Energy efficiency assessment using the INI-C simulation method in an educational building in Macapá/AP

Abstract

The new methodology launched with the Normative for Energy Efficiency of Commercial, Service and Public Buildings (INI-C) represents a significant advance in evaluating the thermal energy performance of buildings. In Brazil, the high consumption of electricity in public buildings is due to the use of standardized projects that do not consider the regional climate context in which they are implemented. Thus, the study of the materials used and the adoption of bioclimatic strategies from the design phase are crucial to achieve environmental sustainability and the rational use of resources. Therefore, the objective of this work is to evaluate the energy efficiency and environmental comfort of an educational building located in Macapá-AP, based on the INI-C simulation method, seeking to obtain the Efficiency Label A, using bioclimatic strategies suited to the Amazonian context. The methodology used the INI-C simulation method with EnergyPlus software, comparing the real model with a reference model, based on the analysis of the envelope, air conditioning and lighting systems to obtain the primary energy consumption and obtain the building label. The thermal comfort of two zones was analyzed from the predicted mean vote index (PMV). The results demonstrate that the efficiency label was “B”, with the original design bioclimatic strategies. Regarding thermal comfort, PMV values were close to neutrality in winter, and warm sensation in a summer period.