A study on the energy efficency of libraries of the west and tejo valley region in portugal

Library buildings offer special conditions to favor the adoption of low energy strategies. In addition, their potentialhigh degree of interaction with the youth and a specific educational role makes of libraries one of the best typologies of public buildings to spread good practiceson how to manage energy, indoor environment and sustainability. This study focuses on the energy efficiencyof libraries in the West and Tejo Valley Region, Portugal, in the context of the elaboration of its new regionalplan (PROT) [1]. This opportunity is particularly relevant because the PROT will integrate for the first time a chapter on Energy Planning.The study first compares the characteristics of the differenttypologies of the library buildings in the region, which have been under a program of upgrading involvingsignificant renovation and, in some cases, new buildings. Using detailed simulation, it then shows that the recent trends on the construction practice are less compatible with passive cooling and - for the same comfortpatterns - much more energy intensive. Saving potentialsranging 50% of the primary energy for heating, cooling and lighting were identified as easily achievable.