Simulation of energy use in UK supermarkets using EnergyPlus

This paper investigates the interaction between supermarket heating, ventilation and air conditioning and refrigeration systems through simulation in EnergyPlus. This interaction has been studied by modelling a generic UK supermarket. The impact on the sum of HVAC and refrigeration energy consumption due to changes in a range of operating conditions was studied. These include the effect of altering HVAC temperature set-points, supply air temperatures and refrigeration case operating temperatures on their overall energy use. Optimum values of the supply air temperature, to minimise CO2 emissions, delivered by the HVAC system were found to vary with UK location, with typical values around 14oC to 16oC

Modelling a whole building stock: domestic, non-domestic and mixed use

<p>Work on energy use in buildings – in university research, professional practice and government – has tended to draw a broad distinction between ‘the domestic stock’ and ‘the non-domestic stock’. A further tendency has been to focus attention on types of non-domestic buildings devoted to single uses (<i>e.g.</i> offices, shops or hospitals). This paper reports an empirical research programme in which the complete building stock in large areas of England and Wales is comprehensively represented in great detail, using a new method and model called 3DStock. The model breaks down activities by floor level and within each floor of every building. The results show that the extent of mixing of uses is much greater than has previously been acknowledged, especially towards the centres and in the older parts of towns and cities. These mixed-activity buildings are sometimes relatively simple combinations of domestic and non-domestic, <i>e.g.</i> urban retail with flats above, while others are complex mixtures of different non-domestic activities. The model can be used to investigate how these complex relationships influence energy use. It is argued that, at the larger scale, explicit account needs to be taken of the mixing of uses in future stock models for research and policy-making.</p