Abstract

This work aimed to find the best possible solution for transparent façades. The evaluation was formulated to assure the highest user comfort criteria corresponding to energy efficiency—two criterion optimisation. The analyses were based on BESTEST, south-oriented zone geometry. Computer model was designed using Finite Control Volume Techniques with assumptions for applied materials and specified boundary conditions, plus reference year for energy calculation (WYEC2). The natural ventilation façade system was designed to determine airflow network inside the façade. The adjustable size of openings (inlets and outlets) was selected at the level of 80% for the cold season and totally closed during the hot season. Environmental parameters for thermal comfort evaluation were: zone resultant temperature and solar radiation in zone space. Energy efficiency was assessed based on heat flux between the zone with controlled temperature and external environment. Results showed that well selected design of buffer zone section could improve energy efficiency of adjacent zones for both winter and summer periods. The most profitable Double Skin Façade solution is DGC (double glazing with low-e coating) combined with single glazing with internal blinds (SGB) or coloured glazing.

Abstract

This work details a methodology to characterize the performance of solar thermal and photovoltaic thermal (PVT) collectors using an indoor solar simulator. In this study, several cases have been compared to show that the methodology can be used to extract fundamental performance characteristics from a solar collector. In the first case, a serpentine collector was compared against a header riser collector using the same mass flow rate. It was found that the header riser was less efficient, with a 34% increase in the overall loss coefficient. The experimental results were compared with commonly used empirical models and showed a close agreement. In the second case, the impact on performance of using a polycarbonate cover is presented. The results show that the optical efficiency of the collector is reduced by 12% when using a cover, however, because the loss coefficient is reduced by 53%, the covered collector performs better when there is a large temperature difference between the absorber and the ambient. The third case investigates the combined performance of a PVT collector, that produces both heat and electricity from a single device. By placing photovoltaic (PV) laminates on top of the serpentine absorber, the thermal efficiency is reduced by 15%. When electricity is generated by laminates, the thermal efficiency is reduced by a further 3.5%, this drop in thermal efficiency is a result of the incident radiation producing electricity before reaching the thermal absorber. The combined efficiency of the PVT collectors was compared at controlled inlet temperatures. The serpentine design had the highest combined efficiency of 61% with 8% electricity at the lowest inlet temperature (21°C). The dominant form of loss in the PVT system is temperature driven, as the thermal efficiency decreases, electricity generation makes up a larger percentage of the combined output. This study highlights the potential for manufacturers of bespoke thermal absorbers and PV devices to combine their products into a single PVT device that could achieve improved efficiency over a given roof area.

Abstract

Fusion energy, based on the use of broadly available inexhaustible resources as lithium and deuterium and with minimal impact to the environment, aims at a change in the energy supply paradigm: instead of its current dependence on natural resources and environmental impact, energy would become a technology-dependent resource with unlimited adaptive availability and whose unit cost should decrease as technology progresses. This article intends to give a picture of where fusion research stands today and the perspectives: the achievements, the difficulties, the current status, marked by the construction of the ITER experiment which will demonstrate the scientific feasibility of fusion power, and the perspectives toward the first demonstration power plant, DEMO, which, according to the European Roadmap, could start the construction shortly after the full power experiments in ITER (<2030) and be in full operation, generating net electricity into the grid, by 2050.

Abstract

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Calculation and Design in Engineering (RIMNI) contributes to the spread of theoretical advances and practical applications of numerical methods in engineering and other applied sciences. RIMNI publishes articles written in Spanish, Portuguese and English. The scope of the journal includes mathematical and numerical models of engineering problems, development and application of numerical methods, advances in software, computer design innovations, educational aspects of numerical methods, etc. RIMNI is an essential source of information for scientifics and engineers in numerical methods theory and applications. RIMNI contributes to the interdisciplinar exchange and thus shortens the distance between theoretical developments and practical applications.

Desde 1985 la Revista Internacional de Métodos Numéricos para Cálculo y Diseño en Ingeniería (RIMNI) contribuye a la difusión en castellano, portugués e inglés de los desarrollos teóricos y aplicaciones prácticas de los métodos numéricos, tanto en relación con su utilidad como instrumentos de cálculo y análisis para el ingeniero y el científico, como en aspectos que inciden en las nuevas tecnologías de diseño y proyecto de producción y procesos en ingeniería. La revista abarca áreas diversas, tales como: modelos matemáticos y numéricos de problemas de ingeniería, desarrollo y aplicaciones de los métodos numéricos, nuevos avances en temas de software, innovaciones en el campo del diseño por computador, aspectos didácticos de los métodos numéricos, etc. La revista constituye una fuente de información imprescindible para ingenieros y científicos sobre innumerables temas relacionados con los métodos numéricos y sus aplicaciones, contribuyendo a promover la transferencia de conocimiento interdisciplinar y, por consiguiente, a acortar la distancia que existe entre los desarrollos teóricos y las aplicaciones concretas.

Abstract

An interview with Karen Spence, assistant director of Information Systems, Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI), United States Department of Energy, describes the major OSTI databases, repositories and scientific and technical information co-operation projects (especially on energy and environment).

Abstract

Eskilstuna has introduced energy and climate policies in most sectors, enterprise and planning. It thus offers an excellent study field. "br/""br/"Energy and climate policy is divided into two policy arenas: The arena of the municipality acting as a concern and the arena of the municipality acting as a stakeholder of energy initiatives towards the general public. The efficiency of the first is very high, due to an omnipresence of ‘sustainability thinking’. The total effect of the latter is, however, much larger, due to the size of the arena. "br/""br/"Principles of urban development are generally acknowledged as an important instrument for sustainability. Urban densification and urban connectivity to transport routes facilitated by public transport are the two main principles. "br/""br/"Policies of sustainability are of ‘second-order’ as compared to the economic driven changes of the urban system. A prime ‘first-order’ development is regional enlargement synonymous with increased transport. Second-order policies are modal split initiatives aiming at public rather than private transportation facilitated by infrastructure and infrastructure lead urban development. "br/" "br/"The largest amount of energy consumption is in the sectors of transport, households and industry. Potentials reduction of CO2 emissions vary: Transportation depends on fossil fuels, difficult to cope with, whereas energy consumption in households is composed by a number of energy sources, including an increasing amount of renewables operated by large district heating plants as well as by individual house owners’ initiatives. "br/""br/"Thus, national measures are efficiently introduced in the conversion of district heating into renewables as well as conversion of the heating of single family dwellings using heat pumps and solar cells. Designing incentives to reduce fossil fuels in transport remains the key challenge. "br/""br/"At municipal level the consumption of electricity is of special concern. Only about 25% of electricity it is possible to produce by local combined power and district heating plants. Some small additional power may be provided locally by e.g. solar cells. But for the remaining part consumers are dependent upon national grids, i.e. power produced by energy sources that are beyond the control of the municipality. Document type: Book

Abstract

The report reviews relations between urban structure (spatial structure + institutional structure) and four core themes of urban energy:"br/"• Urban planning and energy use in buildings (mainly residential buildings)"br/"• Industrial energy use and urban form"br/"• Spatial Planning, Urban Form and Transport Energy Consumption"br/"• Urban energy generation"br/""br/"The reports ends with a summary of potential measure and policies of spatial planning in each of the four themes. However, we highlight also that it is crucial to consider the wider perspective and include considerations of potential rebound effects on direct and indirect energy use."br Document type: Book

Abstract

Based on the case study (Deliverables 4.2) as well as the thematic (Deliverable 4.3) work, a list of 29 spatial planning measures and policies was elaborated. The measures can increase energy efficiency, reduce energy use or increasing the share of renewable energy in a city."br/""br/"In the main part of this report we analyse the application of these measures in"br/"each of the six PLEEC cities and suggest which areas the cities’ could work further on. In the final section of this report we draw some general conclusions based on WP4 work. We state four general questions (and some remarks to it) which cities should take into consideration when working on their Energy Efficiency Action Plans:"br/"(1) How can spatial planning reduce energy use in our cities?"br/"(2) How do different geographical, regional, cultural or political contexts influence options?"br/"(3) How can we measure and monitor its effects?"br/"(4) What is the scope of municipal action? Document type: Book

Abstract

The Estonian planning system allots the main responsibilities for planning activities to the local level, whereas the regional level (county) is rather weak. That implies a gap of cooperation on the regional level, leading to dispersed urban development in suburban municipalities and ongoing urban sprawl in the vicinity of Tartu. This development appears contrary to the concept of “low-density urbanised space” as formulated in the National Spatial Plan “Estonia 2030+” (NSP) as the central spatial development concept for Estonia and also to a compact and intensive city development as formulated in the Master Plan of Tartu."br/""br/"Since Tartu has no relevant big industries, the main employers are the municipality and the university, energy related challenges occur from transport and residential (district) heating. The modal split shows big differences between journeys within Tartu and journeys between Tartu and its vicinity. While the first shows a high share of public transport and walking, the latter includes a high share of car use, especially in work related travelling. This is closely related to the issue of ongoing urban sprawl and increasing car ownership. Although the Tartu City Transport Development Plan 2012-2020 points very clearly at the weaknesses in the transport system of Tartu, the plan is not addressing cross-border issues, like e.g. regional commuting."br/""br/"The highest share of emissions is allotted to energy production. In terms of energy sources Estonia is very much dependent on imports like oil and gas and the Estonian electricity production is to more than 90 % based on Estonian oil shale. Thus, efforts towards higher energy efficiency – at least on the national level – are rather driven by ambitions to decrease fuel dependency than merely efficiency objectives. That illustrates the need for a transition of the energy supply and generation system in Estonia from two forces: decreasing fuel dependency and a shift to an increasing use of renewable resources. Document type: Book

Abstract

Since industrialisation, Turku has been an important industrial town in Finland and still is. Today, after considerable restructuring of the industrial sector, most jobs (79 % in the city of Turku) are within services. Besides its economic base, Turku also is experiencing a change in the former prevailing urban sprawl, characterising urban development since the 1950s. The city is densifying and promoting sustainable urban develop-ment, though at a regional scale with several growth centres. Its future development is envisioned in the “Structure model 2035”, focusing on more compact urban development along public transport corridors. From the case report three issues arise which might be of considerable interest in a broader context of the PLEEC project:"br/""br/"1. Working with energy efficient regional urban structure (e.g. regarding urban sprawl) in a low density country and on a voluntary cooperative basis"br/"2. Keeping the industrial base in a city facing deindustrialisation and aiming for energy efficiency"br/"3. Decentralisation of energy supply enables new forms of settlements with the example of Skanssi Document type: Book