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High energy consumption problem has become increasingly acute human needs. Domestic heating in winter involves considerable expenses, so the idea of energy conservation and the need to implement reliable and innovative solutions in the field of energy in constructions emerged. Given these constrains, a judicious approach of the built environment is the study of energy consumption starting from the concept phase. This paper presents a parametric study regarding impact on energy consumption for different factors and the weighing associated. The analysis has been performed using an energy simulation program, which is able to provide a complex analysis of the thermal behavior of the building for different cases. The thermal behavior of a building should be the result of a multi-criteria optimization, considering both thermal comfort and energy savings. The purpose was to determine for each climatic zone when it is ineffective to increase the thermal resistance of the envelope element and the gain in energy economy begins to be insignificant. From these results we have chosen the optimal case for certain characteristics of glazed and opaque elements analyzing which is the best orientation for this case, considering both, heating and cooling load. The study indicated an optimal configuration of the envelope elements and optimal orientation of the building in order to reach the passive house level, demonstrating the necessity of such a step from the design phase.

Most developing countries are facing energy shortage and this impacts the social and economic development. Reliable electrical networks are absolutely necessary for energy supply. Unfortunately, the energy access has become a major problem in developing countries. When electricity is available, in large cities for instance, the grid is not reliable. Additionally, power cuts, power interruptions and electricity rationing are frequent, causing social tensions. This work focuses on a solution for lighting during electricity rationing. The use of a dual-voltage LED lamp can be an alternative solution to expensive kerosene and candles. A dual-voltage LED lamp can give the same light output at 240 VAC, 20 VAC or 24 VDC. Here is proposed a design of a small electrical grid encompassing dual voltage lamps and energy storage. This solution can be implemented in single family homes and in renewable energy mini-grids, and as well as in whole cities. Successful trials have been carried out at the Open University and in Cambridge, UK and results are presented in this paper.

The Sassi of Matera are a unique example in the world of rock settlements, developed from natural caves carved into the rock and molded into increasingly complex structures inside two large natural amphitheaters. Research focuses on the compatibility of the energy efficiency measures applied in Sassi buildings with the recent MiBACT guidelines on “Energy efficiency improvements in cultural heritage” and AiCARR guidelines on “Energy efficiency of historical buildings”. The paper aims to analyze energy and environmental performance of different building typologies and monuments of the Sassi site.

Phase Change Materials (PCMs) have the ability to absorb and release thermal energy, in the form of latent heat, during the melting or solidifying processes respectively. Thus, they may be used as additives in the production of thermally efficient composite building materials, such as plasters. This paper focuses on the design and production of PCM-enhanced lime plasters with significantly low thermal conductivity and increased specific heat capacity. The aforementioned plasters are appropriate for application in southern European climatic conditions. Due to their compatibility with traditional substrate materials, they may also be used for the renovation and retrofitting of existing structures. 97 539 545

In recent years, Kazakhstan has a growing interest in sustainable and energy effective combined supply for decentralized energy consumers. This is due to the development of the regions and the desire of consumers to obtain modern energy services. This paper presents a comparative analysis of the energy efficiency of a combined energy autonomous system constructed on the basis of cogeneration (CHP) and trigeneration (TG) (involving low-potential heat of the earth (LPH)) low and domestic size power plants. Method of the research is mathematical modeling and simulation of combined heating, cooling and power supplying in the system that combines a thermodynamic cycle in the internal combustion engine (ICE) and a geothermal heat pump with direct mechanical drive compressors (DMGHP). Parametric adjustment and calibration of mathematical models are implemented on the basis of experimental research on a prototype for a trigeneration plant. The research has established that the application of cogeneration plants for autonomous objects in extreme continental climate in Kazakhstan with a large seasonal variation in outdoor temperatures are significantly inferior to the energy efficiency of trigeneration plants. Thus, if the average annual energy efficiency of cogeneration systems based on internal combustion engines does not exceed 50–60%, and the usage of TGP, which includes (DMGHP), allows to reduce the consumption of fossil fuel 3–4 times by involving source of renewable energy low-potential heat of the earth. It should be noted, that LPH is available in all regions of Kazakhstan and practically does not depend from climate conditions.

European directives are pushing EU member states to promote energy retrofits of their building stocks. Nevertheless, building renovation stagnates due to many issues, including financial, informational, behavioral, educational and other challenges. All of these increase for the public housing sector, where specific problems such as fuel poverty and social exclusion sum up to common problems such as the tenant-landlord dilemma. On the other hand, public housing represents an important asset for local governments, both in terms of economic and social value. By improving the quality of life and the economic resilience of inhabitant of public housing, local authorities may obtain long-term returns for social inclusion, and citizens’ wellbeing. Following this perspective, the municipalities of Milan and Lisbon committed, within the larger framework of the EU funded Sharing Cities project, to promote the renovation of some pilot public housing estates. The design process, the objectives, the expected outcomes and the monitoring and assessment process are described in the paper, trying to highlight the potential benefit for tenants, local governments and, in the long run, for the whole society.

Every year governments of the European Member States invest several billion Euros in maintenance and upkeep of their schools. With 17% of non-residential buildings in the European Union being educational buildings, there is a substantial opportunity for setting examples of integrated refurbishment actions, which address functional and energy-related aspects in a joint view. Currently these potentials are not fully exploited. The reasons for the few numbers of truly holistic school refurbishment projects can be found in the limited budgets, the political and institutional framework conditions as well as the lack of innovative and holistic building refurbishment concepts. The assumption for research was that refurbishment in educational buildings focuses mostly on single measures in respect of maintenance and adaptation of the building structure. Energy efficiency measures are only selectively considered and functional changes are rarely implemented in existing buildings. This paper summarizes the results of the research project SchulRen+ [5] that analyzed school buildings in an integrated approach: Considering structural, functional and energy-related aspects in a joint view – the project reveals high performance refurbishment actions that have the potential for the development of ‘Nearly Zero Energy’ or ‘Plus Energy’ buildings. Based on the example of the school building stock of the city of Vienna, a nationally funded project analyzed these constraints with the goal of providing workable solutions for integrated school refurbishments. In an interdisciplinary approach, stakeholders from the city municipality, schools as well as building professionals provided input for the development of a methodology for replicable energy- and functionally optimized school refurbishment concepts. Structural, functional and energy relevant framework conditions were summarized and synergetic potentials of comprehensive school refurbishments were highlighted. Following the requirements of the stakeholders, different scenarios (light, intermediate, advanced) were subsequently tested in terms of functionality, energy efficiency and life cycle costs. For one case study a typical end of 19 th century building was selected - similar building types can be found across central Europe. It demonstrated the required changes in prospective school refurbishment projects. The emphasis was on the energetic optimization in synergy with the optimization of the functional room concepts in order to give justice to the changed requirements in new teaching types and methods. The case study resulted in concrete recommendations for decision support and showed how portfolio management and a holistic refurbishment approach could be undertaken for larger educational building stocks.