EVALUATING PASSIVE COOLING STRATEGIES FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN THE DESIGN OF SENATE BUILDING FOR FEDERAL UNIVERSITY KASHERE, GOMBE STATE

ABTSRACT

Apparently, Nigeria is struggling with the developmental issues of the incessant power outage and lack of energy services. The primary sources of energy for office building are from national grid and gasoline generators. However, the former is not reliable and the latter is unsustainable; hence, the need to explore energy efficiency strategies to cut down the energy demand for cooling office building in Nigeria is unavoidable. This dissertation aimed to assess the energy efficiency or performance index of the Nigerian Universities’ senate buildings in the north-eastern region (dry sub-humid climate). The research employed a case study approach, construction of baseline model with the Revit architecture software and applied Autodesk’s Ecotect building analysis software to evaluate the energy performance of the senate building as built. Three local case studies and one foreign case study were selected such as university administrative building of Modibbo Adama University of Technology, Yola (MAUTECH), senate building of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (ATBU), university administrative building of Gombe State University, Gombe (GSU) and the Chancellery office building of University Kebangsaan (UKM), Malaysia. Although, operating appliances release heat to interior spaces of the building but the scope of the study deals with the performance of the building envelope as a whole. In terms of adherence to the checklist, MAUTECH senate and ATBU some scored 65%, GSU got 78% while UKM got 94%. The simulation results show that in MAUTECH, as high as 141.4kwh/m² of heating/cooling required per annum;

ATBU senate got 127.3kwh/m2; GSU senate had 97.4kwh/m²; UKM had

20.5kwh/m² Annual Energy. These results have indicated that more efforts should gear towards exploring energy efficiency strategies in office building designs because the results are far away from the British standards of 15kwh/m2 for energy efficient office buildings. Then, the proposed senate building incorporated sustainable design features such as deciduous trees, double glazing, void, screen walls, horizontal and vertical shading devices, water surfaces, etc.; after the simulation, it was found out that 22.67kwh/m² Annual energy which is very closer to the stipulated British standard of 15wh/m² and 68.92% reduction was achieved.  Therefore, research implication is that it is essential for the architects and engineers to incorporate more proactive energy efficiency strategies in the design of office buildings in Nigeria.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page…………………………………………………………………………………ii

Declaration………………………………………………………………………………ii

Certification ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… iii

Acknowledgement …………………………………………………………………………………………….. iv

Abtsract …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. v

Table of Contents…………………………….……………………………..……………vii

List of Tables …………………………………………………………………………………………………… xii

List of Figures ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. xii

List of Plates ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. xvii

List of Appendices …………………………………………………………………………………………. xviii Abbreviations ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. xix

1.0 INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………………………………………………. 1

1.1 Background of the Study …………………………………………………………………………………………. 1

1.2 Problem Statement ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 3

1.3 Justification of Study ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study ……………………………………………………………………………………. 4

1.5 Research Questions …………………………………………………………………………………………………. 5

1.6 Scope…………………………………………………………………………………5

1.7 Significance …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 6

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW ……………………………………………………………………………….7

2.1 Energy Efficiency ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 7

2.2 Situation of energy supply in Nigeria ……………………………………………………………………….. 7

2.3 Energy Efficiency in Buildings …………………………………………………………………………………. 8

2.3.1 Selection of site ………………………………………………………………………………………… 10

2.3.2 Building shape and size …………………………………………………………………………….. 11

2.3.3 Use of building…………………………………………………………………………………………. 11

2.3.4 Fenestration and orientation……………………………………………………………………….. 11

2.3.5 Energy and building form ………………………………………………………………………….. 12

2.3.6 Effect of solar radiation on building’s orientation …………………………………………. 13

2.3.7 Effect of building height solar shading ………………………………………………………… 15

2.3.8 Effect of solar radiation on height to width ratios …………………………………………. 16

2.3.9 Energy and Building Materials …………………………………………………………………… 18

2.3.10 Insulation used as a resistance to heat flow; Mechanism of thermal mass ………. 21

2.4 Status of Passive Cooling Developments in Dry Sub-Humid/Bsh Subtropical Steppe .. 23

2.5 Contemporary Methods of Passive Cooling ……………………………………………………………. 23

2.5.1 Solar and heat protection techniques …………………………………………………………… 24

2.5.2 Modulation of heat gains …………………………………………………………………………… 25

2.5.3 Heat dissipation technique (Remove internal heat) ……………………………………….. 26

2.6 The need for Senate Building in Federal University Kashere, Gombe ……………………… 31

2.7 Summary of Findings from Literature Review ……………………………………………………….. 31

3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY …………………………………………………………………… 33

3.1 Preamble ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 33

3.2 Research Population ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 33

3.3 Sampling Technique ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 33

3.4 Case Study Approach ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 34

3.4.1 Case Study Selection Criteria …………………………………………………………………….. 34

3.4.2  Selected Cases to be studied ……………………………………………………………………… 34

3.5 Research Design ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 35

3.6 Dependent and Independent Variables …………………………………………………………………… 35

3.7 Methods of Data Collection ……………………………………………………………………………………. 36

3.7.1 Visual survey …………………………………………………………………………………………… 36

3.7.2 Computer Simulation ………………………………………………………………………………… 36

3.7.3 Selecting Energy Analysis Computer Programs ……………………………………………. 40

3.8 Analysis ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 41

3.8.1 Parametric analysis with computer simulations…………………………………………….. 42

4.0 RESULTS …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 43

4.1 Preamble ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 43

4.2 Findings from Case Study A: Modibbo Adama   University of Science and Technology

(MAUTECH) Administrative Building ………………………………………………………………………… 43

4.2.1 Passive cooling techniques ………………………………………………………………………… 43

4.3 Findings from Case Study B: Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi (ATBU)

Senate Building. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 51

4.3.1 Passive cooling techniques ………………………………………………………………………… 51

4.4 Findings from Case Study C: Gombe State University (GSU) Senate Building ………… 61

4.4.1 Passive cooling techniques ………………………………………………………………………… 61 4.5 Preliminaries for simulation…………………………………………………………………………………… 69

4.6 Environment for the Experiment …………………………………………………………………………… 70

4.7 Monthly heating/cooling Loads ………………………………………………………………………………. 70

4.7.1 Monthly heating/cooling loads for MAUTECH senate building …………………………………. 71

4.7.2 Monthly heating/cooling loads for ATBU senate building …………………………………………. 73

4.7.3 monthly heating/cooling loads for GSU senate building ……………………………………………. 76

4.8 Discussions of Findings ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 78

4.8.1 Discussion of findings from visual survey …………………………………………………… 78

4.8.2 Comparing the results of monthly energy load for ATBU, MAUTECH and GSU

senate buildings………………………………………………………………………………………………… 81

4.8.3 International Case Study: The Chancellery Building of University of Kebangsaan,

Malaysia (UKM) ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 84

4.8.4 comparing the results of the three local case studies with the foreign Case

Studies …………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 86

5.0 DESIGN REPORT ………………………………………………………………………………………. 87

5.1 The Site ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 87

5.1.1 Study Area ………………………………………………………………………………………………. 87

5.1.2 Site Selection Criteria ……………………………………………………………………………….. 87

5.1.3 Site Location ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 88

5.2 Site analysis …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 89

5.2.1 Site physical characteristic…………………………………………………………………………. 89

5.3 Climatic Data Analysis ………………………………………………………………………………………….. 90

5.3.1 Temperature …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 90

5.3.2 Wind……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 91

5.3.3 Precipitation …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 92

5.4 Services ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 92

5.5 Site Zoning ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 93

5.6 Simulation Results of Proposed Building ………………………………………………………….. 94

5.6.1 Wall ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 94

5.6.2 Roof ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 98

5.6.3 Window/Glazing …………………………………………………………………………………….. 100

5.6.4 Presence of vegetation …………………………………………………………………………….. 102

5.6.5 Orientation …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 103

5.6.6 Building Form ………………………………………………………………………………………… 103

5.7 Combination of Various Strategies ………………………………………………………………….. 104

5.3.1 Energy savings with proposed combinations of strategies ……………………………. 104

6.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ………………………………………… 107

6.1 Conclusion ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 107

6.2 Contribution to Knowledge……………………………………………………………………….. 107

6.3 Recommendations ……………………………………………………………………………………………. 108

6.4 Areas of Further Research ………………………………………………………………………………. 109

REFERENCES……………………………………………………………………………………………… 110

APPENDICES ………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 115

1.0 INTRODUCTION 

1.1 Background to the Study

It is a common fact that electricity is the fundamental energy source for industrial, commercial and domestic activity in the modern world. Presently, there are more than 150 million people living in Nigeria (McDonald, Green, Balk, Fekete, Todd

& Montgomery, 2011 ). Also, the installed capacity of Nigeria’s power sector is only capable of generating around 8000 MW of electricity, out of which only 4000

MW is operable and less than 2000 MW available to generate energy (Ogunleye,

2017). This is well below all economic projections and the country’s consumer and business needs, despite government investment of around USD1 billion annually in the sector (Brimmo, Sodiq, Sofela & Kolo, 2017). The World Bank estimates that in Nigeria the per capita electricity consumption is 120.5 kWh;

Compared to the annual world average of 2803 kWh in 2009 ((Brimmo et al., 2017).

Samuel, Katende, Daramola & Awelewa, (2014) noted that in Nigeria, the transmission lines are radial and are overloaded. The switchgears are obsolete while power transformers are poorly maintained. Overall transmission and distribution losses are in the range of 30–40%. The grid structure itself is unstable and vulnerable to sabotage.

Moreover, some buildings are said to consume more energy than others; office buildings consume a great deal of energy. Sadrzadehrafiei, Sopian, Mat, Lim, Hashim & Zaharim, (2012) asserted that about 70-300kwh/m² of energy is consumed by office buildings in Nigeria. The amount of energy used usually depends on region or climate and the appliances that are used.

Therefore, reduction in the quantity of energy consumed is inevitable; reduction of energy consumption in buildings can be achieved by simple methods and techniques using an appropriate building design and energy-efficient system and technology, such as passive cooling system (Ahmed, Khan, Than & Rasul, 2014)

Design strategies that minimize the need for mechanical cooling systems include proper window selection and orientation and day lighting design, selection of appropriate varnishing for windows and skylights, proper shading of glass when heat gains are not desired, use of light-colored materials for the building envelope and roof, careful sitting and orientation decisions and good landscaping design (Ahmed et al., 2014).

On the other hand, if the existing institutional structures in Nigerian universities were designed with least focus on energy efficiency in the past, built environment professionals especially practicing architects, engineers and students can still change the direction of the practice to a more efficient way of energy conservation. Also, Federal University Kashere (FUK), Gombe State, the location of this research is one of the newly established federal universities where researches can be explored and research findings can be put to practice.

University Senate Building is a structure built to serve the central administrative function in university campuses, design to accommodate offices, exhibition hall, senate chamber, governing council chamber and other necessary facilities. The university senate is the agency for the articulation and representation of the views of the faculty (Kentucky, 2011)

However, despite the numerous benefits of passive cooling strategies practicing

Architects still linger between theory and practical application. As a result of that, this research intends to evaluate passive cooling strategies as an intervention for energy efficiency in the university senate buildings in Dry Sub-humid climate; this dissertation also intends to create awareness within the built environment professionals to accept contemporary measures of reducing energy consumption in university senate buildings.

1.2 Problem Statement

Due to the incessant unstable nature of power supply by the Power Holding

Company of Nigeria (PHCN), most people rely on gasoline generators for power. This has made buildings especially offices to resort to alternative sources of energy which increases their running cost. This also harbors other negative effect such as air and noise pollution. Buildings in Nigeria are mostly poorly designed in terms of utilizing passive design strategies (Jibrin, 2016) which lead to increase of the building running cost; the extensive use of gasoline generators as an alternative source of power poses a great threat to the environment (Daroda, 2011; Jibrin, 2016).

On the account of the above, this research intends to evaluate passive cooling strategies as an intervention for energy efficiency in the design of university senate building in Dry Sub-humid climate.

1.3 Justification of Study

The outcome of this research will aid government policy in curbing the continuous loss of energy due to inefficient usage; now that government is battling to ensure stable power supply, researches should focus more on how to conserve the existing energy output.

In addition, the findings will be of immense importance to Federal University Kashere (FUK), Gombe state of Nigeria as a newly established institution in the area of research development. Built environment professionals especially architects and engineers will also benefit from the research and should take the major findings of the research as a priority in handling all subsequent projects of the university. Finally, the end users will benefit from the research because at the end, the occupants will have a thermally comfortable environment.

1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study

The aim of this research is to evaluate passive cooling strategies as an intervention for energy efficiency in the design of university senate building in Dry Sub-humid climatic zone of Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are:

1. To investigate the contemporary passive cooling strategies for energy efficiency in office building ii. To identify energy efficiency assessment criteria in accordance with passive cooling techniques for office buildings in Dry Sub-humid climatic region of Nigeria iii. To assess and simulate selected senate buildings for energy efficiency based on passive cooling criteria within the Dry Sub-humid climatic zone of Nigeria.
2. To compare the results of selected senate buildings in the Dry Sub-humid climatic zone of Nigeria.
3. To demonstrate the research findings in the design of an energy efficient university senate building in Dry Sub-humid climatic zone of Nigeria

1.5 Research Questions

The research questions for this dissertation are as follows:

1. What are the contemporary passive cooling strategies for energy

efficiency in office buildings?

1. What is the energy efficiency assessment criteria based on passive cooling strategies in office building in Dry Sub-humid climatic zone of Nigeria?

• What are the energy efficiency performance ratings of existing senate buildings in Dry Sub-humid climatic zone of Nigeria?

1. Which of the simulated senate buildings is the most energy efficient?
2. How best could passive cooling strategies be demonstrated in the design of university senate building.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The geographical area of Nigeria is so large that it is not easy for the researcher to conduct a comprehensive research on all the university senate buildings in Nigeria; moreover, as it is known that geographical considerations do affect practice, segmenting this study could, to a large extent enhance the reliability of its findings. Thus, this study has been delimited to some university senate buildings located within the Dry Sub-humid zones, North-east of Nigeria. Data will be collected through the case study approach with the help of visual survey, checklist and simulation.

1.7 Significance

There were several researches about overall energy saving methods for buildings and there are various researches about energy simulations focusing on various particular passive energy saving measures. However, there is a lack of such studies in terms of Dry Sub-Humid Climate. So the research highlights the environmental design of University Senate Buildings in the said climate in an attempt to find solutions for improving energy conservation. In addition, the research will help to establish better understanding about the interactive relationship between the building envelop, shape and the surrounding environment. Also the research helps to provide reasonable results, as it depends on using simulation program in order to optimize building energy performance.

EVALUATING PASSIVE COOLING STRATEGIES FOR ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN THE DESIGN OF SENATE BUILDING FOR FEDERAL UNIVERSITY KASHERE, GOMBE STATE