Topographical optimisation of single-storey non-domestic steel framed buildings using photovoltaic panels for net-zero carbon impact

A methodology is presented that combines a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm and artificial neural networks to optimise single-storey steel commercial buildings for net-zero carbon impact. Both symmetric and asymmetric geometries are considered in conjunction with regulated, unregulated and emb...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: McKinstray, R., Lim, J., Tanyimboh, T., Phan, Thanh Duoc, Sha, W., Brownlee, A.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Pergamon 2015
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/16956
_version_ 1848749325297909760
author McKinstray, R.
Lim, J.
Tanyimboh, T.
Phan, Thanh Duoc
Sha, W.
Brownlee, A.
author_facet McKinstray, R.
Lim, J.
Tanyimboh, T.
Phan, Thanh Duoc
Sha, W.
Brownlee, A.
author_sort McKinstray, R.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description A methodology is presented that combines a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm and artificial neural networks to optimise single-storey steel commercial buildings for net-zero carbon impact. Both symmetric and asymmetric geometries are considered in conjunction with regulated, unregulated and embodied carbon. Offsetting is achieved through photovoltaic (PV) panels integrated into the roof. Asymmetric geometries can increase the south facing surface area and consequently allow for improved PV energy production. An exemplar carbon and energy breakdown of a retail unit located in Belfast UK with a south facing PV roof is considered. It was found in most cases that regulated energy offsetting can be achieved with symmetric geometries. However, asymmetric geometries were necessary to account for the unregulated and embodied carbon. For buildings where the volume is large due to high eaves, carbon offsetting became increasingly more difficult, and not possible in certain cases. The use of asymmetric geometries was found to allow for lower embodied energy structures with similar carbon performance to symmetrical structures.
first_indexed 2025-11-14T07:19:08Z
format Journal Article
id curtin-20.500.11937-16956
institution Curtin University Malaysia
institution_category Local University
last_indexed 2025-11-14T07:19:08Z
publishDate 2015
publisher Pergamon
recordtype eprints
repository_type Digital Repository
spelling curtin-20.500.11937-169562018-03-29T09:06:21Z Topographical optimisation of single-storey non-domestic steel framed buildings using photovoltaic panels for net-zero carbon impact McKinstray, R. Lim, J. Tanyimboh, T. Phan, Thanh Duoc Sha, W. Brownlee, A. A methodology is presented that combines a multi-objective evolutionary algorithm and artificial neural networks to optimise single-storey steel commercial buildings for net-zero carbon impact. Both symmetric and asymmetric geometries are considered in conjunction with regulated, unregulated and embodied carbon. Offsetting is achieved through photovoltaic (PV) panels integrated into the roof. Asymmetric geometries can increase the south facing surface area and consequently allow for improved PV energy production. An exemplar carbon and energy breakdown of a retail unit located in Belfast UK with a south facing PV roof is considered. It was found in most cases that regulated energy offsetting can be achieved with symmetric geometries. However, asymmetric geometries were necessary to account for the unregulated and embodied carbon. For buildings where the volume is large due to high eaves, carbon offsetting became increasingly more difficult, and not possible in certain cases. The use of asymmetric geometries was found to allow for lower embodied energy structures with similar carbon performance to symmetrical structures. 2015 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/16956 10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.12.017 Pergamon restricted
spellingShingle McKinstray, R.
Lim, J.
Tanyimboh, T.
Phan, Thanh Duoc
Sha, W.
Brownlee, A.
Topographical optimisation of single-storey non-domestic steel framed buildings using photovoltaic panels for net-zero carbon impact
title Topographical optimisation of single-storey non-domestic steel framed buildings using photovoltaic panels for net-zero carbon impact
title_full Topographical optimisation of single-storey non-domestic steel framed buildings using photovoltaic panels for net-zero carbon impact
title_fullStr Topographical optimisation of single-storey non-domestic steel framed buildings using photovoltaic panels for net-zero carbon impact
title_full_unstemmed Topographical optimisation of single-storey non-domestic steel framed buildings using photovoltaic panels for net-zero carbon impact
title_short Topographical optimisation of single-storey non-domestic steel framed buildings using photovoltaic panels for net-zero carbon impact
title_sort topographical optimisation of single-storey non-domestic steel framed buildings using photovoltaic panels for net-zero carbon impact
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/16956