Analyzing the economic feasibility of permutations of energy saving measures with batch simulations and Pareto optimization

Two years after the implementation of the Flemish energy performance regulation, the Flemish government has to consider the opportunities for strengthening the minimal energy performance requirements. In this frame, a technical-economical study on the cost-effectiveness of different energysaving measures is executed for the residential sector, considering the current technologies and their costs. For each measure, the characteristic parameters, the investment costs and the grey energy content are defined. Given the high correlation between the different measures, a simulation matrix of all possible and meaningful combinations is created. The Flemish steady state EPBD calculation procedure is used to calculate the energy and environmental impact of the various combinations. The programme is adapted to perform a batch simulation with the defined simulation matrices. The economical evaluation is based on the total actual cost of each combination. The concept of Pareto optimization is used to determine the optimal tradeoff between energy savings and costs. The simulation results show that the economic optimal combination of energy saving measures, considering the costs and benefits over a long term of 30 years, can reach 30% better insulation level and a 40% better energy performance level than the current legal level. Depending on the adopted energy scenarios, even higher, economically viable, energy performance levels can be achieved.