Challenges of Tomorrowm——Fire Hazards of Systems Using Renewable Sources of Energy

Dramatic climate change, caused by over consumption of coal, oil and other traditional energy sources, as well as exhaustion of their reserves, imposed technological need to look for their substitution with new, renewable energy sources. The exploitation of these new forms of energy, solar, wind, earth and bio-fuels, initiated the development and application of new technologies, so far unused in practice. Rapid development and wide application of installations for use of renewable energy in many households and companies opened a whole new risk and danger in the fire protection field. With the purpose of introducing this problem to engineers in the area of fire protection, health and safety at work, this paper systematically presents various types of facilities for exploitation of renewable energy sources as well as potential dangers, risks and issues related to their safe operation.     

Germany＇s Energy Transition and the European Electricity Market： Mutually Beneficial？

Germany＇s energy system is in transition towards less nuclear, lower carbon emissions and more renewables. Notwithstanding widespread neglect of its European dimension, this Energiewende will further exacerbate current network fluctuations due to the significant increase in wind and solar power. Key data from Denmark show that this transition will soon bring the German national power system to its limits for absorbing the resulting intermittency, and increase the need for more cross-border power transfers. Yet network analysis of import/export data shows that Germany＇s position in the European power system is contrary to the Danish case. The need for a European solution for Germany＇s energy transition will therefore soon become evident. In order to establish the necessary infrastructure, the Energiewende needs hence to be guided by an economic approach designed to prevent further fractures in the Internal Electricity Market. Constructive negotiations with neighbouring countries on market designs and price signals will be important preconditions. The article emphasizes the still neglected European paradox of Germany＇s energy transition and presents working examples and possible solutions to uphold electricity supply in Europe＇s power house.     

Zero-Energy-Buildings in Different Climates： Design Strategies,Simulation and Prognosis METHOD for Energy Demand

The European Directive 2010/31 claims that by 2020 only （nearly-） ZEB （zero-energy-buildings） may be built. To reach this goal, it is pertinent for buildings to be energetically optimized first. The remaining energy demand must then be covered by on-site renewable energies （PV, geothermal, etc.）. With the area of use （energy demand） and the size of the building envelope/estate （renewable energy supply） in competition with each other, the maximum number of building stories will be most likely limited. For 15 different climatic locations worldwide, the energy demand of optimised office rooms has been simulated and compared with the possible renewable energy production on site. For every location, a good correlation has been found between the simulated energy demand and data like heating and cooling degree hours. Correspondent linear equations are given here. As another result, the maximum numbers of possible stories for ZEBS have been derived, being between 3 and 10 depending on the location.     

Analysis of Energy Saving Achievable through Solar Photovoltaic Systems on School Roofs： A Case of the City of Rome

Embracing renewable energy technology makes a lot of sense for the public sectors and schools as it meets the government sustainability goals and provides a financially viable means of achieving carbon savings while offering income potential. This study is aimed to quantify the achievable energy saving by spread use ofphotovoltaic systems on public building stock in the city of Rome. The installation of PV （photovoltaic） systems in the historic center depends on the feasibility conditions, generally more complex compared to the cases examined in the consolidated city, because they require compliance with the formal and aesthetic characteristics of the buildings, so the choice must be made between compatible components, which allow to minimize the transformation. The suburbs are characterized by large plane roofs in bad conditions and belonging to isolated buildings, so the useful surface, according to shading condition, offers a big potential for renewable technologies. The research provides an evaluation of maximum production of solar energy and the subsequent energy saving and reduction of greenhouse gasses, using parametric data, and an evaluation of the cost-effectiveness, with a rough calculation of return on investment.     

清洁而可持续的能源，布什政府认为可再生能源工艺能在可持续电力生产中起重要作用（Clean and Sustainable, The Bush Administration＇s View on the Role that Renewable Energy Technologies Can Play in Sustainable Electricity Generation, Darid

此文是美国能源部能源有效利用和可再生能源助理部长David k．Garman在2004年4月27日参议会一能源与自然资源委员会上证言的一部分。布什政府认为：利用可再生的自然能源能够帮助我们提供未来的能源需求，而对环境的冲击比常规能源小。能源部要求，在2005财政年度中可再生能源工艺预算总计3．748亿美元，