Energy optimisation is an effective and reliable tool for comparing the cost and energy efficiency alternatives in construction projects. It can enable millions of suitable solutions to be compared simultaneously. The best overall solution is then selected from this group.
Energy optimisation provides target groups such as housing companies with an amazing tool for presenting comparisons of several alternatives in a simple format. The tool helps professional builders to achieve better quality, cost efficiency and time savings.
The key part of energy optimisation is setting a clear target. This may be a predetermined energy certification or a target figure for energy consumption. Optimisation combines quality and cost targets, such as indoor climate conditions and investment or life-cycle costs. As a result, it is possible to realise life-cycle savings worth up to hundreds of thousands of euros in comparison with ordinary energy planning.
Introducing optimisation early in the project design phase
Optimisation should be included in the project design phase while different alternative solutions are being analysed. ”In such cases, there is no need to limit the number of alternatives and procedures under analysis, and optimisation leads to the maximum possible benefit,” says energy expert Waltteri Salmi from Granlund Consulting.
Granlund’s energy optimisation projects utilise the MOBO tool, which was developed by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and Aalto University on dozens of sites around Finland over the last two years. Optimisation is suitable for all types of buildings, from residential buildings to large shopping centres and everything between. ”When we think about what the tool can be used for, the sky is the limit. We have used it to optimise the settings and operations of building services as well as to select energy solutions,” says Tuomo Niemelä, Granlund Consulting’s Leading Energy Expert, who is putting the finishing touches on his doctoral dissertation on the subject of energy optimisation.
