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Abstract In this paper, the Yangtze River Delta city group for the study, first, using data envelopment analysis estimates the energy efficiency of the city, and found that the Yangtze River Delta city group showing lower energy efficiency overall. Within the urban agglomeration 26 prefecture-level cities, Zhoushan is the only one achieving relatively effective energy efficiency. The spatial heterogeneity of energy efficiency in the urban agglomeration in the Yangtze River Delta is then measured using the Moran's I index (including local), confirming the existence of low-energy efficiency clusters centered around Hefei and clusters of high-energy agglomeration centers centered around Hangzhou. Then the spatial error model is used to test the various factors that affect the energy efficiency of the urban agglomeration in the Yangtze River Delta based on the circumvention of spatial heterogeneity. The conclusion shows that there is a positive correlation between industrial structure, investment, scale, foreign trade and energy efficiency. Government influence and system is negatively related to energy efficiency. Finally, based on the conclusion, this paper puts forward the policy suggestion of promoting the energy efficiency of the urban agglomeration in the Yangtze River Delta. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The paper presents the operation mode of a ventilation chimney placed in a historical building through the use of Design Builder, a modeling and dynamical simulation software. The aim is to verify the improvement of the comfort level and energy efficiency of the simulated environments through the usage of the duct as a passive ventilation system. The method adopted to intervene in a complex system, such as that represented by historic buildings, is to enhance the preexisting architectural values through their conversion into devices able to improve the performance of the building in terms of CO 2 and energy consumption reduction. The case study is Palazzo Bruni-Riga, a valuable building located in the historic center of L’Aquila. The building has a double ventilation duct, probably also used as a light-pipe, in correspondence of two windowless rooms of similar dimensions. The dynamical simulations presented concern the analysis of the passive ventilation duct and its effects on the thermo-hygrometric well-being of the modeled rooms. The goal of this paper and this research in general, is that the wise use of such devices installed in times when there were no air conditioning systems, allows you to better use the ventilation chimneys, and have the maximum thermal indoor comfort, with the minimum effort and use of mechanical systems. Through the simulations it was possible to verify that through the use of the ventilation chimney, it is possible to have the indoor comfort conditions, by checking the Fanger indices for the data obtained from the simulations carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While technology advancements are increasingly improving the energy efficiency of buildings, occupant behavior remains a critical factor in ensuring the effectiveness of such enhancements. To this end, numerous eco-feedback systems have been developed to reduce building energy use through adjusting occupants’ behaviors. The information represented in an eco-feedback system affects the users’ engagement, motivation, and interpretation. In this paper, we introduce a new information representation method in which a building information model (BIM) is integrated with energy use information to enhance visual representation of energy use. The BIM-integrated energy visualization approach developed in this paper allows users to visualize energy consumption values of each building room through a color-coding scheme in an as-built BIM. Colors correspond to the levels of energy consumption in individual rooms compared to other rooms in a building, which enables a visually intuitive normative comparison for building eco-feedback systems. This representation may lead to increased user engagement in and improved interpretation of eco-feedback systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we test the hypothesis of convergence in China’s regional energy efficiency in agriculture over a time period that ranges from 1995 to 2014. The potential convergence is analysed by two different methodologies in this paper. Firstly, the output value of the agriculture energy consumption per unit is tested and the sigma-convergence is presented by means of standard deviation (SD). Secondly, the widely-used Barro-type regressions indicate that the unconditional beta-convergence exists during the entire period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a real-time certification system using Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to apply near-realtime data for measuring indoor comfort. We make use of the parameters of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), which is a building standard and certification system used across the world. These certifications basically use static values, for example, energy efficiency of electricity, water, and gas usage, while IoT technologies are provided with near-real-time values. The proposed certification system has the potential to provide information on a home's current status, for instance, age deterioration. This paper describes means of collecting real-time data using IoT technologies and provides results regarding how the system provides useful information to residents for maintaining indoor comfort. To test the system's applicability, we utilized data collected by two household types for one month. The results indicate the difference between static and dynamic data using the certification system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Managing thermal comfort, in both hot and cold climates, critically influences energy use in homes [1-4]. For low income households, who commonly live in thermally poor housing stock, maintaining thermal comfort can be costly relative to household income, leading to trade-offs between comfort, energy use and affordability. Comfort as a concept has been explored from many vantages, including as a physiological need [5,6]; a parameter for healthy housing [7]; as an energy efficiency building standard [4,8] and a cultural construct [9,10]. Yet, there is little research available that provides detailed insight into the relationship between thermal comfort and energy efficiency in existing housing stock or about the impact of support programs on these key indicators. This paper reviews measures of household thermal comfort as they relate to energy efficiency assessments in a project, Get Bill Smart (GBS), that worked with low income households in Tasmania, Australia. Thermal comfort and energy use data was collected over 15 months from 51 households, a sub-set of the 510 households participating overall. Longitudinal interviews and housing observations were also conducted. New thermal comfort and energy efficiency indicators were developed from this data. This paper demonstrates the application of these indicators by providing examples of findings in GBS. Suggestions are made for the refinement of measures discussed for use in future applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents a multi-method (interviews, cost-benefit analysis, technical monitoring) longitudinal evaluation of ten social housing dwellings in Horsham (Victoria, Australia), including four low-energy and six control houses. Occupants of the low-energy houses purchased 45-62% less electricity, had lower utility bills resulting in financial savings of $1,050/year, had improved thermal comfort, health and social outcomes. However, there were several challenges for the providing government department and tenants, including supporting tenants to use certain sustainability features of the house as designed. The paper concludes by providing discussion to help guide similar projects in the future to more sustainable outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A building design is typically created by a collaboration of professionals. Whilst the advent of BIM tools makes the assessment of the performance of an iterative design possible, these tools are not commonly used, due to traditional practice prevailing, technical limitations including differing data formats, and industry resistance to innovation. Timely consistent feedback throughout the design process, as major design decisions are made, could enable the enhancement of energy efficiency. However, current design guidelines are typically not in digital rule form, preventing the automated checking and validation of developing design models. Furthermore, architectural design tools have poor connections to thermal and environmental analysis software, which is exacerbated by a lack of knowledge of the data requirements of other disciplines both upstream and downstream. This paper explores the potential for embedding parameters within architectural model files to enable the enhancement of energy efficiency at the design stage and through the design process. It explores the architectural to energy analysis data exchanges, and demonstrates the way in which energy efficiency parameters can be embedded within model files to inform decision making at the conceptual design stage. The paper found that by using tools readily available, it is possible to add value during the design process through the use of BIM, with improved design outcomes as the result. The need to develop new workflows between the disciplines as a result of this different approach was highlighted. This enhanced practice is more responsive and can support better communication within project teams through providing timely information and feedback, providing analysis before optimisation for energy efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper explores energy use and behaviour of older urban Australians by identifying the key factors that shape their energy demand. As Australia is facing an aging population, understanding what structural and behavioural factors can help improve residential energy efficiency is key for developing effective policy initiatives to support the successful management of household energy costs, wellbeing and carbon emissions within this population. This paper reports on survey and electricity meter data collected for an energy efficiency program involving 1,647 older householders (aged 60 and above) living within the Brisbane City Council Local Government Area. The program was funded by the Australian Government Low-Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP) and ran from November 2013 to February 2015. Brisbane is Australia’s third largest city and has a subtropical climate, with warm or hot weather for most of the year. The findings show that electricity consumption within the study’s sample population was influenced by both structural and demographic factors. These factors include range of energy sources used, number of bedrooms and number of people living in the household, as well as type of appliances used in the home. In terms of appliance use, high-energy consuming appliances such as water heating and space cooling systems, clothes-dryers and refrigerators were important predictors of energy consumption. Over two-thirds of the study participants were relying on cooling systems for thermal comfort, and such systems were typically not being used in an energy efficient way. The use of high-energy demand heating and cooling systems can account for around 40% of energy consumption in Australian households, and has a large impact on electricity peak demand. With the penetration of air-conditioning in seniors’ home expected to increase over time, it is important to better understand the range of low and high-energy demand practices that are currently employed by older Australians to achieve thermal comfort at home. Designing strategies that minimise the need for high-energy demand cooling practices will be key for managing household energy costs and wellbeing within this target audience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The collection of detailed data for undertaking research into the area of residential energy efficiency has become common and yet many pitfalls and issues can arise during the collection process that can either result in loss of data, incorrect data or no data at all. The LIEEP program saw many projects collecting data in the field or from third parties that was crucial in the evaluation of the effectiveness of their project. However, many suffered from data issues that then lead to difficulties at the analysis stage of their project. This paper explores various issues around data collection, particularly focusing on data that is used for assessing the energy efficiency performance of residential dwellings. It will draw upon the experiences from one LIEEP project that collected a large amount of data including electricity and gas consumption data, temperature data, energy utility data and survey data. Determining what to collect, how to collect, maintenance and monitoring of equipment and the final storage and analysis of data will be discussed. Finally, the paper will look at how the data collected can be used. This includes linking the various data sets, visualising the data and providing analysis of the data back to clients and volunteer households themselves. Collection of data is critical to many research projects, but issues with data are almost inevitable. Trying to minimise these issues through careful planning and collection of data should also be a critical part of the research agenda. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]