 2012/27/ EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy efficiency temperate climate zone incl. Latvia, helping to ensure the efficiency and sustainability mandatory requirements for nZEB construction from 2019 for state-owned buildings and from 2012 for all newly constructed building [3, 4].
The obtained results will have the global impact, because of developed, optimized and experimentally tested building solutions, smart usage of renewable energy and weather forecast-based building management system will promote the improvement of building’s energy efficiency and, therefore, the reduction CO2 emissions; thermal comfort and safety requirements will be ensured too. Therefore, the project will provide the significant contribution in field of global building physics science.
Building’s energy efficiency, heat pump operation and thermal comfort research study made in exist experimental buildings, which are built in frame of previous projects, are widely used not only for highly scientific publication, but also for dozens of popular publication in Latvian press and for many by the University of Latvia organized workshops for builders and wide audience [5]. In the same way, all the results, findings and suggestion get from this project will made public available in local press and other mass media, as well as key results and recommendations will be presented at specially organized informative events for construction sector’s professionals and architects, improving their knowledge and qualifications and helping to choose optimal solutions for nZEB construction, which will be required in the coming years.
The aim of the research project comply with the first economic transformation direction "Structural changes of production and export in the traditional sectors of the economy" and 3rd priority "Energy efficiency” from the Latvian smart specialization strategy RIS3 [6].
Multiphysical modelling of mass and heat transfer processes, dozens of laboratory and in-situ experiments, as well as creating the real nZEB prototype and analysis of the results makes closer links between universities involved in the project, contributing the exchange of complementary theoretical and practical knowledge. It will provide an opportunity for bachelor or master students to prepare their works based on projects’ findings and expand the spectrum of scientific services provided by the universities for industrial customers (e.g. testing of materials or BMS software modules using built nZEB prototype).
[1] http://bpie.eu/documents/BPIE/publications/LR_nZEB%20study.pdf
[2] R. Lamedica, S. Teodori, G. Carbone, E. Santini, An energy management software for smart buildings with V2G and BESS, Sustainable Cities and Society, Volume 19, 2015, pp. 173-183.
[3] http://www.nezeh.eu/assets/media/PDF/bpie_factsheetnzeb_definitions_across_europe115.pdf
[4] http://likumi.lv/doc.php?id=258322
[5] http://www.eem.lv
[6] http://www.izm.gov.lv/images/RIS3_Baltic_dimension_25032015.pdf
Justification of the project approach
Directive 2012/27/ EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy efficiency determines the significant requirements for reduction of energy consumption in the buildings (the objective of saving 20% of the EU’s primary energy consumption), including the obligations or nearly-zero energy buildings (nZEB) construction. In Northern Europe dominates the energy consumption for heating, in southern Europe - for cooling, while in the temperate climatic zone with high relative air humidity (incl. Latvia) the energy consumption for both – heating and cooling is needed, especially in autumns and springs, when a great diurnal temperature variation exist. One of the solution for decreasing of energy consumption in buildings for this case is using of materials with high thermal capacity, which helps to reduce effect of short-term temperature "peaks" on heating and cooling load. Another possibility to reduce those "peaks" is smart controlled management solutions for heating, ventilation and cooling systems, which makes temperature control more effective by reducing unnecessary energy consumption, e.g. when heat amount is provided with the help of intensive solar radiation or there are no people in the premises and temperature be controlled no so precisely. The use of environment-friendly and sustainable raw materials for nZEB construction and usage of energy from renewable sources produced on-site or nearby is very important in terms of CO2 reduction for the whole building´s life cycle analysis.
The complex approach that will be used during the project includes such studies:
Experimental research (incl. laboratory and in-situ measurements) of lightweight local materials and materials with the adaptive thermal and humidity properties;
Analysis and numerical modelling of energy efficient constructive solutions with a high degree of integration and industrial maturity;
Experimental research for the use of renewable resources in local climate, including heat pumps;
Experimental research of sustainable passive solutions (e.g. ground ventilation system) to ensure thermal comfort with reduced energy consumption;
User-friendly software development for the building management systems, using the measurements of the built-in sensors and an operational meteorological forecast;
the creation of the nZEB prototype building
It is essential to note, that all in-situ measurements of physical properties of materials and constructions as well as energy efficiency monitoring of nZEB prototype building will be made at the same testing ground, where another test building exist, thus ensuring comparison with historical and real-time data from another experimental buildings
Scientific value of project results, innovation level and compliance for ensuring the needs of the specific sector of national economy
Planned scientific values of project are as follows:
Experimental estimation of important thermophysical parameters of adaptive building materials and innovative building structures using laboratory and in-situ measurements; and analysis of their possible improvement;
Developing and improvement of mathematical models and software modules used for energy efficiency calculations for nZEB;
Developing and comprehensive testing of software for smart building management systems using an innovative solution – an operative meteorological forecast and buildings’ thermal inertia properties;
Optimisation of complex solutions for nZEB in temperate zone climate with great diurnal temperature variation and high air humidity including materials, structures and building technologies;
Approbation and monitoring of selected solutions in an erected nZEB prototype under real climate conditions.
Innovative level of planned nZEB research approach is determined by the fact that it is systematic, including:
Complex analysis of the used materials and building constructions; study of impact of building management systems (heating, cooling and ventilation) on total energy consumption (energy efficiency); estimation of thermal comfort conditions in a room and buildings sustainability;
A combination of thermophysical calculation, modelling of building energy balance and numerical estimation of thermal comfort conditions with the experimentally available measurements of properties for real materials and building structures, and verification using energy consumption data for a building which is operated under real climatic conditions.
Such a testing concept and opportunities under real climate conditions in temperate climate zone is unique.
The users of the project outcomes are the Latvian companies from the building construction industry (both the producers of construction products, building systems and construction companies) which need knowledge about independently tested, constructive adaptive and intelligent nZEB systems solutions in order to ensure the practical enforcement of Directive 2012/27/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on energy efficiency in Latvia, as well as to enhance their competitiveness in Europe and in the world.
The project´s results and developed know-how will be made available to all construction branch professionals. Thus, it will be also available for other experts involved into areas of building construction and building operation (building engineers, architects, construction project developers, energy auditors etc.). They will have access to verified information, independent from producers, regarding characteristics of up-to-date materials and technologies, efficient use, as well as the existing limitations.
Results of research have direct positive impact to the RIS3 defined economic transformation direction "Structural changes of production and export in the traditional sectors of the economy", 3rd priority "Energy efficiency" and in the following sectors of national economy (NACE 2): "41. Construction of buildings" and "71. Architectural and engineering activities; technical testing and analysis".
Target group
A building management system or BMS (known also as building automation system, BAS), is a computer-based control system installed in buildings that controls and monitors the building’s mechanical and electrical equipment such as heating and cooling systems, ventilation, lighting, fire systems etc. Systems linked to a BMS typically represent 40% of a building´s energy usage; if lighting is included, this number approaches to 70%. BMS systems are a critical component to managing energy demand.
Some of the energy efficiency connected BMS benefits are:
Control of internal thermal comfort, including possibility of individual control for separate rooms
Effective monitoring and targeting of energy consumption
Effective response to HVAC-related complaints
Taking into account factors, that effect the energy consumption or thermal comfort conditions in a building (e.g. presence of inhabitants, indoor air humidity, outside temperature, solar irradiation, wind properties) and following taking of some pre-defined automatic actions like switching off the lighting in the empty rooms, intensification of the ventilation in case of CO2 increasing or reduction of heating power during sunshine hours allows to reduce energy consumption in the whole building while ensuring optimal comfort conditions. Described BMS system is extremely necessary for the buildings with low energy consumption (high performance buildings or nearly zero energy buildings).
One of the innovative ideas to be investigated, optimized, implemented and widely tested under real climate conditions in the frame of planned project using nZEB prototype is to integrate a weather forecast module into building management system, thereby modifying existing BMS into a smart BMS with prediction functionality. Operational (short-term) weather forecasting method, which is very accurate for short time periods, is planned to be used, because for the smart control of nZEB’s systems it is very important to have the very reliable and as accurately as possible information. The availability of weather data for the next hours will allow to smart control of following:
reducing of heating system´s power when increasing of outside temperature and/or intensive sunshine is expected. Additional building´s data (e.g. heat capacity, internal heat sources) will be needed for the determination of exact reduction parameters;
increasing of heating system´s power when decreasing of outside temperature is expected. Additional building´s data will be needed for the determination of exact reduction parameters;
closing the outer window blinds when high wind speed is expected;
other weather-dependent and with the help of BMS controllable parameters like lighting, air exchange etc.
The BMS’s software programs are usually configured in a hierarchical manner using such protocols as C-Bus, Profibus. Vendors are also producing BMSs that integrate using Internet protocols and open standards such as DeviceNet, SOAP, XML, BACnet, LonWorks and Modbus.
The use of BMS interfaces with the complete open protocol (e.g. KNX) is planned to be used for the planned development of nZEB prototype including weather forecast module, because of lower installation and operational costs, greater expandability, easier to manage. Such system is extremely flexible and is forward compatible with future building automation technologies. Very important factor is ability to remove, change or replace any part of the system with any other brand.
Innovative thermal insulation materials
The thermal insulation materials and solutions of tomorrow have to satisfy several crucial requirements, for example, the proposed thermal conductivity requirement in the pristine condition is a conductivity less than 4 mW/(mK) and stability during their service life.
Vacuum insulation and Aerogels panels are most promising high performance thermal insulation materials for possible building applications. Only limited commercial products are available so far and their application in buildings is still limited.
Typical conductivity for non-aged vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) is less than 4 mW/(mK) and will be same after a certain period of time or service life, that is vital importance. VIPs can be subdivided into three categories: vacuum insulation panels (VIPs), vacuum insulating sandwiches (VISs) or sheet-encapsulated vacuum insulation panels and vacuum insulating glazing (VIG).
Gas-filled panels (GFP) are similar to VIPs. The GFPs apply a gas less thermal conductive than air, e.g. argon (Ar), krypton (Kr) and xenon (Xe), instead of vacuum as in the VIPs. To maintain the low-conductive gas concentration inside the GFPs and avoid air and moisture penetration into the GFPs are crucial to the thermal performance of these panels. Vacuum is a better thermal insulator than the various gases employed in the GFPs. On the other hand, the GFP grid structure does not have to withstand an inner vacuum as the VIPs. Low emissivity surfaces inside the GFPs decreases the radiative heat transfer. Thermal conductivities for prototype GFPs are quite high, e.g. 40 mW/(mK), although much lower theoretical values have been calculated. The GFPs have many of the VIPs advantages and disadvantages.
In the Nano insulation materials (NIM) the pore size within the material is decreased below a certain level, i.e. 40 nm or below for air, in order to achieve an overall thermal conductivity of less than 4 mW/(mK) in the pristine condition. The structure of NIMs is different from VIMs and GIMs, therefore prevention of air and moisture penetration into their pore structure during their service is needed.
Commercial Aerogels have thermal conductivity down to 13 mW/(m K) and they show remarkable characteristics compared to traditional thermal insulation materials. Also the possibility of high transmittances in the solar spectrum is of high interest for the construction sector. The high potential for aerogels may be especially found in its translucency and possible transparency, as the aerogels may provide large energy savings in future windows and skylights.
Phase change materials (PCM) are not really thermal insulation materials, but they are interesting for thermal energy storage applications in building. PCMs change phase from solid state to liquid when heated, thus absorbing energy in the endothermic process. Various paraffins are typically examples of PCMs, but their low thermal conductivity and a large volume change during phase transition limits their building application.
Materials based on natural fibres from renewable raw material resources are now becoming increasingly popular due to its low mass density and cell structure. They show very good sound and thermal insulation properties, often better and more advantageous than synthetic fibres. Another advantage is that it is a renewable material, which does not place any significant strain on the environment.
Activity Overview
| No. | Title of project activity | Description of the activity |
| 1. | The project scientific management | The aim of the activity is to guarantee a high-quality execution of the project and the achievement of its performance indicators. In order to ensure this aim the project scientific leader will perform a current planning of work within the project activities and controlling their execution. |
| 1.1. | Ensuring the achieving of the project performance indicators | The meeting of project staff will be organised no less than every 3 months, during which the tasks performed within the project will be presented and discussed. Based on is, the next steps for research activities will be arranged (including any necessary adjustments in the project implementation); scientific reports, participation in conferences and scientific publications will be planned; other publicity activities such as popular publications, participation in exhibitions, seminars for industry professionals etc. |
| 1.2 | Ensuring of project scientific quality | The workshops of project staff will be organised no less than every 3 months, during which the results of the current research will be presented and discussed. Other experts and interested persons, if necessary, will be invited to participate in these workshops, especially those who are studying for master level and PhD students of the UL and RTU. |
| 1.3. | Preparation and submission of the project’s scientific mid-term and final reports | In accordance with the conditions set out in the programme, reports of the project progress implementation will be prepared and submitted. Middle of the project is September 2018. |
| 2. | Selection of the appropriate innovative technological solutions for the nearly zero energy buildings in climate with a great diurnal temperature variation | By using all available information sources (literature, press, research reports, internet resources, personal communication) solutions in terms of materials, building constructive solutions, building technical and management systems solutions that are prospective for using in nZEB in the temperate climate zone (also in Latvia) with a large diurnal temperature variation will be selected. The following solutions will be sought, including:
- lightweight structured wooden structures with a high degree of industrial maturity and reduced scope of assembly work on-site; - passive elements with adaptive features to essentially increase the thermal inertia (for example, phase change materials); - effective and functional thermal insulation materials (for example, aerogel) and easy, convenient and quality assured mechanical integration technology (wooden and granular materials); - green building envelopes (for example, green roofs and walls); - climate-appropriate use of renewable resources for heating and cooling (for ex., various types of heat pumps); - energy efficient ventilation systems (e.g. ventilation through the ground and along the facade); - the use of online measurements for the monitoring of the building conditions, thermal comfort and energy efficiency and for building management systems control; - the user-friendly management software of smart buildings that can provide a wide range of thermal comfort. |
| 3. | Preliminary studies of selected materials, technologies, buildings and their management systems (see point 2) in terms of compatibility, impact on the quality of life and sustainability to clarify the solving problems | The information regarding solutions (see point 2) that may be used in to achieve the project’s goals will be analysed. The analysis includes such evaluations:
- whether the individual solutions may be realised simultaneously, in what way it is possible and what is their potential interaction; - whether the solutions, as a whole, can ensure a high quality of life (category A of thermal comfort, the minimum level of chemical and microbiological contamination); - whether structures and systems in mutual interaction are sustainable functioning without significant long-time changes of characteristics (e.g. energy efficiency, environment quality). Data from the analysis will be used to specify the options of the complex building solution (prototype), as well as will be fixed for an in-depth experimental research studies under laboratory conditions, mathematical modelling and testing under real climate conditions. |
| 4. | Testing of the physical properties for main elements and solutions under laboratory conditions | |
| 4.1. | The determination of material properties under laboratory conditions | In order to determine or specify essential properties of materials that are potentially to be used in terms of the temperatures and humidity range of interest, the measurements of the following parameters will be carried out in the laboratory:
- thermal conductivity; - thermal capacity; - phase transition heat; - thermal expansion; - porosity; - materials surface emission etc. The measurement results will be collected in the test reports and will be used for the comparison of different properties of materials and for the selection for further researches. |
| 4.2. | The determination of construction properties under laboratory conditions | For selected finished building structures the measurements of the following parameters will be carried out in the laboratory: - thermal resistance and thermal transmittance; - the solar heat gain coefficient for transparent constructions etc. The measurement results will be collected in the test reports and will be used for the comparison of different properties of building structures and for the selection for further researches. |
| 5. | The improvement of management systems and software for smart buildings made from lightweight structures with the aim to ensure the maximum energy efficiency and optimal thermal comfort | As the result of the preliminary study (point 3) the smart building management software will be adapted for long-term researches (at least 1 year) in experimental buildings in the testing ground in Latvian climate. The current software functionality will be improved with additional modules for collection, storage, transferring and visualization of the physical measurements and energy consumption. Additional algorithms and add-in modules will be developed for the efficient use of the data for operational (short-term) meteorological weather forecast in order to stabilise the conditions of thermal comfort in the buildings and improve the energy consumption by reducing the necessary maximum capacities of heating or cooling in a rapidly changing external environmental conditions. Later the developed additional modules and management programme will be simulated in the laboratory conditions and tested under in existing testing buildings in Latvian climate. |
| 6. | The development of the complex solutions with smart elements, the use of renewable resources and the measurement-based management | By using the preliminary studies carried out in point 3 and the results of the measurements obtained in the laboratory made in point 4, the solution variant, which correspond to requirements of the nZEB regarding the building constructive solutions, heating, cooling and ventilation of the buildings and their management systems will be developed. Energy efficiency of these solutions and indoor thermal comfort will be analysed further in point 7. The selected adaptive materials as a result of the preliminary analysis, cellular wood structures, functional thermal insulation materials and passive technologies for stabilisation of thermal conditions will be integrated into these solutions. Technologies with the maximum possible recovery of thermal energy, energy accumulation possibility and use of renewable resources (e.g. heat pumps) will be integrated into heating, cooling and ventilation control systems. The management software developed in point 5 by using the real-time measurements results and operational weather forecast will be used for the management of the thermal comfort conditions and the achieving maximal energy efficiency. The analysis of the total life-cycle costs of the preferred solutions will be made. |
| 7. | The optimization of energy efficiency and indoor thermal comfort by using the improved models of building’s heat balance and multiphysical calculation software | Both an improved building’s heat balance and energy efficiency calculation software HeatMod and a mathematical modelling commercial software ANSYS will be used for the detailed study of the characteristics of the complex solutions developed in point 6 by performing the multi-parameter calculations and optimization. The main purpose of these calculations is to find a set of parameters that provide the necessary balance between the requirements of energy efficiency and indoor thermal comfort condition, which are partly contradictory of each other. |
| 7.1. | Energy efficiency and indoor thermal comfort calculation models and software | The energy efficiency calculation will be improved by the pre-established model of heat balance for buildings implemented in the HeatMod software in order to ensure the more complex calculation of systems needed for nZEB modelling including: - the use of renewable resources for heating, cooling and ventilation, including various types of heat pumps, solar collectors and solar cells; - the detailed calculation of energy recovery for ventilation and hot water supply; - precizētu termiskās inerces ietekmes analīzi, izmantojot dinamisko aprēķina metodi, - pan updated analysis of the impact of thermal inertia by using the dynamic calculation method. In order to analyse the factors of indoor thermal comfort (temperature, humidity, airflows, solar radiation etc.) and their influence on consumption of energy, an appropriate multiphysical mathematical model will be developed and implemented in the commercial modelling software ANSYS CFX and/or Fluent. It will be verified numerically by the parallelised 3D calculations in a multiprocessor system and using the data sets obtained from the existing testing buildings. |
| 7.2. | The analysis of the thermal characteristics of the assemblies of the building constructions | In order to minimise the linear and point thermal bridges in the assemblies of 2D and 3D building structures, the numerical calculations of the selected options will be carried out and their results will be used to optimise the design of the assemblies taking also into account aspects of air and water vapour permeability and their sustainability under real climate conditions with an expressed changes of outside temperatures. |
| 7.3. | The analysis of energy efficiency of nZEB with selected solutions | Using the established functional model of nZEB’s heat balance and the HeatMod software the energy efficiency calculation will be carried out for the buildings with selected constructive and systems solutions. The data of the calculations performed will be analysed to find optimal solutions from the energy consumption point of view, at the same time providing indoor thermal comfort. |
| 7.4. | The analysis of the thermal comfort conditions in the buildings/rooms with selected building constructive solutions | The calculation for indoor temperatures, air flow distribution and humidity will be conducted using the functional models implemented in software ANSYS CFX and/or Fluent. The results obtained will be analysed to find solutions that simultaneously with high energy efficiency (p. 7.3) make it possible to achieve conditions of category A of indoor thermal comfort. |
| 8. | Testing of the complex solutions in the existing experimental testing ground in Latvian climate. | To test in practice the solutions developed in point 6 and optimized in point 7, a new building will be designed and erected in the existing experimental testing ground, integrating all the essential research results; it will be equipped with the systems of data collection and monitoring. In order to ensure comparability with previously investigated 5 different solutions the position, orientation and geometry of the newly created building will be equal to the existing ones, where studies were carried out over a 4-year period. |
| 8.1 | The creation of a prototype of the nZEB with smart technologies. | By using solution for building construction and building management systems developed in point 6 and optimized in point 7, the prototype of a new smart technology nZEB with the use of renewable energy and a green building envelope will be establish and described.. |
| 8.2 | Monitoring of the developed prototype and reference buildings in Latvian climate | Simultaneously with the newly created prototype of the nZEB the monitoring will also be carried out in already existing buildings, thereby providing opportunities for comprehensive comparison and analysis of results. The total measuring period will be not less than 1 year under real climate conditions in order to analyse the impact of seasonal changes on the energy consumption for heating, cooling and ventilation and changes in the thermal comfort conditions under different modes of operation for building management systems. |
| 9. | The aggregation of results, the development of recommendations, suggestions and conclusions | The outcomes of all researches performed (the critical analysis of the existing solutions, the experimental measurements, the numerical calculations, the monitoring under local climate conditions etc.) will be collected. The recommendations and suggestions will be generated regarding the use of the tested materials, the constructive solutions, the systems for heating, cooling and ventilation with renewable resources, the building management systems and the relevant software in nZEB in the climate with large diurnal temperature variation. The substantial challenges identified during researches will be assessed, as well as those further areas of research related to sustainable and energy efficient construction that can make a maximum contribution to a long-term reduction of carbon emissions will be highlighted. |
| 10. | The preparation of papers for conferences and scientific publications | The preparation of scientific publications and participation with oral and poster presentations in international scientific conferences is an essential activity for the knowledge and technology transfer. The original scientific articles based on the results obtained during the project will be prepared and published in scientific journals and collections of scientific articles included in both Scopus and Web of Science databases, as well as in other appropriate journals. Papers will be prepared for international scientific conferences thereby providing the approval of the research results among professionals. The need to gain new knowledge from the work of other researchers establishes the need for participation in the industry-specific and practical conferences. The participation in conferences will enhance opportunities for publication of the research results also in scientific journals with a high citation index |
| 10.1 | The preparation of scientific publications for journals and conference proceeding included in Web of Science or Scopus databases | The original scientific articles on the results achieved in research work carried out during the project will be prepared and published in scientific journals and conference proceedings included in Scopus and Web of Science databases. As the publication procedure in the journals with a high citation index may take several months, an article which received publication confirmation from the publisher shall be deemed to have been accepted for publication. |
| 10.2 | The preparation of scientific publications for the publishing in journals with a citation index at least 50 % of the discipline average citation index. | The original scientific articles will be prepared and published in journals or conference proceedings with a citation index at least 50 % of the discipline average citation index. |
| 10.3. | The preparation of papers for international scientific conferences | Papers will be prepared for an oral and poster presentation at thematically corresponding international scientific conferences. Part of conference papers will be published in the conference proceedings in paper or digital form. |
Eiropas Reģionālās attīstības fonda līdzfinansēts projekts Nr. 1.1.1.1/16/A/192 "Viedo risinājumu gandrīz nulles enerģijas ēkām izstrāde, optimizācija un ilgtspējas izpēte reāla klimata apstākļos"
Aktualitātes
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maijs, 2018
26. maijā TV6 raidījuma "Laiks mājai" sižetā A. Jakovičs populārā formā iepazīstināja ar projekta pētījumiem.
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maijs, 2018
22. maijā projekta dalībnieki atjaunoja testēšanas stendu konstrukcijas pēc veiktās zondēšanas, veica stikloto virsmu tīrīšanu, lai nodrošinātu vienādu starojuma plūsmu, un sagatavoja stendu iekštelpas turpmākiem eksperimentiem.
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maijs, 2018
15. maijā pēc vairāk nekā 5 gadu ekspluatācijas tika veikta dažādo testēšanas stendos Botāniskajā dārzā izmantoto būvkonstrukciju stāvokļa zondēšana. Atsedzot iespējamā mitruma uzkrāšanās ziņā kritiskos slāņus, tika vērtēts to stāvoklis un paņemti paraugi turpmākai detalizētai mikrobioloģiskai izpētei. Provizoriskais vērtējums rāda, ka izvēlētie būvkonstruktīvie risinājumi ir bijuši veiksmīgi.
Fotorgāfijas ievietotas sadaļā FOTO. -
aprīlis, 2018
2018.g. 19. aprīlī vairāk nekā 100 būvniecības nozares speciālistu no uzņēmumiem, valsts un pašvaldību institūcijām piedalītos zinātniski praktiskajā seminārā "Ceļā uz gandrīz nulles enerģijas ēkām Latvija", kas tika organizēts šī projekta ietvaros. Vairāk informācijas skat. publicitātes sadaļā.
Dalībnieku aptaujas apkopojums. -
marts, 2018
8. martā A. Jakovičs, apmeklējot pētniecisko institūtu FIW Minhenē, iepazinās ar būvmateriālu mitruma absorbcijas noteikšanas metodēm, kas svarīgi to siltuma vadītspējas un ilgtspējas analīzei.
Savukārt 11. martā, apmeklējot četras dažādas pasīvās ēkas, iepazinās ar tur izmantotajiem materiāliem, tehnoloģijām un sistēmām, kas būtiski veidojot priekšlikumus nZEB risinājumiem Latvijā.
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janvāris, 2018
LU Zinātniskās konferences sekcijas sēdē "Matemātiskās metodes pētījumu izcilībai" 1. februārī Jānis Ratnieks prezentēja pētījumu "Mikroorganismu augšanas novērtējums Testa ēku jumta konstrukcij"
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janvāris, 2018
projekta zinātniskajā seminārā Jānis Ratnieks prezentēja vieglo konstrukciju mitruma dinamikas un mikroorganismu augšanas prognozēšanu ilgtermiņā Latvijas klimatā
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novembris, 2017
Starptautiskajā konferencē SGEM Vienna Green 2017 (Vīnē) 2017. g. 27.-29. novembrī referātā "Results of a long-term energy efficiency monitoring of test buildings under real climatic conditions" tika parādīti daži projekta rezultāti.
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septembris, 2017
Projekta darbinieki iepazīstināja starptautiskās konferences "Inovatīvie materiāli, konstrukcijas un tehnoloģijas" ietvaros organizētās studentu konferences dalībniekus ar šī projekta ietvaros veiktajiem un turpmāk plānotajiem pētījumiem, apmeklējot LU Botāniskajā dārzā izveidotos energoefektivitātes testēšanas stendus. Uzstājoties ar prezentāciju šajā konferencē projekta vad. A. Jakovičs iepazīstināja tās dalībniekus un Latvijas industrijas pārstāvjus arī ar realizējamā ERAF projekta mērķiem, uzdevumiem, paveikto un tuvākā perioda darbiem.
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septembris, 2017
Projekta darbinieki iepazinās ar 2016.g. Ādažu Valdorfa skolai uzceltajā sporta zālē izmatotajiem risinājumiem un pirmā gada ekspluatācijas pieredzi. Ēka ir projektēta kā gandrīz nulles enerģijas ēka.
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jūlijs, 2017
Projekta pētnieki iepazinās ar biznesa atbalsta centra gNEĒ "SALA" Alojā sistēmām un vienojās par sadarbības līguma noslēgšanu ēkas ilgtermiņa monitoringam.
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jūlijs, 2017
Notika projekta zinātniskais seminārs "Inovatīvi risinājumi gandrīz nulles enerģijas ēkām"
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maijs, 2017
A. Jakovičs Ventspilī iepazinās ar mikrokapilāro siltummaiņu ražošanas tehnoloģiju uzņēmumā Wasserkabel Baltic, kā arī ar inovatīvu un vieglu šūnveida koka būvmateriālu Dendrolight ražošanas tehnoloģiju. Šie izstrādājumi potenciāli efektīvi izmantojami arī gandrīz nulles enerģijas ēkās.
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aprīlis, 2017
Projekta zinātniskajā seminārā Alise Jēkabsone un Daila Sloka prezentēja iespējamo risinājumu priekšlikumus gandrīz nulles enerģijas biroju ēkai
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aprīlis, 2017
Projekta zinātniskajā seminārā Madara Bēma prezentēja pirmās ieceres gandrīz nulles enerģijas biroju ēkai
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aprīlis, 2017
Projekta pārstāvji iepazinās ar atbilstoši gandrīz nulles enerģijas ēku prasībām 2016.g. uzbūvēto Alojas uzņēmējdarbības atbalsta centra ēku SALA un ar novada Domes pārstāvjiem apsprieda sadarbības iespējas šīs ēkas energoefektivitātes padziļinātā izpētē un pieredzes izplatīšanā.
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aprīlis, 2017
Projekts ir uzsākts. 6. aprīlī notika pirmā personāla sapulce.
