Optimization of energy efficiency and COVID-19 pandemic control in different indoor environments

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to considerable morbidity and mortality, and consumed enormous resources (e.g. energy) to control and prevent the disease. It is crucial to balance infection risk and energy consumption when reducing the spread of infection. In this study, a quantitative human, behavior-based, infection risk-energy consumption model for different indoor environments was developed. An optimal balance point for each indoor environment can be obtained using the anti-problem method. For this study we selected Wangjing Block, one of the most densely populated places in Beijing, as an example. Under the current ventilation standard (30 m(3)/h/person), prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic would be insufficient because the basic reproduction number (R0) for students, workers and elders are greater than 1. The optimal required fresh air ventilation rates in most indoor environments are near or below 60 m3/h/person, after considering the combined effects of multiple mitigation measures. In residences, sports buildings and restaurants, the demand for fresh air ventilation rate is relatively high. After our global optimization of infection risk control (R-0 <= 1), energy consumption can be reduced by 13.7% and 45.1% on weekdays and weekends, respectively, in contrast to a strategy of strict control (R-0 = 1 for each indoor environment). (C) 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study develops a quantitative model based on human behavior to balance infection risk and energy consumption in different indoor environments. Using Beijing's Wangjing Block as an example, the study finds that the current ventilation standard is insufficient for preventing and controlling COVID-19, and the optimal fresh air ventilation rates in most indoor environments are below 60 m3/h/person.