Towards Integrated Design Tools for Water–Energy Nexus Solutions: Simulation of Advanced AWG Systems at Building Scale
This study investigated the integration of advanced Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) within the design process of building energy systems, focusing on the water–energy nexus in the context of a real-life hospital building. It is based on a simulation approach, recognised as a viable means to anal...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3874 |
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| author | Lucia Cattani Roberto Figoni Paolo Cattani Anna Magrini |
| author_facet | Lucia Cattani Roberto Figoni Paolo Cattani Anna Magrini |
| author_sort | Lucia Cattani |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study investigated the integration of advanced Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) within the design process of building energy systems, focusing on the water–energy nexus in the context of a real-life hospital building. It is based on a simulation approach, recognised as a viable means to analyse and enhance AWG potentialities. However, the current state of research does not address the issue of AWG integration within building plant systems. This study contributes to fill such a research gap by building upon an authors’ previous work and proposing an enhanced methodology. The methodology describes how to incorporate a multipurpose AWG system into the energy simulation environment of DesignBuilder (DB), version 7.0.0116, through its coupling with AWGSim, version 1.20d, a simulation tool specifically developed for atmospheric water generators. The chosen case study is a wing of the Mondino Hospital in Pavia, Italy, selected for its complex geometry and HVAC requirements. By integrating AWG outputs—covering water production, heating, and cooling—into DB, this study compared two configurations: the existing HVAC system and an enhanced version that includes the AWG as plant support. The simulation results demonstrated a 16.3% reduction in primary energy consumption (from 231.3 MWh to 193.6 MWh), with the elimination of methane consumption and additional benefits in water production (257 m<sup>3</sup>). This water can be employed for photovoltaic panel cleaning, further reducing the primary energy consumption to 101.9 MWh (55.9% less than the existing plant), and for human consumption or other technical needs. Moreover, this study highlights the potential of using AWG technology to supply purified water, which can be a pivotal solution for hospitals located in areas affected by water crises. This research contributes to the atmospheric water field by addressing the important issue of simulating AWG systems within building energy design tools, enabling informed decisions regarding water–energy integration at the project stage and supporting a more resilient and sustainable approach to building infrastructure. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0ee6e8857ac841dd98a2aace46731f0c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-0ee6e8857ac841dd98a2aace46731f0c2025-08-20T03:35:37ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-07-011814387410.3390/en18143874Towards Integrated Design Tools for Water–Energy Nexus Solutions: Simulation of Advanced AWG Systems at Building ScaleLucia Cattani0Roberto Figoni1Paolo Cattani2Anna Magrini3SEAS SA, Société de l’Eau Aérienne Suisse, Technical Office, via dell’Industria 13/A, 6826 Riva San Vitale, SwitzerlandDepartment of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, ItalyDepartment of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, ItalyDepartment of Civil Engineering and Architecture, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, ItalyThis study investigated the integration of advanced Atmospheric Water Generators (AWGs) within the design process of building energy systems, focusing on the water–energy nexus in the context of a real-life hospital building. It is based on a simulation approach, recognised as a viable means to analyse and enhance AWG potentialities. However, the current state of research does not address the issue of AWG integration within building plant systems. This study contributes to fill such a research gap by building upon an authors’ previous work and proposing an enhanced methodology. The methodology describes how to incorporate a multipurpose AWG system into the energy simulation environment of DesignBuilder (DB), version 7.0.0116, through its coupling with AWGSim, version 1.20d, a simulation tool specifically developed for atmospheric water generators. The chosen case study is a wing of the Mondino Hospital in Pavia, Italy, selected for its complex geometry and HVAC requirements. By integrating AWG outputs—covering water production, heating, and cooling—into DB, this study compared two configurations: the existing HVAC system and an enhanced version that includes the AWG as plant support. The simulation results demonstrated a 16.3% reduction in primary energy consumption (from 231.3 MWh to 193.6 MWh), with the elimination of methane consumption and additional benefits in water production (257 m<sup>3</sup>). This water can be employed for photovoltaic panel cleaning, further reducing the primary energy consumption to 101.9 MWh (55.9% less than the existing plant), and for human consumption or other technical needs. Moreover, this study highlights the potential of using AWG technology to supply purified water, which can be a pivotal solution for hospitals located in areas affected by water crises. This research contributes to the atmospheric water field by addressing the important issue of simulating AWG systems within building energy design tools, enabling informed decisions regarding water–energy integration at the project stage and supporting a more resilient and sustainable approach to building infrastructure.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3874atmospheric water harvestingwater–energy nexusbuilding energy simulationsustainable atmospheric waterintegrated atmospheric water generators |
| spellingShingle | Lucia Cattani Roberto Figoni Paolo Cattani Anna Magrini Towards Integrated Design Tools for Water–Energy Nexus Solutions: Simulation of Advanced AWG Systems at Building Scale Energies atmospheric water harvesting water–energy nexus building energy simulation sustainable atmospheric water integrated atmospheric water generators |
| title | Towards Integrated Design Tools for Water–Energy Nexus Solutions: Simulation of Advanced AWG Systems at Building Scale |
| title_full | Towards Integrated Design Tools for Water–Energy Nexus Solutions: Simulation of Advanced AWG Systems at Building Scale |
| title_fullStr | Towards Integrated Design Tools for Water–Energy Nexus Solutions: Simulation of Advanced AWG Systems at Building Scale |
| title_full_unstemmed | Towards Integrated Design Tools for Water–Energy Nexus Solutions: Simulation of Advanced AWG Systems at Building Scale |
| title_short | Towards Integrated Design Tools for Water–Energy Nexus Solutions: Simulation of Advanced AWG Systems at Building Scale |
| title_sort | towards integrated design tools for water energy nexus solutions simulation of advanced awg systems at building scale |
| topic | atmospheric water harvesting water–energy nexus building energy simulation sustainable atmospheric water integrated atmospheric water generators |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3874 |
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