My cookie preferencesEmpowering Occupants: Significance of Behavioral Choices in Reducing Space Cooling Demand in Europe
Gelesz A, Fakhari M, Elkarymy O, Belleri A, Reith A, Pezzutto S
As space cooling (SC) demand in Europe continues to rise, with significant growth anticipated by 2030 and 2050, effective strategies are needed to manage and reduce cooling requirements. Occupant behaviour, as identified by the IEA, is a key factor in building energy performance, shaping energy use and helping occupants adapt to internal thermal changes, especially in summer.
This study quantifies the impact of different occupant behavioural profiles on SC demand across diverse European locations and building typologies. Using advanced simulation tools: Ladybug Tools and EnergyPlus as the engine, energy savings under different scenarios are assessed, considering different building archetypes, constructions, and under present and future weather scenario. Various behavioural actions are concerned, covering occupant presence, window opening, shading control, adaptive or controlled thermal environment, lighting and equipment use. Behaviours are categorized following three attitudes: i) baseline, unconscious behaviour, reliant on active cooling; ii) mitigative, where passive, adaptive behaviours are adopted in response to discomfort; and iii) adaptive, where behaviours prevent discomfort proactively.
Results show that adaptive behaviour reduces SC demand by up to 97%-100%, compared to the unconscious, worst-case behavioural profile adapted in policies and building codes. This highlights the potential to substantially reduce or even eliminate the need for active SC by adaptive behaviours, while maintaining indoor comfort. This should be facilitated through building and neighbourhood designs that provide components and elements that ease such behavioural flexibility.
DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/1546/1/012071
