Climate change and energy poverty pose urgent challenges for the building sector, requiring adaptive strategies that minimize energy use while limiting invasive interventions. This study proposes an innovative methodological framework for the optimization of activity-based scheduling in multi-purpose sports halls, with the dual aim of improving thermal comfort and reducing energy demand. Unlike conventional fixed-temperature operation, the approach aligns indoor conditions with the schedules and metabolic needs of specific activities. Due to the limited literature on thermal comfort assessment in sports facilities, new criteria were established by integrating recent scientific research with sports national and international guidelines. The methodology was validated through a case study of a Japanese sports hall, where envelope and ventilation strategies were first assessed and then coupled with a decision-support tool. The tool identifies optimal activity-based schedules, as well as the most suitable time slots and seasonal periods for each activity type. The study introduces a unified framework linking the thermal comfort impacts of activity-based scheduling with energy and economic outcomes. By comparing an optimized baseline schedule with two non-optimal scenarios, the analysis highlights the cost-opportunity of deviation from the optimal schedule and the marked differences in energy demand and operational costs, providing robust evidence of the benefits of the proposed approach. Relative to the baseline, the first scenario (heating-driven) shows an energy increase of 111.3% and a thermal discomfort increase of 72.4%, while the second scenario (cooling-driven) results in an energy increase of 325.4% and a 48.3% rise in discomfort. Overall, this methodological framework offers a practical tool for designers and facility managers to implement climate-responsive, activity-based management of sports facilities, with multiple potential applications ranging from energy cost reduction and system strategy definition to activity budget allocation and occupants’ well-being.
Cambiamento climatico e povertà energetica impongono sfide urgenti per il settore edilizio, richiedendo strategie adattive che minimizzino l’uso di energia limitando al contempo interventi invasivi di efficientamento. Questo studio propone un innovativo quadro metodologico per ottimizzare la programmazione delle attività nelle palestre polifunzionali, con il duplice obiettivo di migliorare il comfort termico e ridurre la domanda di energia. A differenza del funzionamento convenzionale a temperatura fissa, l’approccio allinea le condizioni interne con le fasce orarie e le esigenze metaboliche delle specifiche attività. A causa della limitata letteratura sulla valutazione del comfort termico negli impianti sportivi, sono stati stabiliti nuovi criteri integrando la recente ricerca scientifica con le linee guida sportive nazionali ed internazionali. La metodologia è stata validata attraverso un caso studio di una palestra in Giappone, in cui le strategie di involucro e ventilazione sono state prima valutate e poi sono state abbinate a uno strumento di supporto decisionale. Lo strumento identifica le programmazioni ottimali, nonché le fasce orarie e i periodi stagionali più adatti per ciascun tipo di attività. Lo studio introduce un quadro unificato che collega gli impatti sul comfort termico della programmazione delle attività con i risultati energetici ed economici. Confrontando una programmazione ottimizzata con due scenari non ottimali, l’analisi evidenzia il costo-opportunità della deviazione dall’uso ottimale e le rilevanti differenze nella domanda energetica e nei costi operativi, offrendo solide prove dei benefici dell’approccio proposto. Rispetto al caso base, il primo scenario (heating-driven) mostra un aumento energetico del 111,3% e un incremento del discomfort termico del 72,4%, mentre il secondo scenario (cooling-driven) comporta un aumento energetico del 325,4% e un incremento del discomfort del 48,3%. Nel complesso, questo quadro metodologico offre uno strumento pratico per progettisti e facility manager al fine di implementare una gestione delle strutture sportive basata sulle attività svolte e sul clima, con molteplici potenziali applicazioni che vanno dalla riduzione dei costi energetici e dalla definizione delle strategie impiantistiche fino all’allocazione del budget e al benessere degli occupanti.
Climate-responsive design and dynamic energy modelling for a sports hall in Japan: the impact of activity-based scheduling on energetic and economic perfomance
Nuzzi, Stefano
2024/2025
Abstract
Climate change and energy poverty pose urgent challenges for the building sector, requiring adaptive strategies that minimize energy use while limiting invasive interventions. This study proposes an innovative methodological framework for the optimization of activity-based scheduling in multi-purpose sports halls, with the dual aim of improving thermal comfort and reducing energy demand. Unlike conventional fixed-temperature operation, the approach aligns indoor conditions with the schedules and metabolic needs of specific activities. Due to the limited literature on thermal comfort assessment in sports facilities, new criteria were established by integrating recent scientific research with sports national and international guidelines. The methodology was validated through a case study of a Japanese sports hall, where envelope and ventilation strategies were first assessed and then coupled with a decision-support tool. The tool identifies optimal activity-based schedules, as well as the most suitable time slots and seasonal periods for each activity type. The study introduces a unified framework linking the thermal comfort impacts of activity-based scheduling with energy and economic outcomes. By comparing an optimized baseline schedule with two non-optimal scenarios, the analysis highlights the cost-opportunity of deviation from the optimal schedule and the marked differences in energy demand and operational costs, providing robust evidence of the benefits of the proposed approach. Relative to the baseline, the first scenario (heating-driven) shows an energy increase of 111.3% and a thermal discomfort increase of 72.4%, while the second scenario (cooling-driven) results in an energy increase of 325.4% and a 48.3% rise in discomfort. Overall, this methodological framework offers a practical tool for designers and facility managers to implement climate-responsive, activity-based management of sports facilities, with multiple potential applications ranging from energy cost reduction and system strategy definition to activity budget allocation and occupants’ well-being.| File | Dimensione | Formato | |
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https://hdl.handle.net/10589/244008