Energy Performance and Sustainability of High-Rise Buildings

Abstract

This study is to examine methods of enhancing energy efficiency and self-sustainability of tall buildings. The current levels of energy consumption of high-rise buildings were investigated. The alternative methods of producing onsite energy that can be harnessed from tall buildings wwere reviewed. The amount of solar energy that can be harnessed from PV panels installed on the roof and the south façade of a testbed building in New York was estimated. Comparing the quantities of renewable energy produced from and the energy demand of the building, the energy self-sufficiency of the building was analyzed. It was found that, with current technology, onsite solar systems can meet only a small fraction, less than 4.2%, of the building s energy demand. From this study, it was concluded that energy self-sufficiency of tall buildings must be approached by enhancing the energy efficiency of various building systems of tall buildings.