Sensitivity analysis of design parameters and optimal design for zero/low energy buildings in subtropical regions.

Highlights • A new approach for design optimization of zero/low energy buildings is proposed. • The approach integrates multi-stage sensitivity analysis and design optimization. • An optimization method for buildings without heating in subtropics is developed. • Concern of winter thermal discomfort affects the selection of key design parameters. • Such concern affects the optimal design of buildings without heating in subtropics. Abstract To reduce building energy use and mitigate CO 2 emissions, zero/low energy buildings have attracted increasing attention. However, the impacts of the main design parameters and optimal design for zero/low energy buildings only provided with cooling in subtropical regions are seldom studied, and the objectives for building performance assessment and design optimization in such particular situations are not addressed sufficiently. In this study, the impacts of the main design parameters and optimal design for zero/low energy buildings in subtropical regions are studied. A holistic approach integrating sensitivity analysis and design optimization is developed for zero/low energy buildings. A new optimization objective is proposed, which considers annual energy consumption and winter thermal discomfort, for buildings without heating provision. A multi-stage sensitivity analysis approach is proposed to identify the key design parameters for design optimization. The key building design parameters are optimized to minimize the optimization objective using the genetic algorithm. A case study is conducted, using the zero carbon building (ZCB) in Hong Kong as a reference building, to illustrate the implementation steps and effectiveness of the proposed approach. This paper presents the identification of the key influential design parameters in the subtropical climate and the design optimization method of zero/low energy buildings as well as the procedures and the results of the case study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]