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Project # 60
A net-zero energy building retrofit project for UTA Engineering Research Building
| Team Lead: | Zubeeda Ashraf |
| Other Team Members: | Estefania Muniz |
| Faculty Advisor(s): | Insung Kang |
| Department: | CE |
| Project Type: | REU |
| Title: | A net-zero energy building retrofit project for UTA Engineering Research Building |
| Abstract: | Buildings significantly impact climate change, accounting for 40% of energy consumption and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. Since 2013, UTA campus buildings have averaged over 100 kBtu/ft² in energy use intensity (EUI), surpassing the national median of 84 kBtu/ft² for universities. In 2022, the Engineering Research Building (ERB) and the Science and Engineering Innovation and Research Building (SEIR) reported even higher EUIs of over 330 kBtu/ft² and 280 kBtu/ft², respectively. This proposal aims to evaluate net-zero energy strategies for deep energy retrofits and renewable energy systems, and assess their impact on energy use, carbon footprint, and life-cycle costs. A site assessment and energy audit will inform energy modeling, guiding the development of a deep retrofit package. Passive and active design strategies – such as enhanced insulation, air sealing, efficient HVAC, lighting, and appliances – will minimize energy consumption. Renewable energy solutions, including rooftop photovoltaics and ground-source heat pumps, will be explored to achieve net-zero energy. Life-cycle cost assessments will measure the retrofit package's effect on energy use and carbon emissions, ensuring a sustainable future for UTA buildings. |
| Poster: | View Poster #60 (PDF) |
| Judges Scoring: | Submit Evaluation (judges only) |