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Optimal pathway towards building EPC rating improvements align with building energy performance certificate programme
Dissertation (MEng (Electrical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2024.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613449916252160 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Ye, Xianming |
| author_browse | Ye, Xianming |
| author_facet | Ye, Xianming |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Dissertation (MEng (Electrical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2024. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/100071 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:36:19.976Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/100071 Optimal pathway towards building EPC rating improvements align with building energy performance certificate programme Ye, Xianming u13166426@tuks.co.za Mokaile, Sifiso UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Mixed integer non linear programming Energy performance certificate MATLAB Renewable energy sources Retrofitting Pathway Energy efficiency measures Dissertation (MEng (Electrical Engineering))--University of Pretoria, 2024. This dissertation investigates an optimal pathway for commercial buildings to improve their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings by efficiently adopting Energy Efficiency Measures (EEMs). With buildings contributing approximately 40\% of global energy consumption and 36\% of carbon dioxide emissions, enhancing energy performance is critical. EPCs have been introduced globally to assess and promote energy efficiency in buildings. However, the uptake of EPCs and adherence to the recommended EEMs have been limited, especially in countries like South Africa and Scotland. In South Africa, only 1\% of the commercial buildings requiring EPCs have obtained them, and many building owners are hesitant to implement the recommended measures due to lack of trust, financial, and time constraints. This research addresses these challenges by proposing a model that optimises the selection and implementation of EEMs to achieve higher EPC ratings cost-effectively. The optimisation model, developed using MATLAB’s Genetic Algorithm (GA) solver, minimises the investment required while improving the energy performance of buildings step-by-step. The model considers key EEMs such as lighting system upgrades, HVAC improvements, and the integration of renewable energy sources like solar panels and battery storage. The approach allows building owners to make gradual improvements, balancing cost and time, leading to higher EPC ratings over time. To validate the proposed pathway, the study applied the model to a case study of a commercial building in Pretoria, South Africa. The results revealed that by adopting the optimal sequence of EEMs, the building could achieve significant energy savings while progressing through the EPC rating scales. The model demonstrated that a step-by-step approach can reduce the upfront financial burden compared to an aggressive all-at-once strategy. The study also makes recommendations for policymakers to refine EPC standards and support measures that incentivise building owners to participate in energy saving projects. National Research Foundation (NRF) grant link Huawei Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering MEng (Electrical Engineering) Unrestricted Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology SDG-07: Affordable and clean energy 2025-01-15T07:50:16Z 2025-01-15T07:50:16Z 2025-05-20 2024-10-15 Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/100071 10.25403/UPresearchdata.28052789 en © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Mixed integer non linear programming Energy performance certificate MATLAB Renewable energy sources Retrofitting Pathway Energy efficiency measures Optimal pathway towards building EPC rating improvements align with building energy performance certificate programme |
| title | Optimal pathway towards building EPC rating improvements align with building energy performance certificate programme |
| title_full | Optimal pathway towards building EPC rating improvements align with building energy performance certificate programme |
| title_fullStr | Optimal pathway towards building EPC rating improvements align with building energy performance certificate programme |
| title_full_unstemmed | Optimal pathway towards building EPC rating improvements align with building energy performance certificate programme |
| title_short | Optimal pathway towards building EPC rating improvements align with building energy performance certificate programme |
| title_sort | optimal pathway towards building epc rating improvements align with building energy performance certificate programme |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Mixed integer non linear programming Energy performance certificate MATLAB Renewable energy sources Retrofitting Pathway Energy efficiency measures |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/100071 |