Proceedings of IOE Graduate Conference, 2017

Volume: 5 ISSN: 2350-8914 (Online), 2350-8906 (Print)

Design Strategies to Energy Efficient Building in Kathmandu

Valley -A Case Study of CES-Zero Energy Building at Institute of
Engineering.
Sundar Lakhe a , Bharat Raj Pahari b , Shree Raj Shakya c
a, c
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
bDepartment of Civil Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal
Corresponding Emails: a [email protected], b [email protected], c [email protected],

Abstract
Demand for energy is skyrocketing around the globe, environmental challenges are becoming more severe than
ever before.Carbon dioxide, methane gas and other greenhouse gases are rapidly contributing to global warming
and ozone depletion phenomenon.Buildings are among major contributors of green house gases and consuming
more than 40% of total primary energy.It is responsibility of building design professionals to address the impacts
of their practice on the environment by reducing the energy consumption and carbon emission of their projects.For
the purpose to promote practical design strategies to help Architects and Engineers to design energy-neutral and
environment friendly buildings,The primary emphasis of study is to analyze and explore core principles of building
physics into the design process and programs of study project: Center for Energy Studies Zero Energy Building
(CES-ZEB) located at Institute of Engineering,Pulchowk Campus,Lalitpur.It focuses to implement the core energy
saving design strategies as energy efficient measures into design and evaluate its performance with a normative
simulation tool as per performance rating method established by standard to approve it for energy efficient building
in Kathmandu valley.
Keywords
Center for Energy Study, Zero Energy Building (CES-ZEB) – Simulation tool – Energy Efficient Building

1. Introduction whole building energy model with normative open

studio simulation tool through performance analysis of
Buildings are among major contributors of green house implemented design strategies of study project located
gases and consuming more than 40% of total primary at center of Kathmandu valley for energy efficient
energy[1].Concerns to global warming and climate building solution.
change;scientists and environmental activists are rising
in a very high rate in the past several years[2]. These
global issues are becoming important agendas for 1.1 Problem Statement
politicians especially in developed countries to raise Buildings sector in Nepal are among the major consumer
awareness of the consequences of global warming to the of commercial energy and contributor of greenhouse
public and set new regulations and standards to control gases also facing challenges of rapid urbanization mostly
global warming.The energy efficient net-zero energy centralized in Kathmandu valley [3]and leads to increase
initiative could offer a comprehensive solution to the energy demand in the urban centers of the country.The
current environmental challenges in building sector electricity sales data shows electricity as main source
addressing key energy issues.For the purpose,This study of energy for the building, around 28% of electricity
analyzed and explored core principles of building produced is consumed in the valley alone with the peak
physics into the design process and evaluate various load 1,026 MW while the supply was only 40%,leads to a
possible scenarios of design strategies in design process situation of power outage in managing the distribution i.e.
and present the way to decision making with the help of almost 12 hours a day in the dry season and 6 hours a day

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Design Strategies to Energy Efficient Building in Kathmandu Valley -A Case Study of CES-Zero Energy
Building at Institute of Engineering.

in the wet season[4], Led to a tremendous anomaly in done through research reports, journals.After collecting
the captive electricity generation by imported petroleum the quantitative data from meteorological department
products. So, The energy efficiency is most in each and and energy plus weather file-2017,The climatic
every sector in our country.Developing the appropriate parameter for design strategy have been analyzed
design strategies for energy efficient building technology through climate consultant software version 6.0. See
i.e.Zero Energy Building in building sector can have a figure-1 for passive design strategy for the climatic
very significant impact on improving the environment context in study project site.The prototype energy
addressing key energy issues[5].For the purpose,The model of study project have been developed in sketch
collective efforts of individuals could lead to the most up and open studio for simulation with reference to
powerful initiation. prototype office building[6] and also considered
existing data to reflect existing building characteristics
1.2 Purpose and Objectives in the context.The overall modeling methods outlined as
per standard[7]provides the majority of baseline
The need of the whole building energy simulation modeling information and some assumptions used for
extends beyond to assist designers and engineers for simulation analysis originated from the advanced energy
testing and continuation of energy efficiency measures design guide for office buildings [6].Then the whole
and promote the evolution of building metrics.The building prototype energy model have been simulated to
whole building energy simulation is needed to generate, analyze and evaluate the implemented design strategies
simulate and analyze building models in climatic for its performance on annual building utility.
context.It offers speed, simplicity ,graphic user
interface, integration multiple simulation engines,
2.1 Building Operating Characteristics
command line interface functionality, rule based code
compliance checking data display,reporting and The majority of office floor space operated between 40
integrated graphical results with sensitive guidance in to 60 hours a week. Typical occupancy, HVAC, lighting
climatic context to analyze various stages of the design and miscellaneous equipment were considered as per
and operational process of building. For the standard[8].The building was assumed to follow typical
purpose,The objectives of this study were: office occupancy patterns with peak occupancy
occurring during normal working hours from 10 AM to
• To evaluate and explore design strategies of CES- 8 PM Sunday through Friday. See figure-2 for
Zero energy building as overall building system occupancy Summary. Limited occupancy was assumed
energy efficiency measures for energy efficient to begin at 10 am.After then working hours assumed
building solution in Kathmandu valley. through midnight for janitorial functions only. All
working day occupancy was assumed to be 50% of peak
• To develop whole building energy model occupancy while holiday and weekend occupancy were
reflecting study project for simulation to analyze assumed to be approximately 5% of peak occupancy.
annual operational performance of its
implemented design strategies on building utility
in climatic context.

• To analyze the performance of solar PV on annual

building utility.

• To analyze the performance of EAT- System to

maintain indoor comfort in controlled zone.

2. Energy Modeling Methodology

This study is integrated type with both quantitative and

qualitative research.The literature studies have been

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Figure 1: Passive Design Strategies on Project Site

See table-1 for the building envelope characteristic and

figure-3 for axonometric view of the building modeled
in Sketch up.

Table 1: Summary of Calculated U-Value as per

ASHRAE Standard[9] of Existing Building Element
Building Element U- Value [W/ m2 o C]
Figure 2: Building Occupancy Schedule Exterior wall 0.6
Interior wall 2.45
Basement Floor Slab 0.31
2.2 Building Envelope Characteristic Upper Floor Slab 2.91
The majority of opaque constructions consisted of brick Roof 3.61
walls, built-up roof with roof tile for insulation above Wooden Door 3.16
deck and concrete slab-on-grade floors with building Glass Panel Aluminum Window 6
height 3.5m floor to floor.
2.3 Fenestration
The vertical glazing was modeled as fixed and flush
with the exterior wall as in existing case. No shading
projections and no shading devices such as blinds or
shades were modeled in energy model,The shape,size
and distribution of windows were referenced to the
architectural drawing of study project building to reflect
the existing case.The U-value were considered as per
Figure 3: Energy model of Study Project-CES-Zero standard [10].
Energy Building

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Building at Institute of Engineering.

2.4 Air Infiltration 2.7 Miscellaneous Equipment/Plug Load

The infiltration rate was considered as per standard Plugs loads increase electrical usage, to determine plug
[11].The infiltration rate was based on testing buildings load intensity; a break-down plug load calculation was
at greatly increased pressure difference than in normal developed as per standard for various office equipment
operating conditions.The infiltration schedule was and appliances[10]. The amount and type of equipment
assumed as such no infiltration occurred when the was assumed based on existing architectural drawings.
HVAC system was on and occurred only when the See table-2 for summary of the people definition,
HVAC system was off. lighting power intensity plug load intensity considered
for energy model of study project by zone and standard
space as per standard[13]
2.5 Internal and External Loads
Modeling the energy impacts of the building internal
loads using the open studio simulation program required
assumptions about the building internal load intensity 2.8 Building HVAC-EAT System Operating
and operation schedule.The Plug loads included Schedule
equipment such as computers, printers, copy machines,
There is no any other means of HVAC system other than
refrigerators, tea makers, etc and the internal loads
EAT System .The EAT system operating schedule was
included heat generated from occupants, lights and
based on building occupancy. The system was
miscellaneous equipment.These loads have been
scheduled “on” one hour prior to occupancy to
considered as per standard[12].
pre-condition the space. Then the system was scheduled
“off” at 8 pm. When the system was “on”, the air blower
fan ran continuously to supply the required ventilated
2.6 Interior Lighting air as per standard [14] to controlled zone.For the
The model lighting levels were determined by the purpose,single EAT-system was used for conditioning
space-by-space method and the corresponding lighting the controlled zone in the building and Natural
power intensities have been calculated and considered ventilation has been considered as main source for
as per standard manual[10]to reflecting existing case. ventilation of normal zone.
For calculation each space was assigned a light power
intensity based on its use and the overall zone lighting
power intensity was calculated by adding the power
intensities of the spaces in the corresponding zone and
2.9 HVAC-Zone Heating and Cooling
dividing by the zone area.See figure-4 for interior
Thermostat Set Point
lighting considered for energy model.
The study model of building was divided into two
thermal zones i.e.Controlled Zone and Normal Zone.
The systems with EAT maintained a 20 o C heating set
point and 24 o C cooling set point during occupied
hours.The setback thermostat control called for heating
or cooling to maintain the setback temperature as per
standard[14].See table-3 for zone summary.

Figure 4: Interior Lighting Schedule

3. Results and Discussion

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Table 2: People,Plug Load and Light Intensity by Space Type

Zone/Standard Space Type Area People Definition Electrical Plug Lights Intensity
and process load Intensity
(m2 ) (People/m2 ) (W/m2 ) (W/m2 )
Conference/Class Room/Multipurpose Hall 273.04 0.5 4.5 7.8
Corridor/Waiting/Lobby 228.9 0.009 1.35 2.7
Elec./Mechanical 167.78 - 2.7 5.13
Office Room/Research Cubical/ 410.25 0.05 5.8 6.75
Rest Room 64.75 0.1 0.60 1.60
Stair 315.4 - - 0.90
Store 170 - - 3.15

Table 3: Thermal Zone Summary

Thermal Zone Area(m2 ) Wall Area(m2 ) Window Glass Area(m2 )
EAT Conditioned Space 117.72 125.25 22.44
Normal Space 1511.72 1578.66 257.42
Total 1629 1703.91 279.86

3.1 Energy Consumption Table 4: Annual End Use Energy Break Down
Component Electricity(kWh)
Heating 0
Cooling 0
Interior lighting 5823.74
Interior Equipment 3532.39
EAT-System Blower Fan 1390.55
Total 10746.69

Figure 5: Monthly Energy End use Break Down

Figure 7: Annual Energy End Use Percentage Break

Down

The simulation result shows that the model reflecting

existing study project building consumes electricity
within the range of about 446.66 kWh to 498.11 kWh
monthly for interior lighting, 270.88 kWh to 303.68
Figure 6: Monthly Peak Energy Demand kWh monthly for interior equipment and 106.67 kWh to

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Building at Institute of Engineering.

118.1 kWh monthly to operate EAT –System air blower and generates average effective usable solar electricity of
fan and finally results to consume total electricity within 29.5 kWh in a day to fulfill the existing building’s 29.4
range of about 824.22 kWh to 919.90 kWh monthly kWh of average daily energy demand and 10746.69 kWh
throughout the year.It demands peak electricity load of annual end use energy demand see figure 4.6 for monthly
about 1.82 kW average monthly for interior lighting, effective energy output and energy demand comparison.
0.66 kW average monthly for interior equipment and It Shows that 6.5kWp PV system on average 5.11 hours
0.16 kW average monthly to operate EAT system air of peak sun with 90% of overall system efficiency could
blower fan finally results to demand total peak generate excess electricity of about 24 kWh annually
electricity of about 2.64 kW average monthly and hence satisfy 100% building’s annual end use energy
throughout the year.So that it results to consume demand and balance all annual utility costs for electricity,
electricity of about 5823.74 kWh annually for Interior and proven to reduce the footprint of the end use energy
lighting i.e. about 54 % of total annual consumption, so the whole building system is 100% efficient zero
3532.39 kWh annually for interior equipment i.e. about energy building in terms of end use energy .i.e. Net On
33 % of total annual consumption and 1390.55 kWh site Energy Production=Net Energy Consumption.See
annually to operate EAT-System air blower fan i.e. figure-8 and figure-9 for monthly and annual energy
about 13 % of total annual consumption but no generation by installed solar panel and See figure-10 for
electricity end use for heating and cooling .It utilizes energy generation and energy demand comparison.
ground sourced thermal energy i.e. Geo-thermal energy
to fulfill the heating and cooling demand of building so
there is no heating and cooling electrical load in its
annual end use energy.See figure-5 and figure -6 for
monthly end energy use break down consumption and
monthly peak energy end use breaks down and see
figure-7 and table-4 for annual end energy use break
down consumption of study project.

Figure 8: Monthly Energy Output,wirelosses,Inverter

3.2 Performance of On site Energy Generation lossess and Inverter out put of BIPV
In order to meet the on-site energy needs, Solar PV
system of 6.5 kWp is the main source of energy in the
existing building. 100 number of Solar PV modules
each of 65 watt are kept as a roof on the main entrance
of the building. The slope of the panel is 30o to the
North covers about 56m2 . The electricity generated
is stored in battery banks kept at the basement of the
building. 120 batteries of heavy duty nature, each of 2
Volt capacities 468 AH, are connected in series which
produce 240 Volts. Such two battery banks are connected
in parallel and each produces 240 Volt DC. An automatic Figure 9: Annual Energy Generation,Total Losses and
software controlled inverter continuously monitors the Inverter Output Annually
whole process of the electricity generation from solar
panel, storing in batteries and the connection to the grid
as well. The on site energy generation data shows that
3.3 Performance of Earth Air Tunneling
the installed solar PV- system generates electricity within
System
the range of about 703.27 kWh to 1152.25 kWh monthly
throughout the year and generates effective and usable The concept of the earth air tunneling for air
solar electricity of about 10770 kWh annually with the conditioning i.e. heating and cooling spaces in winter as
average sunshine hours of 5.11 hour as peak sun in a day well as in summer has been materialized in the study

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building to maintain comfort indoor in both winter and

summer seasons.See figure-11 and figure-12 for the
performance of EAT-System installed in study Project.

Figure 10: Monthly Energy Generation and Demand

Comparison

project building. The one conference room to the east

and one class room to the north of the building are Figure 12: Performance of EAT-System Supplied
conditioned with EAT-System. It intakes ambient air Monthly Air Temperature
from a 75 long tunnel made of 0.5m dia. Hume pipe 4m
deep down from the earth surface. Inside the tunnel,
The air exchanges heat with the surrounding earth 4. Conclusion
around it. The monthly average temperatures of air
supplied by EAT- System at average solar temperature This study has been focused on study of Prototype
of 20.50 o C.See figure-11 for The EAT-System supplied CES-ZEB located in center of Kathmandu valley for its
air temperature. The data shows that at 4 m depth from implemented design strategies in prospect of energy
the soil surface, the system is effective to maintain the efficiency.A building energy model was simulated in
average temperature of pass through air of system about operational context as per the performance rating
20.5 o C on an average monthly throughout the year by method established by standard[12].From the study,It
utilizing ground sourced thermal energy by effective shows that 6.5 kWp PV system on average 5.11 hours of
heat exchange. It could cool down the room in summer peak sun with 90% of overall system efficiency
and it heats up the room in winter when the generates effective usable solar electricity of about
underground air blower supplied and distributed air to 10770 kWh annually. Hence, Satisfy 100% building’s
conditioned room through duct and exhausted stale air annual end use energy needs .i.e. 10746.69 kWh ,
through the solar chimney. balances all annual utility costs for electricity and
reduce the footprint of the end use energy demand and
independent to commercial source of energy, the whole
building system is 100% efficient ideal zero energy
building in terms of end use energy without any GHGs
emission .i.e. Net On-site Energy Production=Net
Energy Consumption and its installed efficient EAT
system for conditioning of controlled zone is capable to
maintain comfort indoor air temperature of about 20.50
o C average monthly utilizing the Geo-thermal energy

throughout the year for both winter and summer seasons

Figure 11: Average Monthly Air Temperature Supplied without adding extra heating and cooling electrical load
by EAT-System on annual building utility.Further its energy efficiency
can be enhanced by 12.25% with efficient EAT-System,
implementing additional design strategies to existing
This shows that, it is potential to save thermal electrical building with use of double glaze window and double
load for heating and cooling of controlled zone of door, reduction in electrical load by using energy star

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Building at Institute of Engineering.

rated efficient electrical appliance with smart control energy modeling at initial stages for construction of
system. It shows that the future of implemented design energy efficient buildings and its necessity for
strategies of study project as energy efficiency measures sustainable construction from planning phase to project
for efficient building system is bright and applicable to finalization and decision making phase.For the
future building without any technical difficulties in purpose,They should be encouraged to design and
composite climate of Kathmandu valley.It helps to control built environment considering design strategies
enable the environment and resources to be sustained and energy efficiency measures considering building
for future generations ,control rising energy costs, orientation, internal room layout, window placement,
reduce environmental footprints, increase the value and sizing and shading, use of insulation, ventilation,use of
competitiveness of buildings addressing key energy heat absorbing building materials, landscaping, use of
issues in context. energy efficient appliances and smart control system,
recycling of material and renewable energy resources
etc. as in study project.From the study following
5. Recommendations recommendation can be made at least for energy
efficient building in Kathmandu valley.
5.1 Recommendations for Improvement in
performance of Existing CES –ZEB
• The orientation of the building should be along
The following recommendation could be made for east and west direction as such if there is no other
improvement in better performance of existing site constriction on orientation to take advantages
CES-ZEB. of active and passive system for sustainable energy
solution.
• The external door and window are made of
material with high U -value these are the reason • For the general construction of wall, cavity wall
behind un-favorable heat loss and heat gain so it with lower U-value behaves as good thermal mass
is recommended to use double glazed window or and provides good insulation against heat loss.
window with glaze up to 12mm thick at least and
double door for good thermal performance as • Double glazed window has low U-value and
well as sound insulation resulting to save 10% of recommended to use instead of single glazed
total building end use energy. window because thermal performance of these
window are better than single glazed window.
• For air conditioning and ventilation, the Beside thermal insulation,It also provides sound
EAT-System can extend to maintain comfort insulation.
indoors to other room that are often occupy.
• The household should have at least one renewable
• For better performance of Solar PV-system,The energy technology such as solar water heater or
solar panel should be cleaned and maintained solar PV installed at their buildings with building
regularly for better exposure to the solar radiation integrated photo voltaic system(BIPVS) and
and also the whole system should be maintained building energy management system(BEMS)for
to the good and workable state. effective use of green energy.

5.2 Recommendations for Designers and • The EAT-System should be promoted for efficient
Engineers way of heating ventilation and Air conditioning
(HVAC)system to condition space to maintain
Based on study and analysis, the designers and comfort indoor.
Engineers are the influential body for the energy
efficient building construction. They are the one who • Less energy efficient appliances should be
can influence the clients and change the ongoing pattern replaced by more energy efficient one with smart
of construction of buildings. The Designers and control system in household so as to reduce its
Engineers should be made aware of the benefits of annual operating costs by 10%.

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5.3 Recommendations for Future Research References

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