Energy Modelling and Retrofit of the Residential Building Stock of Jiangsu Province

The contribution discusses the energy use and characteristics of the residential building stock in Jiangsu Province (China), with a focus on the potential of large-scale energy retrofit to mitigate environmental impact and running costs of its most inefficient vintages, while improving occupant comfort and reducing the need for demolition and reconstruction in the upgrading of the stock. While the historical part of the residential stock is profoundly rooted in the local traditions and adapted to the climate of the region, the development of the newer building typologies, that currently constitute the majority of the extant buildings, has been drastically shaped by different international influences starting form the 20th century. The study is part of a research conducted mainly by means of bottom-up energy modelling and simulation. The methodology involves the identification of representative typologies that can be modelled in detail and be assigned a statistical weight to typify the behaviour of the entire stock. Different sets of simulations can then predict the performance of the entire stock in in different scenarios. Preliminary results indicate a significant potential of relatively simple retrofit interventions to reduce energy use and, more in general, the environmental impact of the construction and demolition industry in the province.