Nearly Zero-Energy Refurbished Buildings (nZERBs): A Case Study of an Historical University Departement

In energy consumption level, buildings are currently the largest sector, therefore, the energy efficiency of these structures, assumes a priority role in refurbishing projects. The “building automation” as well as the redesign of the electrical and thermal system of a structure can offer significant contributions in terms of energy saving, comfort and functionality. Recent policies introduced the nZEB (Nearly Zero-Energy Building) qualification. The challenge we are facing is to work on the refurbishment of existing buildings by identifying a model that on the one hand allows nzeb qualification and on the other hand is applicable to existing buildings with all the technical and economic constraints. In this article is presented a model appliable to old existing buildings with a case study of the refurbishment of an historical university department located in the hystoric center of Rome, through the use of software that can create dynamic models of operation faithful to the real case. The goal of the paper is to introduce a new model called Nearly Zero-Energy Refurbished Buildings (nZERBs).