Achieving energy efficiency through industrialized building system for residential buildings in Iraq

Abstract

Achieving energy efficiency particularly in Iraq is very critical due to continuous energy crisis since the 1990s. One of the major cities, Basra City faced this crisis since 2003 with energy generation declining by 26.4%. The building industry in Iraq represents the largest demand of energy, mainly in residential sector. In fact, most residential buildings depend on conventional construction system. In the past, the traditional system used to provide comfortable conditions during summer and winter. However, because of the increasing effect of global warming and technological advancement, this constructional system is no longer viable. Currently, the Industrial Building System (IBS) represents one of industrialization approaches which aims to enhance building quality and performance. However, the prefabrication construction system is rare and scarce in this country. Based on previous scenarios and researches, this study aims to investigate and compare the level of energy efficiency in the conventional system and IBS. Since it is difficult to collect data because of instability and insufficient provision of energy generation, the study was based on a simulation approach by using the EnergyPlus software to evaluate the actual condition. The study targeted an existing house in Basra (two-stories) with built-up area of 135 m². The performance was measured on the two systems throughout the year. The findings showed that the annual energy demand for cooling and heating for the conventional system was 19,311.99 kWh while the IBS performed efficiently with 7374.57 kWh. As a result, IBS reduced the annual energy consumption of 37.32% for heating and 65.36% for cooling.