A novel hybrid method integrating multi-objective optimization with emergy analysis for building renewal strategy

Building renewal has become a promising approach for improving energy efficiency and reaching carbon neutrality targets. Two renewal strategies, namely, the retrofitting of existing buildings and their demolition and reconstruction of a new one, are often explored and compared to determine which strategy is the optimal one. However, the decision is still uncertain due to the large domain space of strategies and the lack of comprehensive methods. This paper, therefore, presents a novel hybrid method to help decision-makers identify the optimal building renewal strategy based on the integration of multi-objective optimization algorithm with emergy analysis. A simulation-based non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm is developed to select the optimal retrofitting strategy, where dynamic simulation model is created in EnergyPlus software and non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm is written in Python. Then, the equivalent reconstruction strategy is projected by the optimal retrofitting strategy while meeting mandatory standards. A comparison between the optimal retrofitting strategy and the equivalent reconstruction strategy can be made by applying emergy analysis considering the whole life cycle phase. A fictional office building was chosen as a case study to illustrate the practical implementation of the proposed method. High-cost building retrofitting strategies were found to consistently yield the highest energy savings and thermal comfort, and the energy use decreased by 4.63 % to 48.25 %. The input emergy of the original building, retrofitting building and reconstruction building are 3.16E + 20 sej, 1.41E + 21 sej, and 1.46E + 21 sej, respectively, and the output emergy are 2.39E + 20 sej, 1.66E + 20 sej, and 4.76E + 19 sej. The results also indicate that the sustainability of the retrofitting strategy is better than that of the reconstruction strategy. This paper provides a guidance method and framework for decision-makers and policy-makers to identify the optimal building renewal strategy for reducing the energy use and achieving carbon peak targets.