scholarly journals Energy Efficiency of a Greenhouse for the Conservation of Forestry Biodiversity

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alvaro Marucci ◽  
Maurizio Carlini ◽  
Sonia Castellucci ◽  
Andrea Cappuccini
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Forest Biodiversity ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Material Systems ◽  
Microclimatic Conditions ◽  
Two Phases ◽  
Cover Material ◽  
Vegetable Material

Forest biodiversity conservation is one of the most interesting and crucial problems in forestry world. Currently, the conservation methods are based on two phases: the conservation of seeds at low temperatures and the multiplication of vegetable material. This latter operation can be successfully developed in properly designed greenhouses. The aim of this paper is to define a type of greenhouse which is particularly suitable for plant material propagation in order to preserve forest biodiversity in the area of the Central Italy. Some general parameters were first defined for a correct planning of the structure, such as: the shape of the section, volume, cover material, systems for heating and cooling, and those for the control of the internal microclimate parameters (light, air temperature, and relative humidity). Considering the construction characteristics and the climatic conditions of the place, the internal microclimatic conditions have been later determined by the useful implementation in TRNSYS in order to analyse the energy efficiency of the greenhouse.

Seasonal variations of Fo, Fm, and Fv/Fm in an epiphytic population of the lichen Punctelia subrudecta (Nyl.) Krog

2007 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 555-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurence BARUFFO ◽  
Mauro TRETIACH
Keyword(s):  
Central Italy ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Light Regime ◽  
Structural Adaptation ◽  
Epiphytic Lichen ◽  
Rapid Changes ◽  
Microclimatic Conditions

Abstract:Chlorophyll a fluorescence was measured every three months from December 2003 to December 2004 in ten, randomly selected thalli of the epiphytic lichen Punctelia subrudecta (Nyl.) Krog occurring in a deciduous, thermophilous downy oak wood in southern Tuscany (central Italy). In situ measurements were carried out with a photosynthesis yield analyser Mini-PAM (Walz, Effeltrich, Germany) on the same measuring points of 30-minute dark-adapted, fully hydrated thalli. The results show a remarkable seasonal change in Fo, Fm, and Fv/Fm, probably caused by a long-term physiological-structural adaptation of the photobiont to the gradual modification of the climatic conditions of each measurement period and the light regime of the understorey. However, P. subrudecta is also sensitive to rapid changes in microclimatic conditions as the PSII functionality is affected by the light regime of the days preceding the field measurements. Some critical observations on the statistical analysis of chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters are also made.

scholarly journals Sustainable Design Alternatives and Energy Efficiency for Public Rental Housing in Korea

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (20) ◽  
pp. 8456
Author(s):  
So-Young Lee ◽  
Myoung-Won Oh
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Rental Housing ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Energy Costs ◽  
Alternative Housing ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Design Alternatives ◽  
Public Rental Housing ◽  
Window Area ◽  
Heating Loads

The orientation and shape of a building can influence energy efficiency in both heating and cooling mechanisms. Given the climatic conditions of Korea, many people are concerned about housing orientation and prefer south-oriented locations. As such, many housing complexes consist of a series of long narrow units that are south-facing. The purpose of this study is to investigate design alternatives for the layout of a building complex, size of households, width to depth ratios of floorplans, and design and type of façade; to examine energy efficiency using energy simulation programs; and to suggest diverse design alternatives for public rental housing, as well as energy-efficient options. The alternative housing units, which are more square-shaped than the typical long and rectangular type, resulted in higher energy costs. Simulation results show that as the solar radiation load increases or the window area increases due to plan alteration, there is simultaneously a significant increase and decrease in the cooling and heating loads, respectively. The performance of the suggested layout alteration greatly increased the heating load and slightly decreased the cooling load with similar total energy costs.

scholarly journals Integrated economic and environmental building classification and optimal seismic vulnerability/energy efficiency retrofitting

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martina Caruso ◽  
Rui Pinho ◽  
Federica Bianchi ◽  
Francesco Cavalieri ◽  
Maria Teresa Lemmo
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Seismic Hazard ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Classification System ◽  
Seismic Vulnerability ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Economic Losses ◽  
Operational Energy

AbstractA life cycle framework for a new integrated classification system for buildings and the identification of renovation strategies that lead to an optimal balance between reduction of seismic vulnerability and increase of energy efficiency, considering both economic losses and environmental impacts, is discussed through a parametric application to an exemplificative case-study building. Such framework accounts for the economic and environmental contributions of initial construction, operational energy consumption, earthquake-induced damage repair activities, retrofitting interventions, and demolition. One-off and annual monetary expenses and environmental impacts through the building life cycle are suggested as meaningful performance metrics to develop an integrated classification system for buildings and to identify the optimal renovation strategy leading to a combined reduction of economic and environmental impacts, depending on the climatic conditions and the seismic hazard at the site of interest. The illustrative application of the framework to an existing school building is then carried out, investigating alternative retrofitting solutions, including either sole structural retrofitting options or sole energy refurbishments, as well as integrated strategies that target both objectives, with a view to demonstrate its practicality and to explore its ensuing results. The influence of seismic hazard and climatic conditions is quantitatively investigated, by assuming the building to be located into different geographic locations.

scholarly journals Review of Intelligent Control Systems for Natural Ventilation as Passive Cooling Strategy for UK Buildings and Similar Climatic Conditions

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (15) ◽  
pp. 4388
Author(s):  
Esmail Mahmoudi Saber ◽  
Issa Chaer ◽  
Aaron Gillich ◽  
Bukola Grace Ekpeti
Keyword(s):  
Control Systems ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Integrated Control ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Effective Control ◽  
Practical Implementation ◽  
Optimal Output ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Building Cooling

Natural ventilation is gaining more attention from architects and engineers as an alternative way of cooling and ventilating indoor spaces. Based on building types, it could save between 13 and 40% of the building cooling energy use. However, this needs to be implemented and operated with a well-designed and integrated control system to avoid triggering discomfort for occupants. This paper seeks to review, discuss, and contribute to existing knowledge on the application of control systems and optimisation theories of naturally ventilated buildings to produce the best performance. The study finally presents an outstanding theoretical context and practical implementation for researchers seeking to explore the use of intelligent controls for optimal output in the pursuit to help solve intricate control problems in the building industry and suggests advanced control systems such as fuzzy logic control as an effective control strategy for an integrated control of ventilation, heating and cooling systems.

scholarly journals Sustainability of sunflower cultivation for biodiesel production in central Italy according to the Renewable Energy Directive methodology

2014 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele Duca ◽  
Giuseppe Toscano ◽  
Ester Foppa Pedretti ◽  
Giovanni Riva
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Biodiesel Production ◽  
European Level ◽  
Minimum Threshold ◽  
Irrigated Crops ◽  
Standard Value ◽  
Points Of View ◽  
Definition Of

The use of renewable energies as alternative to fossil fuels has value from different points of view and has effects at environmental, social and economic level. These aspects are often connected to each other and together define the overall sustainability of bioenergy. At European level, the Directive 2009/28/EC gives the basic criteria for the estimation of sustainability of biofuels and indicates a minimum threshold of 35% of greenhouse gas saving for a biofuel in order to be considered sustainable. The Directive gives the possibility to identify standard regional values for the cultivation steps that could be utilized for the certification. This paper aims to give a contribution to the definition of these values considering the RED methodology applied to the sunflower cropped in central Italy which is characterized by a hilly landscape and not-irrigated crops. To determine input and output of sunflower cultivation in the central Italy, the results of PROBIO project, carried out by the Authors, were used. The sustainability of biodiesel produced from sunflower grown in central Italy is variable and depends on the nitrogen input and seasonal climatic conditions that affect the yields. The greenhouse gases savings of the Italian chain is 40% in average, greater than the required 35% and would be possible to assign this value as standard to the biofuel chain <em>biodiesel from sunflower cultivated in central Italy</em>. Using an averaged regional standard value guards against the possibility of considering unsustainable harvesting in unfavourable years and seeing it overestimated in the favourable ones.

scholarly journals District Energy Systems: A Collaborative Exchange of Results on Planning, Operation and Modelling for Energy Efficiency

Proceedings ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (15) ◽  
pp. 1127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Loureiro ◽  
Miika Rämä ◽  
Raymond Sterling ◽  
Marco Cozzini ◽  
Meritxell Vinyals ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
District Heating ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Collaborative Activity ◽  
District Energy ◽  
Heating And Cooling

Workshop organized by INDIGO project as a collaborative activity among EU funded projects in the area of District Heating and Cooling. The objective of the workshop was twofold: (1) to create a cluster of European funded projects working in the area of District Energy Systems; and (2) to create a networking opportunity in which to share experiences on the results and difficulties of the researches, and to identify synergies.

Acoustic Performance of Louvred Facades for Brisbane Domestic Airport: An Integrated Approach

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Butera ◽  
Keith Hewett
Keyword(s):  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Transmission Loss ◽  
Internal Noise ◽  
Building Design ◽  
Integrated Approach ◽  
External Noise ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Sustainable Building ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Airport Terminals

Maximising cross ventilation is a low energy method of naturally ventilating and providing heating and cooling to deep plan spaces. Significant reduction in the emission of greenhouse gases can be achieved through minimising the use of mechanical systems in regions with climatic conditions that support the use of natural ventilation. Arup has provided input into the design of a louvered facade for the control of external noise for Brisbane Domestic Airport. A full scale prototype facade was constructed and noise transmission loss measurements were undertaken. The results indicate that significant noise reduction can be achieved to enable compliance with the internal noise limits for airport terminals, whilst using natural ventilation. The findings from this research will directly benefit building designers and innovators in the pursuit of achieving sustainable building design.

scholarly journals Living mulch strategy for organic cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.) production in central and southern Italy

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Canali ◽  
Gabriele Campanelli ◽  
Corrado Ciaccia ◽  
Mariangela Diacono ◽  
Fabrizio Leteo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Brassica Oleracea ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Southern Italy ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
F1 Hybrid ◽  
Agronomic Practices ◽  
Burr Medic ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Sustainable Agricultural Systems

In sustainable agricultural systems, intercropping using living mulches (LM) provides many beneficial ecosystem services. The objective of these two-year field experiments was to study the suitability of different LM options of burr medic (<em>Medicago polymorpha</em> L. var. <em>anglona</em>) for organic cauliflower (<em>Brassica oleracea</em> L.) cultivation in two sites under Mediterranean conditions. In central Italy (Experiment 1) contemporary and delayed (to crop) sowings of LM were compared with a no-cover crop treatment, contrasting two local cauliflower cultivars and a F1 Hybrid. In southern Italy (Experiment 2) the sustainability of systems combining LM (anticipated and contemporary sowing compared with no-cover) and organic fertilisation strategies was assessed. The aboveground biomasses dry weights of cauliflower crop (heads and residues), burr medic and weeds were separately determined. Results suggested that in Experiment 1 the LM was not able to smother weeds establishment and growth, as a consequence of early sowing, while cauliflower yield was reduced. Moreover, the genotypes behaviour was greatly influenced by the LM sowing times. In Experiment 2, irrespective of the agronomic practices applied, climatic conditions notably influenced cauliflower cultivation and also reduced the mean yield. Therefore, the recorded differences between the two experimental sites highlighted the need to tailor the LM strategies to the different environmental conditions.

scholarly journals ENERGY EFFICIENCY IN RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, LESS STRAIGHT FORWARD THEN PRESUMED

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Hens
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Net Zero ◽  
Energy Conserving ◽  
New Construction

Since the 1990s, the successive EU directives and related national or regional legislations require new construction and retrofits to be as much as possible energy-efficient. Several measures that should stepwise minimize the primary energy use for heating and cooling have become mandated as requirement. However, in reality, related predicted savings are not seen in practice. Two effects are responsible for that. The first one refers to dweller habits, which are more energy-conserving than the calculation tools presume. In fact, while in non-energy-efficient ones, habits on average result in up to a 50% lower end energy use for heating than predicted. That percentage drops to zero or it even turns negative in extremely energy-efficient residences. The second effect refers to problems with low-voltage distribution grids not designed to transport the peaks in electricity whensunny in summer. Through that, a part of converters has to be uncoupled now and then, which means less renewable electricity. This is illustrated by examples that in theory should be net-zero buildings due to the measures applied and the presence of enough photovoltaic cells (PV) on each roof. We can conclude that mandating extreme energy efficiency far beyond the present total optimum value for residential buildings looks questionable as a policy. However, despite that, governments and administrations still seem to require even more extreme measurements regarding energy efficiency.

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