Assessing the Energy Efficiency improvement for hospitals in Egypt using building simulation modeling

Energy Consumption in Egypt’s buildings has increased considerably with the growing need to achieve
thermal comfort conditions inside buildings. The continuing increases in both residential and commercial
buildings require an increase in power generation meeting the new demand. Due to the increase of HVAC
systems operating hours, energy consumption in buildings is increasing yearly. It is desirable to minimize energy
consumption and to promote the use of renewable energy resources, saving the earth from global warming
effects and the depletion of the ozone layer.
In hot humid climatic regions, high temperatures with high humidity levels result in human discomfort leading to
high HVAC energy consumption. In order to understand the energy performance in Egyptian hospitals as it has
special requirements and massive energy consumption of HVAC equipment, medical equipment, lighting and
infection control systems a hospital located in Alexandria, Egypt was chosen as a case study. The study aims to
investigate the energy consumption in Egyptian hospitals and to evaluate the energy-saving efficiency of the
existing building. A model for under construction hospital was created using DesignBuilder simulation tool. The
model was validated based on the construction and mechanical consultants’ data based on the initial model
energy consumption then the model was retrofitted firstly to the latest design conditions and weather file data
based on ASHRAE and NREL recommendations. Energy efficient techniques affecting the cooling load, annual
HVAC energy consumption and total building energy were investigated. The study provides information for
energy efficiency improvements in Alexandria, Egypt hospitals helping designers managing energy in buildings
reducing the energy consumption sufficiently. The new energy model was simulated resulting in about 55% in
HVAC consumption and approximately 59% for whole building energy consumption.
This paper recommends a new energy model for future hospitals in Alexandria, Egypt improving the energy
efficiency in buildings.