Reducing Energy Consumption in Iraqi Campuses with Passive Building Strategies: A Case Study at Al-Khwarizmi College of Engineering

Abstract

University campuses in Iraq are substantial energy consumers, with consumption increasing significantly during periods of high temperatures, underscoring the necessity to enhance their energy performance. Energy simulation tools offer valuable insights into evaluating and improving the energy efficiency of buildings. This study focuses on simulating passive architectural design for three selected buildings at Al-Khwarizmi College of Engineering (AKCOE) to examine the effectiveness of their cooling systems. DesignBuilder software was employed, and climatic data for a year in Baghdad was collected to assess the influence of passive architectural strategies on the thermal performance of the targeted buildings. The simulations revealed that the implementation of passive architectural design in AKCOE buildings led to a decrease in energy consumption for cooling purposes. Energy savings were achieved through natural ventilation, which minimized heat gain, and by employing continuous sun protection with double-glazed windows. By adopting a passive cooling strategy in AKCOE facilities, annual energy consumption for cooling within the campus could potentially be reduced by up to 23.6 percent. In conclusion, it was found that the current glazing system utilized in Iraqi building construction significantly contributes to electrical energy consumption.