Optimización del consumo y flexibilidad energética de aulas de edificios educativos para controlar la temperatura y la calidad del aire

Abstract

This study addresses one of the issues that became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when resuming in-person classes with occupancy restrictions and ventilation recommendations: simultaneously maintaining the air quality levels established by regulations and thermal comfort proves particularly challenging. Educational buildings in Spain lack mechanical ventilation systems and rely on natural ventilation to ensure air quality, which directly impacts comfort, both in winter and summer. This study is based on the premise that mechanical ventilation can regulate both factors while adjusting the necessary energy consumption to achieve it. This is demonstrated through simulations executed in Python, based on measurements taken from more than 50 educational centres, aimed at developing thermal models and CO2 concentration levels in classrooms. Furthermore, the study compares the impact of such modernization across the four climatic regions of Catalonia, highlighting significant differences between coastal and mountainous areas.

Peer Reviewed

Postprint (published version)