A study on the energy efficency of libraries of the west and tejo valley region in portugal

摘要

Library buildings offer special conditions to favor the adoption of low energy strategies. In addition, their potential high degree of interaction with the youth and a specific educational role makes of libraries one of the best typologies of public buildings to spread good practices on how to manage energy, indoor environment and sustainability. This study focuses on the energy efficiency of libraries in the West and Tejo Valley Region. Portugal, in the context of the elaboration of its new regional plan (PROT) [1]. This opportunity is particularly-relevant because the PROT will integrate for the first time a chapter on Energy Planning. The study first compares the characteristics of the different typologies of the library buildings in the region, which have been under a program of upgrading involving significant renovation and. in some cases, new buildings. Using detailed simulation, it then shows that the recent trends on the construction practice are less compatible with passive cooling and - for the same comfort patterns - much more energy intensive. Saving potentials ranging 50% of the primary energy for heating, cooling and lighting were identified as easily achievable.