Assessment of Design Strategies for Achieving Net Zero

Energy Educational Buildings Using BIM Analysis: A Case

Study at Karabuk University, Turkey

Abdulla ALAKOUR a, Engin GEDIK b
a
Energy Systems Engineering Department, Institute of Graduate Programs, Karabuk University, 78050, Karabuk, Turkey

b
Energy Systems Engineering Department, Technology Faculty, Karabuk University, 78050, Karabuk, Turkey

Abstract

The solar thermoelectric generators (STEGs) have emerged during the last decade as a promising alternative among

other technologies for green power production. A solar thermoelectric generator (STEG) is a device that can directly

convert solar energy into electrical energy without any intermediate energy forms such as work in the conventional

power generation cycles. Recent developments in solar thermoelectric generator have achieved several

improvements as a result of its optimized systems such as concentrated systems and also the boosts from

nanotechnology. A concentrator thermoelectric generator (CTEG) using MWCNTs (multiwall carbon nanotubes),

and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) dispersed in water as working fluid was investigated experimentally. The CTEG

system has been designed, constructed and outdoor tested in Karabuk University, Turkey. Experiments were

performed for 0.25 wt% nanoparticle mass concentration of MWCNTs-Water and GNPs-Water nanofluids with a

volume flow rate of 0.5 L/min. Experiments study aimed to study effect of nanoparticle types on thermal and

electrical energetic efficiency. Our experimental analysis showed that the CTEG is capable of producing a

maximum electrical power output of 3.7 W for an average temperature difference of 38°C. MWCNTs-water

nanofluid presented a better performance in terms of electrical energetic efficiency compared to GNPs-water

nanofluid and distilled water, while GNPs-water nanofluid revealed the highest thermal energetic efficiency. The

total efficiency for the day-long periods were 16.34%, 24.03% and 20.21% for distilled water, GNPs-water,

MWCNTs-water respectively. The results of the investigation help to estimate the potential of the CTEG system
using different types of nanofluids as coolants and show concentrated thermoelectric generation to be one of the

potential options for production of electric power from renewable energy sources.

Keywords

BIM (building information modelling), Net Zero Energy Building, Passive Cooling System, HVAC system,

Renewable Energy Sources

1. INTRODUCTION

Net zero energy buildings offer a compelling vision for the future, a vision that can be seen as a new direction in

architecture. The pursuit of this vision can be technically rigorous; moreover, it requires tremendous creativity and

innovation in design. As such, it offers an opportunity for new expressions of form to elegantly resolve energy

solutions with program, site, and climate. Net energy design is an architecture that rediscovers the passive strategies

of our architectural history and then integrates them into current ideas about contemporary design. It also embraces

the best of state-of-the-art technology and renewable energy systems to provide solutions that set new standards for

building and occupant performance. Net zero energy architecture is also about process, one that requires genuine

and intense integration, and takes a long view of the idea of building delivery. The integrated process can lead to the

creation of truly holistic buildings, for net zero energy buildings should be more than just exemplary energy

performers; they should embrace sustainability, performance, and beauty as well.

Thus, this paper presents a detailed experimental investigation for the CTEG with different types of nanofluids. In

this work, an experimental setup is developed in order to analyze the performance of a CTEG module using distilled

water, MWCNTs-water and GNPs-water nanofluids as coolant fluids. The experimental setup was installed in the

yard of the Department of Energy Systems Engineering building of Karabuk university (Latitude: 41.21° N;

Longitude: 32.65° E) in Türkiye. The experimental study was performed with 0.25 wt% mass concentration of

nanoparticles and distilled water, at fluid flow rate of 0.5 L/min. The experimental results of the system with

nanofluid coolants were analyze in terms of thermal and electrical energetic efficiency.
2. PRESENTING THE BUILDING CASE STUDY

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3. Results and Discussion

3.1. Energy Consumption Simulation

3.2. Renewable Energy Production Simulation

3.3. Electric Energy Balance

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5. REFERENCES

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