Energy storage for residential dwellings. Methodology to improve energy efficiency and habitability

Abstract

The paper aims to develop a methodology for energy optimization of the residential sector which proposes a proper use of energy storage technologies applied to massive retrofitting. This research began as a mitigation measure against the low thermal qualities of existing buildings in Argentina, the energy crisis and its environmental consequences. Strategies of morphological and technological-constructive criteria according to representative typologies were adopted. In order to evaluate energy consumption, a method was implemented which considered the relationship between energy savings and initial investment cost through an “energy-economic efficiency index”. An application example on an existing building is exposed in order to visualize the analysis developed. Its implementation on relevant typologies allows us to expand the results and to analyse mitigation levels in the representative urban areas and thus replicate improvement proposals promoting a significant reduction in residential consumption considering its envelope as energy storage. The results show that savings of 20% would be achieved in the sector, noting that the participation of this sector represent almost a quarter of the national energy matrix. This (theoretically) reduction in energy demand is beneficial both for all individual users (who can amortize initial retrofitting costs in a brief time of 10 years or less according to energy subsidy levels), as for the group of the population and the state, because this reduction would allow dispensing with fuel imports and reframing subsidy policies. In conclusion, this paper shows how the proper use of energy storage technologies in residential dwellings may largely reduce the energy needs while delivering better indoor environment quality and providing the basis for future implementation of renewable sources.