Improving Building Energy Performance: A Case Study of a Co-operative Housing Association in Sweden Using IDA ICE
2025 (English)Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (Two Years)), 20 credits / 30 HE credits
Student thesis
Sustainable development
The essay/thesis is partially on sustainable development according to the University's criteria
Abstract [en]
Buildings account for 40% of final energy use in Sweden, with approximately 58% of that used for space heating and domestic hot water. This is a case study of the co-operative housing association HSB Stigs gård, located in Gävleborg, Sweden, which consists of 30 residential building with 2-10 dwellings each, and communal facilities. The energy supplied for space heating and domestic hot water is 134 kWh/m2. The heat is distributed through culverts between the buildings within the association, with distribution losses. The aim of this study is to conduct an energy audit of the district heating supplied to the association, using simulations in IDA ICE to quantify space heating at the current state and the potential energy savings with upcoming maintenance measures, specifically roof insulation and window replacements. The study is performed with some delimitations, such as no investment costs, no actual water consumption data, and the simulations are made with standard values from the building time period. The study estimates the potential cost savings in district heating resulting from the reduced energy use, although the investment costs of the measures themselves are not considered. The study also includes an analysis of domestic hot water use, with the objective of assessing whether individual metering and debiting (IMD) for hot water would be a suitable and relevant measure for the association. The study was conducted through site visits, analysis of energy invoices, and simulations in IDA ICE. The results showed an approximate distribution loss of 170 MWh, which was the difference between the amount of district heating purchased and the calculated result. With distribution losses included during September to May to the simulated results, the calculated result of 2024 was 128 kWh/m2, with roof insulation 120 kWh/m2, with window replacement 115 kWh/m2 and with both, 107 kWh/m2. The annual energy cost savings would be SEK 103,000 with roof insulation, SEK 137,000 with window replacements, and SEK 201,000 with both. The domestic hot water (DHW) consumption was estimated to be approximately 22% higher than the national average, based on heat usage during the summer period when only hot water is produced. However, due to the lack of actual water consumption data, this estimate could not be validated. It is therefore possible that a significant share of the energy use is due to system losses, making individual metering and debiting (IMD) for hot water not currently a suitable measure.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2025. , p. 68
National Category
Energy Systems
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hig:diva-48007OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hig-48007DiVA, id: diva2:1985674
Subject / course
Energy systems
Educational program
Master Programme in Energy Systems (online)
Presentation
2025-06-04, Zoom, 21:01 (English)
Supervisors
Examiners
2025-07-282025-07-262025-10-02Bibliographically approved