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A series of theoretical and experimental studies was carried out with the aim of a direct comparison of the thermal and microwave destruction of peat during pyrolysis. Different heating mechanisms in these processes were investigated in the framework of simulations conducted using a commercial 3D software package, CST Studio Suite, to define their specific features. Based on these simulations, identical reactors were constructed exploiting an electric element and a microwave complex as a heat source, and an experimental technique was developed that allows these processes to be correctly compared under similar conditions. Using these reactors based on different heat sources, comparative experiments on peat pyrolysis were performed, and the results of the theoretical analysis were confirmed. As a result, the advantages of microwave exposure were demonstrated to achieve a more uniform and deep fragmentation of peat, increase the reaction rate and reduce the processing time, with high energy efficiency accompanying this method. As part of the experiments, the yield of pyrolysis products was analyzed. During the microwave destruction of peat, a high gas output (up to 27%) was obtained, which allows for a further increase in the efficiency of this processing method when burning these gases. The conducted elemental analysis showed an increase in the percentage of carbon from about 50% to 78% after microwave processing, which can become a raw material for obtaining effective environmentally friendly sorbents. The prospects for creating industrial microwave complexes for processing organic materials are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temperature control in buildings is usually driven by energy conservation although the occupants' comfort is also important considering its impact on productivity and health. However, energy efficiency and comfort are opposing objectives and therefore this type of problem can be resolved by means of a multiobjective optimization approach. The simulations we carried out indicate that set points optimization has the potential to reduce energy consumption in the order of 10% while also providing a comfortable work environment for the occupants. • This work presents the procedure to implement a set-points optimizer for a building. • Two main objectives are considered: users' comfort and energy consumption. • The proposed optimizer has been merged into a multilevel hierarchical control system. • The performance of the optimizer has been tested for typical days from March to July. • The proposed optimizer is able to estimate set-points to guarantee users' comfort. • Simultaneously, the proposed optimizer can increase energy savings between 7 to 19%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents an overview of the current situation of awareness of the Latvian citizens in the field of state-of-the-art energy-saving technologies. The authors present a wide range of data obtained as a result of a survey on the attitude of residents to new technologies and readiness to follow the development trends of a smart city. The article contains the analysis and recommendations for improving the efficiency of introducing new energy-saving and energy-efficient technologies into each household in order to create the most favourable conditions for the implementation of long-term plans for the development of smart cities in Latvia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modules for calculating and increasing power factor and efficiency, which characterizes efficient energy use, as well as coefficients of voltage nonsinusoidality and current distortion, which characterizing the quality of electricity, and a reversible module of total power and its active and reactive components, are proposed for implementation in the MATLAB environment. By means of the proposed modules, an investigation of electrical complex with the ability to discharge electrical networks and maintain consumed voltage at a given level was performed. The measurement modules are constructed on elements taken from the Library Browser and are compatible with MATLAB. Block structures were examined in order to calculate the energy efficiency of the complex. The process of energy exchange via a direct-current link between the electric drives was analyzed. One of the drives operated as an energy consumer, while the other operated as a generator; herewith, the energy consumption of the electric drives decreased. The use of voltage boosters with a directcurrent link based on static converters of electric energy allows the energy efficiency of the electrical complex to be increased significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]