Analysis of Energy Efficiency Measures in Integrating Light-Duty Electric Vehicles in NZEB Buildings: A Case Study in an Educational Facility in the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

The increasing reliance on electric vehicle (EV) charging in buildings requires balancing the load from other building systems to support the new demand. This paper uses a study case in a Near-Zero Energy Building (NZEB) educational facility located in the Brazilian Amazon to verify how much the energy efficiency (EE) measures would improve the existing ratings of the building and supply the expansion of EV demand. A comprehensive building energy load and energy performance analysis were conducted in four steps, following the mandatory Brazilian requirements for EE in public buildings, using measured data, computer modeling, and thermoenergetic analyses using OpenStudio version 1.1.0 and EnergyPlus software version 9.4.0. First, the EE retrofit measures were proposed and evaluated, targeting the air conditioning and lighting systems. Subsequently, an equation was elaborated to indicate the maximum level of energy consumption that could be increased without compromising the building’s energy performance and NZEB classification. Finally, Open DSS software version 10.0.0.2 was used to simulate the increased availability of EV charging after the retrofit. With the proposed retrofit, the building improved the EE ratings by three levels, and the percentage of the NZEB rating increased by 33.28%. These measures also increased the EV charging load by 20%, maintaining the maximum EE level and the NZEB classification, although EV maximization reduced self-sufficiency by 9.78% compared to the retrofit-only scenario.