Development of a Quantitative Exergy Cost Model for Assessing Thermal Bridge Effects in Ultra-Low Energy Building Enclosures

With the escalating global energy crisis and increasing environmental concerns, ultra-low energy buildings have garnered significant attention as a sustainable architectural paradigm.The enclosure structure plays a crucial role in the energy consumption of buildings, with thermal bridge effects exerting a significant impact on energy efficiency and carbon emissions.Although considerable progress has been made in the study of thermal bridge effects in buildings, a comprehensive quantitative analysis specific to ultralow energy building enclosures remains insufficient.In particular, a systematic evaluation framework and standardized assessment methodology for life-cycle energy and exergy consumption have not yet been established.Consequently, accurately quantifying the influence of thermal bridge effects and conducting cost analyses based on this quantification have become critical issues in building energy efficiency research.Existing studies have primarily focused on localized analyses of thermal bridge effects, lacking a systematic investigation of the entire building enclosure and its life-cycle energy and exergy consumption.Most models fail to account for the cumulative impact of thermal bridge effects on long-term energy performance and do not adequately quantify the integrated costs associated with building materials, construction, and operational phases.These limitations hinder the practical application and promotion of research findings in engineering practice.This study addresses the thermal bridge effects in ultra-low energy building enclosures, focusing on two key aspects: (a) a systematic analysis of life-cycle energy and exergy consumption in ultra-low energy building enclosures, and (b) the development of a quantitative exergy cost model for thermal bridge effects.By introducing novel analytical and modeling approaches, this study aims to provide a more precise assessment tool for evaluating thermal bridge effects, thereby advancing the application of ultra-low energy buildings in energy conservation and carbon reduction.The findings of this research offer theoretical foundations and practical guidance for the green development of the building industry.