Implementing Passive House Standards in Public Buildings: Retrofitting of a University Building in Brussels, Belgium, Energy efficiency of buildings

----------------------------------------------------------ABSTRACT IN ENGLISH----------------------------------------------------------- The rational use of energy is a major challenge that today’s societies have to win in order to preserve the environment as well as protect their economical, social and political development. A major step in this direction is to reduce the energy consumption of existing buildings. Among existing certifications, the Passive House standards guarantee the best energy performance (regarding heating demand). However, the vast majority of Passive House buildings are new residential constructions with some refurbishment projects. This report assesses the feasibility of the implementation of Passive House standards in public buildings, retrofitted as well as new constructions. The state of the art practices for residential buildings was first analyzed. Case studies of Passive House standard buildings were studied to complement this first part. Conclusions regarding the differences between residential and public buildings were then drawn in order to outline the needed adaptations. A case study of a representative university building in Brussels, Belgium comprising different functions was then modeled in the dynamic building energy simulation software DEROB-LTH for running parametric studies. The combination of found optimal values was used to produce a Passive House standards’ building. The latter constituted a basis for the establishment of guidelines regarding the implementation of Passive House standards in existing public buildings such as educational and office buildings. Results show that it should be possible to implement Passive House standards in this type of buildings. Great care should however be taken regarding the cooling demand that increases with improved thermal performance of the envelope. Night ventilation strategies combined with installation of high-efficiency lighting systems and electronic equipments is needed. Heat recovery systems are also necessary for guaranteeing a low heat demand. Active systems can hardly be dismissed.