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Abstract: There is a large value in making Pulp and Paper mills more energy efficient. ABB has developed an energy assessment service where opportunities to save energy in the paper machine are identified. The energy assessment is done by quantifying energy flows, benchmarking energy users, data mining and steam sensitivity analysis and by experiments and additional measurements at the paper machine. Energy quantification helped in identifying main energy consumer, benchmarking was useful to assess the gap between operating performance and best performance whereas data mining and steam sensitivity analysis helped in studying the impact of key operating variables on performance of paper machines. After the assessment an action plan was presented to the mill for energy efficiency improvement together with a return on investment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The market for small Solar CombiSystems (SCSs) is penalized by its lack of common performance test method. The methodology proposed in this paper is based on the SCSPT procedure which tests each combisystem as a whole system on a semi-virtual test bench. Test results are used to identify a “Gray Box” model of the tested SCS, which includes an Artificial Neural Network. This model can then simulate the behavior of the system for any climate and any building. Results of all those simulations are finally used according to the FSC procedure in order to characterize the tested SCS performances with a simple curve. An experimental study of this methodology with two real SCS is presented in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents an approach to measure, characterize and simulate photometric performances of light transmission efficiency of an innovative transparent concrete panel for façades. The transparency was obtained by a texture of PMMA resin insertions in the fiber reinforced concrete panel. In the first part of the paper integrating sphere measurements were collected to derive spectral optical properties of the panel. The optical properties of a specimen were measured for incidence angles between normal and 60° and the spectral results were reported. The data collected during the measures were used to: create and validate a simplified Radiance model of the panel and to optimize simulation parameters to estimate properly the total internal reflections effects thought the PMMA resin insertions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Urban neighborhoods could represent an optimal scale for the implementation of innovative energy strategies. However, barriers at the economic, regulatory and administrative level are still present. In this framework, it is important to operate on three levels of the energy system: by reducing energy demand; by optimizing generation and management system, and by integrating local renewable energy sources. In recent years, as a result of an important agreement with the Italian Ministry of Environment, Lombardy Region has supported numerous measures for energy efficiency and renewable resources integration among its territory. The funding supported different actions such as improvements of the buildings envelope, substitution of old gas boilers for heat generation with more efficient components, integration of solar thermal systems in buildings, hydrogen and more sustainable mobility, and district heating plants, which present contribution concerns. About district heating the incentives were provided within two different calls: one aimed at the creation of plants and district heating networks and another for the extension of existing systems. Main aim of the research is to evaluate effects, effectiveness, pros and cons of the several calls for funding; to that end a methodology was developed in order to collect the data and elaborate representative energy, environmental and economic indicators. The most important characteristics, conditions and technical features of the considered plants are described in the present paper trying to provide information on the effectiveness of the supporting measures taken in order to orient future choices and to identify the most promising strategies and technologies for improving energy and environmental performances of communities. In particular present paper is related to 10 district heating plants: 6 are based on biomass and located in mountain areas, 3 are based on natural gas and located in urban areas, while the last is connected to the urban waste to energy plant. One of the important lesson is learned is that district heating (fuelled by biomass, fossil, waste and CHP or not) represents an innovative field of knowledge far from standard: in general each plant has to be evaluated on the basis of specify characteristics and it is very hard to find out average performances from the environmental and economic point of view. The results obtained during the monitoring campaign could help in providing information on the effectiveness of the supporting measures adopted and also to orient future choices by Lombardy Region and, in particular, to identify the most promising technologies for improving energy and environmental performances of communities and to develop a model for the optimization of energy use in the built environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents practical performance study of one axis mechanical tracking of PV grid connected system, which is designed, studied, and analyzed comparing with a fixed PV system at HIAST with capacity of 100 watts with tilt angle 35 degrees. This paper presents and compares the capital costs of tracking and fixed systems and the energy injected into the grid. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, the ways of employing energy storage devices in hybrid powered orthoses have been discussed. Since these devices have many unrivalled advantages, they are environmentally safe, they store kinetic energy as potential energy and release it when it is needed and they do not need external power supply. In this paper an energy storage device (linear extension spring) has been implemented in FES-cycling, the efficiency has been calculated for different spring positions and different spring constants. It was clear that FES-cycling efficiency increases when the spring constant increases, then the pedal, spring and the overall powers were calculated, and it appears that by leaning the spring position the overall power will be always positive, and the spring absorbs the exceeded pedal energy and releases it when the pedal power is negative. This study highlights the importance of using energy storage devices to improve FES-cycling performance, which has been proven that such improvement is highly related to the mechanical design of the bicycle. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A detailed mathematical simulation and experimental investigation of airflow in solar chimneys is studied in this paper. Several experimental studies were carried out on the solar chimney; their choice depends on the parameter of the design and the thermal performances for different geometrical configurations. The experimental tests show that the field speeds in the chimney is influenced by the width of the channel and also of the angle of inclination of the chimney. Therefore, investigations have been carried out in this paper to find the effect of inclination on the performance of solar chimney in Ouargla Province, Algeria. The simulation of this problem is implemented into the commercial CFD code Fluent 6.3. 26. The conservation equations of mass, continuity and energy are solved by the Finite Volume Method. The validation of the results is presented. An good agreement between the experimental results and simulation ones is observed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The need for air-conditioning in the Mediterranean countries is higher and higher due to the effects of global warming. This paper deals with an investigation of a high performance, solar-driven air-conditioning system, the project entitled “Mediterranean AIRCOND”, is funded by the European Community under the „Community Activities in the Field of the specific program for RTD and demonstration on “Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development”. “AIRCOND” aims to study and investigate performances of advanced solar driven air conditioning system; the field system is composed of three sub systems: the heating loop, the ejector cycle and the cold storage-air handling units: The heating loop is composed of a solar array of 60 square meters evacuated tube solar collectors; installed at a tilt angle of 45o and facing to south, a 3000 L tank which is used as hot water storage in order to cover the required energy by the ejector cycle. The cold water produced by the ejector cycle will be then transferred in a 900L cold storage tank filled with 800L micro-encapsulated phase change material (MEPCM) for cold storage. It is designed to meet the dynamic cooling load. The ejector was tested at the School of the Built Environment in the University of Nottingham in UK and then transferred to Tunisia for field evaluation. Many previous theory studies have been fulfilled on this technology but never been performed experimentally at this level. This paper presents the research effort made and the experience gained during the implementation of the whole system: Different operation strategies were followed during more than one year to make the ejector cycle functional. The whole procedure has turned out to be very difficult; it was particularly difficult to obtain a deep vacuum and to ensure a good vacuum quality; this is a necessary working condition for the ejector cycle. Successful ejector tests were obtained during 8min, 15min and 40min, after many investigations; later experiments led to 3hours of continuous working. Results are very promising; the installation is still under tests in order to obtain a whole day permanent working of the ejector cycle and so of all the solar installation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper analysis the cushion performance of the bucket unit for molded pulp material model, which based on the ANSYS software to simulate the compression test and study the effect variety of the draft angle and the height on the model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Power is the most important, the most widely used and the most convenient energy in modern society. However, grid system and the scale of construction and operation efficiency research are less coordination. This paper is mainly based on the grid, through the research of grid input-output characteristic, based on which establishing a more objective evaluation system from the economic angle and using the data envelopment analysis to evaluate their relative effectiveness. Finally, through the analysis for grid construction, this paper provides a set of scientific assessment method for the grid construction according to different state. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]