Modelling of enhanced passive and conventional cooling systems

This study modelled a recently completed typical steel-framed speculative office development in the UK. It investigated the comparative performance of the building for various servicing regimes. These included natural and mechanical ventilation, two types of active fabric energy storage (FES) system (AirDeck and AirCore), air-conditioning (a conventional all-air system and chilled ceiling with mechanical ventilation), and mixed-mode solutions combining some of the above approaches. The assessment covered both summer and winter (heating) performance. The main objective was to evaluate overall performance of these systems in terms of thermal comfort and energy use and to compare the findings with more conventional servicing options for the same building. The study demonstrates that active FES can enhance thermal comfort while reducing energy use and emissions. In comparison with conventionally and naturally ventilated systems, the studied FES systems reduced temperature excess hours and peak temperatures, supplied cooler air as a result of overnight cooling, and reduced chiller consumption and boiler ratings as well as emissions. The annual operating costs of these active FES systems increase energy costs by only 13% over that of the naturally ventilated option. The mixed-mode solutions reduce them by over 35% when compared with all-mechanically cooled alternatives.