India and alternative sources of energy – a review

India should rely on its abundant renewable energy sources to not only facilitate steady and high economic growth but also enable it to meet its commitment to reduce pollution up to 35% less than the 2005 level. On this platform It can expect financial and technological support from the world community.     

Enhanced air flow modelling for AccuRate – A nationwide house energy rating tool in Australia

In this study, an improved multi-zone air flow model has been developed and implemented to replace the existing large opening air flow model MIX2 used in AccuRate's simulation engine. Good agreements have been obtained between the results predicted by the new air flow model and those predicted by analytical solutions for single opening and two-opening cases. A cross-check between MIX2 and the new model has also been carried out. It is shown that the new AccuRate engine converges much better compared to the existing engine with MIX2. In addition to the improved modelling results due to better convergence, the implementation of mass balance with variable density further enhances the performance of the new AccuRate engine which improves the calculation accuracy in modelling natural ventilation and its cooling potential.     

Participatory game prototyping – balancing domain content and playability in a serious game design for the energy transition

Abstract

Communication designers have historically been accused of neglecting end-user perspectives, believing designers are experts at creating inspired designs. Codesign has been applied to many design fields, however developing methods for engaging end-users have had little traction in communication design practice. In an era of end-user engagement, communication designers are left wondering how and when to include end-users in the design process and if codesign offers any benefits to project outcomes. This study trialled codesign workshops across two communication design case studies. Both studies involved non-profit contexts where designers and staff co-created communication design strategies, one for sustainable cleaning in childcare centres and the other for asthma management and awareness. The findings reveal that structured, hands-on generative toolkits conducted in small groups, sparked conversation and prompted innovative ideas whereas evaluating ideas with ranking toolkits blocked dialogue and hindered idea progression. Evaluation tooolkits based on ranking ideas created unexpected barriers to engagement, as end-users disengaged from the codesign process. I argue codesign can benefit communication design when structured hands-on generative toolkits simulate a perceived familiar environment, creating a conversational forum for ideas to flow while participants enjoy creating things with their hands.     

TOBUS — a European diagnosis and decision-making tool for office building upgrading

The TOBUS (a decision-making tool for selecting office building upgrading solutions) methodology and software have been developed as a result of a 2-year European research project, involving eight European institutions, in the frame of the JOULE III programme of the European Commission (EC), Directorate General XII. A structured diagnosis scheme enables architects and engineers to simultaneously handle the entire complex process of office building refurbishment or retrofit with respect to deterioration, functional obsolescence of building services, energy consumption and indoor environmental quality. The software tool can then be used to define the most appropriate and cost-effective actions, to elaborate consistent refurbishment scenarios and calculate a reasonable investment budget in the early stages of a refurbishment project. This paper provides an overview of the work performed in TOBUS and an overview of the methodology and final deliverables of the project.     

More heat than light? Renewable energy policy and EU–China solar energy relations

ABSTRACT

This paper explores recent developments in EU–China relations in the renewable energy sector, in the context of several recent high-profile trade conflicts. Our key findings are that both trade and investment from China into the EU increased markedly in the years up to 2011, but have fallen since then, most notably for trade. While trade tensions explain some of this fall, it seems more related to fundamental changes in the EU market and a rising realisation that China’s domestic market is key to the sector’s long-term development. The destination and source of Chinese investments in the EU are highly concentrated, with Germany the destination for half of investments and two Chinese provinces –Jiangsu and Zhejiang – making up 65% of the source of funds. Most of the companies investing are small, commercially oriented enterprises, indicating that market-seeking is their key objective, with strategic assets apparently less important.     

Genetic algorithms based optimization of artificial neural network architecture for buildings’ indoor discomfort and energy consumption prediction

Growing concerns about energy consumption reduction and comfort improvement inside buildings make it more and more necessary to be able to predict with fine precision building’s heating loads and indoor discomfort. This article proposes a method based on genetic algorithms (GAs) to optimize the architecture, training parameters and inputs of an artificial neural network (ANN). The ANN is doomed to predict energy consumption and indoor discomfort in future work on the development of an on-line method for control setting optimization. Simple and advanced controllers were used in this study: ON-OFF, PID and fuzzy controllers. Validation of the optimized ANN showed good prediction accuracy, as regression coefficients R ² for consumption and discomfort were respectively greater than 0.77 and 0.84 for the three tested controllers. Various prediction “distances” and ANN training data quantities were tested. Conclusion is that prediction at a 2-hour “distance” and a 3-day quantity of data are the best tested optimization conditions.     

CyDER – an FMI-based co-simulation platform for distributed energy resources

The increased integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) is bringing a number of challenges to the power grid. These include reverse power flows in distribution systems and potentially transmission systems and grid stability. So far, specialized tools have been developed to capture some of the impact of DERs at the distribution level. However, distribution system operators lack visibility into the overall system conditions. Furthermore, the impact of increasing DERs is not limited to the distribution level but also influences the transmission grid. To support the planning and operation of the grid, we developed a co-simulation platform called CyDER (A Cyber Physical Co-simulation Platform for Distributed Energy Resources in Smart Grids) that integrates various domain-specific simulation tools. CyDER is based on the functional mock-up interface standard. This paper gives an overview of CyDER and demonstrates its use based on two applications.     

Urban water management strategies based on a total urban water cycle model and energy aspects – Case study for Tel Aviv

Global change pressures such as climate change, water scarcity, population growth, full urbanisation of catchments and rising energy costs may increasingly affect the urban water system of Tel Aviv. These challenges formed the incentive for a multidisciplinary Learning Alliance of water sector institutions to embark on a process to identify ways to improve sustainability of the city's water system. Sustainability indicators were identified and a whole-of-system water balance model (AquaCycle) was used to score the indicators for future scenarios and strategies. Strategies included rainwater harvesting, stormwater use, permeable pavements, and wastewater reuse. The effect of the strategies on total water imported into the city was a reduction of 10% by rainwater harvesting and 32% by wastewater reuse at cluster scale. The latter strategy reduced energy consumption from 2.89 kWh per m³ of volume of water used (import + reuse) in the current situation to 2.45 kWh per m³.     

Housing indicators in europe,a tool for housing research and housing policy?

Announcement

Housing indicators in europe, a tool for housing research and housing policy?     

The bioscope system—testing and validating a novel sensor for aqueous solutions

A novel device called the Bioscope System is investigated for feasibility as sensor for chemicals in aqueous solutions. Thereby a sample is examined by a pulsed voltage and electrical properties of that sample are measured. These electrical properties can be considered as a sum parameter of the sample in terms of conductivity and permittivity. It is demonstrated that the Bioscope System can indeed measure differences between different substances in aqueous solution and between different concentrations of the same substance in aqueous solution. A qualitative explanation is provided. Possible improvements of the system are suggested.     

Assessing integrated water management options for urban developments – Canberra case study

Urban water services in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are currently provided through conventional centralised systems, involving large-scale water distribution, wastewater collection, water and wastewater treatment. A study was conducted to assist Environment ACT in setting broad policies for future water services in Canberra. The current paper presents the outcomes of a study examining the effects of various water servicing options on water resources and the environment, for two townships in Canberra, one existing and one greenfield site. Three modelling tools were used to predict the effects of various alternative water servicing scenarios, including demand management options, rainwater tanks, greywater use, on-site detention tanks, gross pollutant traps, swales and ponds. The results show that potable water reductions are best achieved by demand management tools or a combination of greywater and rainwater use for existing suburbs, while third pipe systems are preferred for greenfield sites. For this specific climatic region and end use demands, modelling predicted increased water savings from raintanks compared to greywater systems alone, with raintanks providing the additional benefit of reduced peak stormwater flows at the allotment scale. Rainwater and stormwater reuse from stormwater ponds within the catchments was found to provide the highest reduction in nutrient discharge from the case study areas. Environment ACT amended planning controls to facilitate installation of raintanks and greywater systems, and commenced a Government funded rebate scheme for raintanks as a result of this study.     

Challenges for capturing and assessing initial embodied energy: a contractor’s perspective

Initial embodied energy includes energy use during material, transportation, and construction life cycle phases up to project practical completion. Contractors have an important role to play in reducing initial embodied energy levels due to their significant involvement in preconstruction and onsite construction activities. Following an extensive literature review a comprehensive framework was designed to highlight the significance of initial embodied energy levels relative to specific construction packages, activities and subcontractors. This framework was then applied to a new UK industrial warehouse project using a case study approach. Capturing information from a live project during the entire construction phase helped highlight the practical challenges inherent when capturing and assessing initial embodied energy levels. A series of contractor current practices was reviewed to determine their compliance with the framework requirements. The findings revealed that the ground and upper floor, external slab and frame were the most significant construction packages in terms of embodied impacts. Many challenges embedded within the contractor’s current practices in terms of data detail, legibility, and terminology were also revealed. The framework provides a practical approach for initial embodied energy assessment which can readily be adopted by contractors to help highlight opportunities to increase efficiency.     

Just a talking shop? – Informal participatory spatial planning for implementing state wind energy targets in Germany

Many authors call for participatory approaches to spatial planning in dealing with land use conflicts on wind energy. In one region of Saxony, planning officials established an informal working group on wind energy to complement statutory spatial planning. In a qualitative case study, we found that the conflicting discursive frames in the participation process proved to be stable and were modified only marginally. The outcomes of the working group can be explained by the character of the initial frames and other contextual factors. Regarding planning practice, we suggest discussing contested planning issues in a wider context.     

Ozonation: a tool for removal of pharmaceuticals,contrast media and musk fragrances from wastewater?

A pilot plant for ozonation and UV-disinfection received effluent from a German municipal sewage treatment plant (STP) to test the removal of pharmaceuticals, iodinated X-ray contrast media (ICM) and musk fragrances from municipal wastewater. In the original STP effluent, 5 antibiotics (0.34-0.63 microgl(-1)), 5 betablockers (0.18-1.7 microgl(-1)), 4 antiphlogistics (0.10-1.3 microgl(-1)), 2 lipid regulator metabolites (0.12-0.13 microgl(-1)), the antiepileptic drug carbamazepine (2.1 microgl(-1)), 4 ICM (1.1-5.2 microgl(-1)), the natural estrogen estrone (0.015 microgl(-1)) and 2 musk fragrances (0.1-0.73 microgl(-1)) were detected by LC-electrospray tandem MS and/or GC/MS/MS. ICM, derived from radiological examinations, were present with the highest concentrations (diatrizoate: 5.7 microgl(-1), iopromide: 5.2 microgl(-1)). By applying 10-15 mgl(-1) ozone (contact time: 18 min), all the pharmaceuticals investigated as well as musk fragrances (HHCB, AHTN) and estrone were no longer detected. However, ICM (diatrizoate, iopamidol, iopromide and iomeprol) were still detected in appreciable concentrations. Even with a 15 mgl(-1) ozone dose, the ionic diatrizoate only exhibited removal efficiencies of not higher than 14%, while the non-ionic ICM were removed to a degree of higher than 80%. Advanced oxidation processes (O(3)/UV-low pressure mercury arc, O(3)/H(2)O(2)), which were non-optimized for wastewater treatment, did not lead significantly to a higher removal efficiency for the ICM than ozone alone.     

Analysis of Indian residences in terms of energy efficiency through energy education – a case study of Mumbai megacity

The portion of today's and future's world iniquities can be jettisoned if certain targeted innovations and adapted technology are introduced in the residential utilities system. One of these iniquities is energy spendthrift with all its negative consequences for the earth (e.g. depletion of finite energy sources and the subsequent climate change). This paper describes the results of an energy-thrift information and education project taking place in different residents of Mumbai city, India, which records more than 500 residences' routine energy-related behaviour and proves that this behaviour changes to a more energy-efficient one after the propagation of relevant information and the participation into the energy education projects. Namely, response percentages indicating the energy-efficient behaviour increased after project participation, while the ones indicating an energy-squandering behaviour decreased. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was statistically significant in all energy behaviour questions.     

The Stuttgart Region's Landscape Park – an efficient concept for the development of open spaces – an integrated approach to an attractive and resilient metropolitan landscape

This article focuses on the Stuttgart Region's Landscape Park concept, which is an instrument for the balanced development of open spaces within a densely populated region. The Stuttgart Region covers 5 counties and 179 independent municipalities over an area of 3650 square kilometres in the southwestern part of Germany. The competences of the Verband Region Stuttgart cover not only (mandatory) regional planning and spatial development, but also the construction and operation of the regional railway system, economic development and marketing.

In this context, the Landscape Park has been introduced to enhance the ecological quality and recreational value of open spaces. By now, it has become a successful instrument which helps local institutions to develop green infrastructure as an important locational factor.