Building Retrofit Benefit Project
Project Description
The goal of the building retrofit benefit project is to develop a comprehensive methodology for evaluating the potential of retrofitting existing buildings in Hong Kong to enhance energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve indoor air quality, and contribute to achieving sustainability objectives. This initiative addresses the critical role of buildings in energy consumption and emissions, particularly in a dense urban environment like Hong Kong, where buildings account for a significant portion of energy use and environmental impact.
The project focuses on identifying and quantifying energy-saving opportunities across Hong Kong's diverse building stock, factoring in local climate conditions, building types, and usage patterns. Retrofitting involves upgrading older buildings with modern technologies and systems that improve energy performance, reduce operational costs, and create healthier indoor environments. These improvements are vital for meeting Hong Kong's sustainability goals and addressing climate change challenges.
The results from this analysis will be extrapolated to project the benefits of retrofitting buildings across Hong Kong. By simulating energy utilization for all buildings in the city, we aim to determine their retrofit potential and estimate the overall impact of large-scale retrofitting initiatives. This work will provide valuable insights for policymakers, building owners, and stakeholders, guiding efforts to prioritize retrofitting projects, optimize resource allocation, and accelerate Hong Kong's transition toward a more energy-efficient and sustainable built environment.
The project focuses on identifying and quantifying energy-saving opportunities across Hong Kong's diverse building stock, factoring in local climate conditions, building types, and usage patterns. Retrofitting involves upgrading older buildings with modern technologies and systems that improve energy performance, reduce operational costs, and create healthier indoor environments. These improvements are vital for meeting Hong Kong's sustainability goals and addressing climate change challenges.
The results from this analysis will be extrapolated to project the benefits of retrofitting buildings across Hong Kong. By simulating energy utilization for all buildings in the city, we aim to determine their retrofit potential and estimate the overall impact of large-scale retrofitting initiatives. This work will provide valuable insights for policymakers, building owners, and stakeholders, guiding efforts to prioritize retrofitting projects, optimize resource allocation, and accelerate Hong Kong's transition toward a more energy-efficient and sustainable built environment.
Supervisor
FUNG, Jimmy Chi Hung
Co-Supervisor
LAU, Alexis Kai Hon
Quota
3
Course type
UROP1000
UROP1100
UROP2100
UROP3100
Applicant's Roles
To support the assessment, we have collected data from specific buildings, including one commercial building and several buildings at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). This dataset includes information on energy usage, energy savings achieved through retrofits, and improvements in indoor air quality before and after the retrofitting process. Analyzing this data allows us to understand the impact of retrofit measures and to refine our methodology.
Using the Building Plus model, we are developing an energy utilization estimation framework.
This framework predicts energy consumption based on various parameters, including building characteristics, historical energy data, and retrofit measures. By comparing these predictions with actual energy data, we can validate the model's accuracy and reliability. This approach enables us to assess the effectiveness of retrofitting strategies and identify the most impactful measures for different building types and usage scenarios.
Using the Building Plus model, we are developing an energy utilization estimation framework.
This framework predicts energy consumption based on various parameters, including building characteristics, historical energy data, and retrofit measures. By comparing these predictions with actual energy data, we can validate the model's accuracy and reliability. This approach enables us to assess the effectiveness of retrofitting strategies and identify the most impactful measures for different building types and usage scenarios.
Applicant's Learning Objectives
Through this project, the student will learn how to develop and apply a comprehensive methodology for evaluating building retrofits to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability. They will gain experience in data collection, analysis, and AI modeling using the Building Plus framework to estimate energy consumption and validate retrofit impacts. The student will also learn to assess and quantify energy-saving opportunities, improve indoor air quality, and analyze the environmental benefits of retrofitting. Additionally, they will develop skills in applying AI techniques, interpreting real-world data, creating actionable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, and addressing climate and energy challenges in a dense urban environment like Hong Kong.
Complexity of the project
Moderate