Editorial: Toward Sustainable Futures: Optimizing Building Energy Consumption for a Greener Built Environment

Amirhossein Balali ^1* Akilu Yunusa-Kaltungo ^1* Alireza Valipour ²

• ¹ The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
• ² Islamic Azad University of Shiraz, Shiraz, Fars, Iran

The world is undergoing rapid transformation, particularly in terms of population growth, which has significant implications for energy consumption and sustainability. Projections indicate that existing primary energy sources may be depleted within the next century, underscoring the urgent need to enhance energy efficiency in the built environment. Buildings, as one of the largest consumers of energy, contribute substantially to global energy demand. As cities expand and populations rise, energy efficiency in buildings becomes even more critical to achieving sustainable development. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasise the importance of "Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG11)", reinforcing the necessity of reducing energy consumption through innovative strategies and technologies. This topical collection brings together pioneering research that offers novel approaches for optimising energy use in buildings, integrating digital tools, improving architectural education, and enhancing sustainability in school environments. The studies presented here provide practical solutions and insights for advancing energy efficiency in the built environment.The article by Borodinecs et al. presents a framework for continuous dynamic energy simulations to enhance decision-making in office building operations. Through OpenStudio modelling and Python-based modifications, the research demonstrates how optimising the operation of air handling units alone can significantly improve energy efficiency while maintaining occupant comfort.Additionally, the study highlights the potential for integrating digital twins with machine learning algorithms to automate building energy optimisation strategies, further advancing sustainable building management.Addressing the sustainability of educational environments, the study by Salameh and Touqan explores the impact of courtyard orientation on microclimate and energy consumption in hot climates. Using a standardised template applied to numerous school buildings, the study finds that north-facing courtyards provide cooler microclimates, reducing both indoor temperatures and cooling demands.These findings reinforce the importance of strategic design considerations in educational facilities, offering practical solutions for enhancing thermal comfort and sustainability in hot climates.