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Imparting the Values of Energy Simulation Toward Net Zero Plus Status

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Conference

2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Location

Virtual On line

Publication Date

June 22, 2020

Start Date

June 22, 2020

End Date

June 26, 2021

Conference Session

Architectural Engineering Division Technical Session 3

Tagged Divisions

Architectural Engineering and Construction Engineering

Page Count

15

DOI

10.18260/1-2--34765

Permanent URL

https://strategy.asee.org/34765

Download Count

448

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Paper Authors

biography

Mohamed ElZomor Florida International University

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Dr. Mohamed ElZomor is an Assistant Professor at Florida International University (FIU), College of Engineering and Computing and teaches at the Moss School of Construction, Infrastructure and Sustainability. Dr. ElZomor completed his doctorate at Arizona State University (ASU), Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Prior to attending ASU, Dr. ElZomor received a master’s of science degree in Architecture from University of Arizona, a master’s degree in Engineering and a bachelor of science in Construction Engineering from American University in Cairo. Dr. ElZomor moved to FIU from State University of New York, where he was an Assistant Professor at the college of Environmental Science and Forestry. Mohamed’s work focuses on Sustainability of the Built Environment, Engineering Education, Construction Engineering, Energy Efficiency Measures and Modeling, Project Management, and Infrastructure Resilience. Dr. ElZomor has extensive professional project management experience as well as a diverse cross-disciplinary academic knowledge. Mohamed, distinct expertise supports fostering interdisciplinary research in addition to embracing innovative pedagogical approaches in STEM education. Dr. ElZomor has been integrating innovative and novel educational paradigms in STEM education to support student engagement, retention, and diversity.

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Omar Youssef University of Arizona

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Dr. Omar Youssef is a Lecturer at University of Arizona (UofA), College of Architecture, Planning, and Landscape Architecture, and the School of Sustainable Built Environments. A Building Scientist in the Institute on Place and Wellbeing Performance. An Architecture Designer in Practice focusing on Environmental Application within the Industry. Dr. Youssef has extensive industry experience of constructed large-scale projects. Omar's interdisciplinary background combines between Architecture Practice, Environmental Sciences, Health and Wellbeing. His teaching responsibilities are focused on Environmental Technology as well as Design and Energy Conservation, the core of the School's STEM programs. Dr. Youssef has introduced cutting edge technology and virtual reality to his classes (both in person and online) and currently plays an active role on the School's Technology Stream Committee, Digital Technology Committee, and the University Level Digital Technology Advisers.

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Sara Ghaemi University of Arizona

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Sara Ghaemi is a Second-year student in Master of Science, Design and Energy Conservation. As a research assistant, she has been involved in energy analysis for Microsoft's current and future Data Centers leading to new designs for the futuristic buildings. Also, she has worked as a professional architect, on designing, Modeling, and energy analyzing a self-sufficient housing for unprivileged individuals living in Tehran's suburbs. Sara Ghaemi has a background in architectural engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology.
Her current research is situated at the intersection of architecture, buildings' effect on the climate, and integrating biological systems into buildings to reduce their carbon dioxide footprint.

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biography

Tasbeeh Alaqtum University of Arizona

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Tasbeeh Alaqtum is a graduate student at the UofA currently finishing her degree in the Master of Science in Architecture with a specialization in Design and Energy Conservation. Her education and experience focus on designing purposeful, high-performance spaces and approaching sustainability with a strong commitment to creating positive and enduring environmental, economic and social impact. Her research interests are in the fields of passive and sustainable design, Net-Zero Energy and Net-Zero Water projects, daylighting, health and wellbeing. Recently, she worked on research on how to mitigate daylight glare and achieve visual comfort in learning environments by using the latest technologies available. She is on her path to become a licensed architect with a high passion for research.

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Abstract

The vulnerability of our resources and the anthropogenic forces on the built environment has urged scientists, architects and engineers to rigorously consider energy consumption. The building sector is the top energy consumer, and with the increasing demand in all sectors, conventional energy sources may not be reliable to single-handedly support buildings. Moreover, buildings have an impact on climate change, as well as health and wellbeing. Therefore, the urgency to support buildings’ reliance on the current conventional energy system and its sources is critical. This paper disseminates the Net-Zero framework executed by the authors in The Energy Simulation Academy “Energy Modeling Olympiad”, in conjunction with IBPSA-USA, and was awarded first place in the following category “the model that best communicates the value of the energy simulation to the building owner”. Proposing guidelines to achieve a Net-Zero status for energy demanding office buildings, in Manhattan, New York. The energy analysis first started with compliance to the ASHRAE 90.1 (2018) Standard, after which a series of specific energy efficiency measures proposed to optimize the performance. Alleviating the reliance on our infrastructure systems, this research conducted several steps: (1) illustrate the reduction in energy consumption and utility costs, reducing the Energy Use Intensity (EUI) by 51% from 89.5 Kbtu/ft2/year to 45.12 Kbtu/ft2/year; (2) achieve adequate daylighting and reduce electric lighting demand for 50% of the floor area, thus improving the occupants' experience and productivity; (3) demonstrate the application of active energy systems that lead beyond a Net-Zero status towards Net-Zero Plus by installing a PV System of 171 Kw using 540 Poly Crystalline Cells Panels arranged in 54 arrays with 10 cells in each array with a total system cost of $92,448 for two years payback period; (4) provide a higher level of self-sufficiency by organizing the water sources available on site, leading to the implementation of two permanent tanks:15,000 gallons Septic with a cost estimate of $23,500and Rainwater harvesting; and (5) calculating the active system optimal capacity by using a 33,500 gallons cistern that covers 40% of the water demand, proposing a greywater system to cover 70% of toilet-flushing demands and controlling building's water and sewage costs.

ElZomor, M., & Youssef, O., & Ghaemi, S., & Alaqtum, T. (2020, June), Imparting the Values of Energy Simulation Toward Net Zero Plus Status Paper presented at 2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access, Virtual On line . 10.18260/1-2--34765

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