Using building energy models in the evaluation of retrofit strategies for industrial buildings in Italy

This paper presents an experimental study to develop energy saving potential strategies in prefabricated industrial buildings using energy models to compare and to evaluate different energy retrofit solutions. Latest European policy and programs focus on researches about retrofit and refurbishment of existing building, in particular about industrial building which is considered a strategic sector not only for improve energy efficiency and sustainability but also for improve economy, jobs and competitiveness, into a general view overcoming national approaches and looking for synergic and integrated strategies and programs. Much of the industrial sector in Italy is obsolete, with high energy consumption, and nowadays there are, in Italy, only few studies on this topic which are not able to support assessments about average actual or potential energy performances of industrial buildings. In this sense, providing operative actions or strategies to improve energy efficiency and reduce energy uses in Italian industry is fundamental. This study, starting from a previous research focused on statistical data about energy efficiency of industrial buildings, aimed to establish general background and effective criteria for refurbishment actions, with specific real cases.