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Rising fossil fuel costs and environmental concerns are driving the search for new energy sources, particularly renewable energy. Among these sources, solar photovoltaic (PV) is the most promising in southern European countries, mainly through the use of decentralised PV systems designed to produce electricity close to the point of demand and primarily to meet local energy needs. In an urban scenario, a decentralised energy system usually operates in parallel with the grid, allowing excess power generated to be injected into the grid. Solar carports and rooftop systems are excellent examples of distributed photovoltaic systems, which are far more sustainable than large centralised systems because they do not compete for land use. Despite their operational advantages, these decentralised photovoltaic production plants, which are in most cases financed by specific energy efficiency programs, present challenges in a regulated market where the injection of energy into the electricity grid is restricted by law and support programs. The aim of this work is to integrate two different photovoltaic systems within an academic campus where the only PV source currently available is a solar car park, a solution designed both to provide shaded space for vehicles and to produce energy to be consumed within the facilities. Due to legal restrictions, surplus electricity cannot be sold to the national grid, and solar batteries to store the generated energy are expensive and have a short lifespan. Therefore, since the campus has two different grid connections and a 102.37 kWp PV system, the newly designed system to be installed on the library roof must be calculated to support the installed electricity system during the most critical working hours, determining the specific angle and orientation of the solar panels. On this basis, the energy management of a school campus is fundamental to creating a collective self-consumption system, the basis of a local energy community that can meet energy, environmental, and social objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global demand for fossil fuels is highly increasing, necessitating energy efficiency to be enhanced in transitioning to low-carbon energy systems. Electric railways are highly efficient in reducing the transportation demand for fossil fuels as they are lightweight and their energy demand can be fed by renewable energy resources. Further, the regenerative braking energy of decelerating trains can be fed to accelerating trains and stored in onboard energy storage systems (ESSs) and stationary ESSs. It is fundamental to model electric railways accurately before investigating approaches to enhancing their energy efficiency. However, electric railways are challenging to model as they are nonlinear, resulting from the rectifier substations, overvoltage protection circuits, and the unpredictability and uncertainty of the load according to the train position. There have been few studies that have examined the ESS location's impact on improving the energy efficiency of electric railways while using specialised simulation tools in electric railways. However, no single study exists that has studied the location impact of stationary ESSs on the energy efficiency of electric railways while the trains are supported by onboard ESSs. Given these goals and challenges, the main objective of this work is to develop a model using commercial software used by industry practitioners. Further, the energy saving is aimed to be maximised using stationary ESSs installed in optimal locations while trains are supported by onboard ESSs. The model includes trains, onboard ESSs, rail tracks, passenger stations, stationary ESSs, and traction power systems involving power lines, connectors, switches, sectioning, and isolators. In this article, a test scenario is presented comprising two trains running on a 20 km with three passenger stations and two substations. The trains and track are modelled in OpenTrack simulation software (Version 1.9) while the power system is modelled in OpenPowerNet simulation software (Version 1.11). The two simulation tools are used in the railway industry and can produce realistic results by taking into account the entire electrical network structure. A stationary ESS is added on the wayside and moved in steps of 1 km to obtain the optimal location before investigating the impact of stationary ESSs on the performance and energy management of onboard ESSs. It is found that the energy saving when installing a stationary ESS at the optimal location is 56.05%, the peak-power reduction of Substation 1 is 4.37%, and the peak-power reduction of Substation 2 is 18.67%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: What are the main findings? The use of machine learning algorithms in energy management services can lead to a significant increase in the implementation rate of energy performance, power quality and renewable energy sources projects; Integrating machine learning algorithms in the process of assessing the energy saving potential can accelerate the deployment of energy performance contracting; What is the implication of the main finding? Digitization of the energy services sector could support end-users in achieving their targets regarding the transition towards environmental sustainability Policy makers could also use the proposed methodology to evaluate the global energy performance of the relevant energy sectors, thus increasing the performance of the available financing mechanisms. Current targets, which have been set at both the European and the international level, for reducing environmental impacts and moving towards a sustainable circular economy make energy efficiency and digitization key elements of all sectors of human activity. The authors proposed, developed, and tested a complex methodology for real-time statistical analysis and forecasting of the following main elements contributing to the energy and economic performance of an end user: energy performance indicators, power quality indices, and the potential to implement actions to improve these indicators, in an economically sustainable manner, for the end user. The proposed methodology is based on machine learning algorithms, and it has been tested on six different energy boundaries. It was thus proven that, by implementing an advanced energy management system (AEMS), end users can achieve significant energy savings and thus contribute to the transition towards environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ANNs have become a cornerstone in efficiently managing building energy management systems (BEMSs) as they offer advanced capabilities for prediction, control, and optimization. This paper offers a detailed review of recent, significant research in this domain, highlighting the use of ANNs in optimizing key energy systems, such as HVAC systems, domestic water heating (DHW) systems, lighting systems (LSs), and renewable energy sources (RESs), which have been integrated into the building environment. After illustrating the conceptual background of the most common ANN architectures for controlling BEMSs, the current work dives deep into relative research applications, thereby exhibiting their methodology and outcomes. By summarizing the numerous impactful applications during 2015–2023, this paper categorizes the predominant ANN-based techniques according to their methodological approach, specific energy equipment, and experimental setups. Grounded in the different perspectives that the integrated studies illustrate, the primary focus of this paper is to evaluate the overall status of ANN-driven control in building energy management, as well as to offer a deep understanding of the prevailing trends at the building level. Leveraging detailed graphical depictions and comparisons between different concepts, future directions, and fruitful conclusions are drawn, and the upcoming innovations of ANN-based control frameworks in BEMSs are highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Environmental Protection Agency classifies healthcare as one of the leading energy-consuming industries. Extensive energy is needed around the clock in healthcare institutions for lighting, ventilation, and operating medical equipment. However, there is a growing concern over the sustainability of energy utilization by healthcare institutions worldwide. This narrative review thus seeks to examine energy efficiency and utilization in healthcare institutions and energy management and conservation techniques and make recommendations for future optimal usage. The paper notes that healthcare institutions use different quantities of energy from diverse sources, including hydropower, biomass, solar energy, and wind power. However, energy consumption varies from one institution to another, with the number of beds and intensity of healthcare operations, with an average of 0.27MWh m-2. Moreover, this review also identified various techniques and measures to enhance energy efficiency, such as the variant refrigerant flow technology and the combination of renewable energy sources with diesel generators to reduce the cost of electricity. Overall, healthcare institutions need energy management systems such as automated energy monitoring technologies, to check the systems' efficiency. The same techniques can also help Middle Eastern healthcare institutions with efficient energy utilization. Ultimately, the literature review aims to introduce an approach that focuses on reducing site-level consumption of energy while increasing the quality of the energy used and hence, helping reduce energy costs while conserving the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing the urgent need for sustainable energy sources due to the high costs and environmental impacts of fossil fuels, this research explores the integration of decentralized solar photovoltaic (PV) systems in urban Southern European settings. Specifically, we examine the effectiveness of a solar carport PV installation at a higher education institution, focusing on the challenges of energy surplus management within regulated markets that restrict grid energy injection. Our study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis of energy production with qualitative assessments of regulatory frameworks. The innovative aspect of our method lies in the development of a smart management system tailored to circumvent legal barriers, ensuring optimal use of locally produced energy and fostering the creation of an energy community with shared energetic, environmental, and social benefits. Preliminary results demonstrate that our system not only prevents energy loss but also enhances investment return by enabling the institution to become an energy prosumer within its community. A comparative analysis with traditional energy exercises reveals that our approach significantly improves energy self-sufficiency and sustainability, positioning decentralized PV systems as a viable solution in similar urban contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of municipal solid waste presents significant challenges globally. This study investigates the potential of an integrated waste-to-energy system based on circulating fluidized bed gasification technology to address these challenges, while also contributing to renewable energy generation. Using a MATLAB-based simulation model, the study determines the optimal operational parameters for various units within the system, including waste processing, gasification, ash handling, syngas treatment, and emission control. The proposed waste-to-energy system demonstrates a remarkable energy efficiency of 70% under these optimal conditions, notably outperforming conventional waste-to-energy technologies. Sensitivity and uncertainty analyses reveal that waste composition, gasification temperature, and the oxygen-to-solid recovered fuel ratio are key determinants of the system's output and performance. The system's performance remained robust despite variations in these parameters, underscoring its potential as a reliable solution for waste management and energy generation. While the findings are promising, future research should focus on comprehensive lifecycle assessment and consider regional factors for practical implementation. This study contributes to the ongoing development of efficient waste-to-energy systems and highlights their potential in promising sustainable waste management and renewable energy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing (AM) offers unique capabilities in terms of design freedom and customization, contributing to sustainable manufacturing. However, energy efficiency remains a challenge in the widespread adoption of AM processes. In this paper, we present a comprehensive review of the current research on energy efficiency in AM, addressing challenges, opportunities, and future directions. Our analysis reveals a lack of standardization in the measurement and reporting of energy consumption, making it difficult to evaluate and compare the energy performance of various systems. We propose a holistic framework to address energy efficiency throughout the entire life cycle of the AM process, highlighting the importance of design optimization, material selection, advanced control systems, and energy management strategies. The paper also emphasizes the need for further research on the interactions between process parameters, along with the potential of integrating renewable energy sources into AM systems. This review offers valuable insights for both academics and industry professionals, calling for standardized methodologies and a focus on energy management to optimize energy efficiency in AM processes, ultimately enhancing competitiveness and sustainability in modern manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public buildings are energy-intensive users, especially when energy management is lacking. More than ever, the use of energy efficiency strategies and renewable energy sources (RES) in buildings are a national priority for Morocco in order to improve energy self-sufficiency, replace fossil fuel use and lower energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. Relating to the exemplarity of the Moroccan government in terms of energy efficiency and sustainable development, the study support that aim and presents results of a deep energy performance analysis of more than 20 university campuses across Morocco, which has concluded that around 80% of the energy consumed in the university campuses is designated for lightning and hot water for sanitary use. Later, this study examined the potential for energy saving and the environmental benefits of implementing actions to reduce energy demand from the grid, considering the use of on-site solar energy. Thereafter, the study aimed to analyze the impact of RES integration in public university campuses, namely the photovoltaic (ESM1) for electricity output and solar thermal system for hot water use (ESM2), to assess the techno-economic-environmental performance on building energy consumption reduction. Hence, the paper reported a detailed energetic-economic and environmental (3E) analysis simulation for campuses by integration of the two Energy Saving Measurements (ESM). The results showed that the integration of ESM1 system can reduce the annual energy demand by 22% and the energy bill by 34%, whereas the integration of ESM2 achieved 67% in energy saving. According to the analysis of the results, the integration of ESM1 is expected to save 6044 MWh of electrical energy annually on the 30222 MWh for all campuses and 2559 MWh for ESM2 which is equivalent to 284 m3/yr of diesel. With the reduced energy consumption, it is possible to cut down fossil fuels for electricity production and offset greenhouse gas emissions by 672 tons of carbon dioxide annually. Besides, the evaluation of results showed that the energy performance indicator was reduced from 530 kWh/bed/yr to 248 kWh/bed/yr, which represents 56% of energy saving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building energy efficiency has grown strong in a context of soaring energy prices, especially in Europe. The use of energy-saving devices strongly influences its improvement, but in many cases, it is far from sufficient., especially if the energy comes from renewable sources with forced production. In the case of buildings, these are usually photovoltaic (PV) sources. For this reason, energy management systems (EMS) are becoming increasingly popular as they allow the increase in self-consumption and reduce the size of energy storage. This article presents analyses of historical energy consumption profiles in selected small- and medium-sized buildings powered by renewable energy sources. The implementation limitations of this type of systems, depending on the profile of the building, were identified and guidelines were presented to assess low-cost solutions dedicated to small buildings and considering the actual conditions of existing systems. Statistical analyzes were conducted for the energy demand profiles of 15 different buildings. The analyzes consisted of the preparation of box plots for each hour of working days and the calculation of the relative standard deviation (RSD) index for annual profiles of 60 min periods. The analyzes showed that the RSD index has low values for commercial buildings (e.g., hospital 7% and bank 15%) and very high values for residential buildings—even over 100%. On this basis, it can be concluded about the usefulness of energy profiles for demand forecasting. The novelty of the proposed method is to examine the possibility of using measurement data as data to forecast energy consumption based on statistical analysis, dedicated to low-cost EMS system solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hall of residence with low energy performance was subjected to an extensive retrofitting program due to its high energy consumption, to enhance the building's energy efficiency and reduce its energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The retrofitting program included the integration of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system installed on the building's flat roof, among other factors. Nevertheless, the electricity supply provided by the system during the daytime proved insufficient to cover the building's energy demand. Based on this, a study was implemented to analyze the contribution of the electricity produced by the solar PV system throughout the year to reduce power consumption under distinct solar radiation conditions, and to define a strategy to optimize renewable energy use by drawing up a set of organizational measures to be implemented to manage the PV solar system energy strategically. The strategic measures are mainly related to selecting the residence tasks with higher energy consumption to fit into higher PV energy production periods. Additionally, it is fundamental to raise the residence's occupants' education and awareness of energy efficiency, optimize the excess PV energy produced in specific periods by converting it into other energy forms, and install complementary storage systems for surplus production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental protection is currently one of the key priority areas of the European Union (EU). The search for effective solutions for the supply and use of energy in cities is currently a key topic. The reduction in gas emissions and the use of renewable energy sources are goals that result from environmental aspects. The purpose of this publication is to conduct a literature review in the area of municipal energy management. Municipal energy management systems integrate many areas, from energy supply systems and the modernization of public transport to the energy demand reduction of residential and commercial facilities. The results of the literature review research have allowed for the classification of articles based on the following criteria: research methodology, research purpose, research data collection method, use of research results article type, and research subject area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart grid plays a vital role in energy management systems. It helps to mitigate the demand side management of electricity by managing the microgrid. In the modern era, the concept of hybrid microgrids emerged which helps the smart grid management of electricity. Additionally, the Internet of Things (IoT) technology is used to integrate the hybrid microgrid. Thus, various policies and topologies are employed to perform the task meticulously. Pakistan being an energy deficient country has recently introduced some new policies such as Energy Wheeling Policy (EWP), Energy Import Policy (EIP), and Net Metering/Distributed Generation Policy (NMP) to manage the electricity demand effectively. In addition, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act (EECA) has also been introduced. In this paper, we present the overview and impact of these policies in the context of the local energy market and modern information and communication mechanisms proposed for smart grids. These new policies primarily focus on energy demand–supply for various types of consumers such as the demand for bulk energy for industrial ventures and the distributed production by consumers. The EWP deals with obtaining power from remote areas within the country to ease the energy situation in populated load centers and the EIP highlights energy import guidelines from foreign countries. The NMP deals with the integration of renewable energy resources and EECA is more focused on the measures and standardization for energy efficiency and conservation. The benefits and challenges related to EWP, NMP, and EIP have also been discussed concerning the present energy crisis in Pakistan. The generalized lessons learned and comparison of a few aspects of these policies with some other countries are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union has taken the course to become climate neutral by 2050. To reach that target significant changes in all sectors are necessary, resulting in increasing regulatory pressure on energy producers, consumers and other sectors. Increasing legal requirements was also one of the reasons why the city of Daugavpils (population of 82 000) took a decision to implement an Energy management system (EnMS). In the boundaries of EnMS Daugavpils included more than 100 public buildings, public transportation and public lighting. This research paper presents results of the EnMS implementation, main drivers and barriers that Daugavpils has faced and overcome in the implementation process, and also assesses the benefits the city of Daugavpils has gained from EnMS. The success rate of EnMS in such an organisation as a municipality is based on the awareness and knowledge of the municipality’s employees and support from the municipality leaders. The case study of Daugavpils shows energy savings of 12 % in the public building sector after implementing EnMS.

Managing household electricity consumption plays an important role in the overall energy management spectrum. This paper presents an analysis of the main factors that contribute to household electricity consumption. Emphasis is given on consumer behaviour in relation to household characteristics. For this purpose, primary data is collected via a survey study from a representative sample of households. The data were analysed using correlational as well as regression analysis methods. It was found that electricity consumption is a social phenomenon, with economic and technological dimensions. Further, it was verified that energy-saving techniques such as insulation, modern building materials and renewable energy make a significant difference in the electricity cost. Moreover, specific types of electrical appliances are highly correlated with electricity consumption.

The analysis of scientific works shows that the development of technology is ahead of the level of development of energy management. There are no clear comparisons of the energy efficiency of electrical technologies and heat technologies. Objective indicators of energy efficiency in various technologies of dehydration of raw materials not developed yet. In that article assumed that objective results for comparing energy efficiency in the processing of raw materials is ob-tained by the basis of system analysis of the entire energy conversion chain from fuel to fin-ished product. The purpose of the work is experimentally proving the objectivity of this hypoth-esis. To achieve this goal, it is proposing to use the indicator of the energy share of fuel in the finished product and the amount of moisture removed when burning 1 kg of fuel, which does not depend on fluctuations in energy prices, which can vary and differ for different countries. The most important result of the work is the comparison of these parameters with the data for innovative equipment samples developed by the authors. The significance of the results ob-tained is that the evaporating devices developed by the authors are not inferior in efficiency to traditional ones, and make it possible to obtain concentrates up to 90 ° brix. Thus, for fuels with an oil equivalent of 40 MJ per 1 kg, traditional dryers can remove no more than 3 kg of mois-ture, cryoconcentrators – 20 kg.

Highlights • Uncertainty of with Final and Useful energy statistics is explored for the first time. • Data about end-use conversion efficiencies is collected and updated. • In the UK, The average Final to Useful conversion efficiency is of 67%. • A large share of Useful energy consumption (85%) has an uncertainty below 25%. • Internet of Things will improve end-use energy statistics, including Useful Energy. Abstract The use of Useful energy as an energy indicator for sustainability and energy efficiency policy making has been advocated for since the 1970s. Useful energy is the energy delivered by conversion devices in the form required to provide an energy service. This indicator has not been employed mainly because of concern over the reliability of the underlying data, however its uncertainty has never been quantified. This study is a first attempt to rigorously quantify the uncertainty that is associated with Final and Useful energy balances. A novel methodology based on a Bayesian approach is developed, previously unpublished data about average end-use conversion device efficiency is compiled and the Useful energy balance of the United Kingdom is calculated. The uncertainty analysis shows that the largest source of uncertainty is the allocation to energy end-uses, where the uncertainty of the energy flows goes from a median value of 5% to one of 34%. Useful energy consumption for transport and for heating has low uncertainty (4–10%) and overall, 85% of consumption has uncertainties below an acceptable 25% threshold. Increased availability of energy consumption sensing technology will enable the improvement of end-use energy statistics. If governments and statistical offices seize this opportunity, Useful energy has the potential to become an important indicator for the development of energy efficiency policies and thus help stimulate policy action in end-use sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy strategies have become a global focal point involving both individuals and organisations. These strategies are implemented widely by developed countries to address greenhouse gas emissions. Developing countries are, on the other hand, lagging behind with this important global objective of reducing emissions. South Africa is one of these countries because of its rapid industrialisation along with its increasing use of coal to produce energy. It is therefore imperative for the country to develop and implement energy strategies supported by a culture and awareness of energy management. The purpose of the present study is to create an awareness of the current state of energy strategies in terms of energy conservation, efficiency and sustainability. A quantitative research design was followed, using a questionnaire to evaluate the energy management strategies implemented by the South African financial services industry. The results indicated that there are two main barriers against their implementation: their cost, and limited awareness and knowledge of the various strategies available. The results show that renewable energy strategies are not exploited to a beneficial degree. One way to enhance the development and efficiency of renewable energy strategies is to improve communication about the benefits through training and education programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite calls for more socio-technical research on energy, there is little practical advice to how narratives collected through qualitative research may be melded with technical knowledge from the physical sciences such as engineering and then applied in energy efficiency social action strategies. This is despite established knowledge in the environmental management literature about domestic energy use regarding the utility of social practice theory and narrative framings that socialise everyday consumption. Storytelling is positioned in this paper both as a focus for socio-technical energy research, and as one potential practical tool that can arguably enhance energy efficiency interventions. We draw upon the literature on everyday social practices, and storytelling, to present our framework called ‘collective video storytelling’ that combines scientific and lay knowledge about domestic energy use to offer a practical tool for energy efficiency management. Collective video storytelling is discussed in the context of Energy+Illawarra, a 3-year cross-disciplinary collaboration between social marketers, human geographers, and engineers to target energy behavioural change within older low-income households in regional NSW, Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The importance of life cycle cost analysis for administration is to investigate the components and activities which are outstanding engagements making high operational cost. This involves energy efficiency and consumption reduction from occupants in building. The aim of this study is to evaluate the cost of operational performance in administrative buildings of Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Hatyai campus called President's office (PO). It has a 6,988 m2 functional area including executive, administrative, and meeting operations. The highest cost of operation comes from electricity consumption estimated to be about 2,439,047 THB or 69,687 USD. To obtain the approximate energy performance of PO, energy audit was investigated. The primary operational energy was considered in four components;(1) Air-conditioning (AC) to cool the rooms, (2) Lighting to illuminate the rooms, (3) IT devices to process documents and database, and (4) auxiliary appliances to support administration. In particularly, AC system consumes the highest energy. Approximately 75% of the energy consumed in the building is attributed to administrative operations. This study also suggests some solutions that have been recorded to be effective in reducing the energy consumption of administrative building. The energy measures were divided into two different categories, reaching by internal and external factors. The most mutual recommendations were identified as lighting and air conditioning retrofits. Renewable energy is an environmental friendly solution but installation has been proved to cost higher than saving cost. Furthermore, there is still potential for improving energy performance not only by its physical characteristics but also by several significant factors such as occupant's behavioral change, and control of indoor environmental condition. The energy efficiency improvement requires holistic measures for sustainable energy building. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the methodological approach and findings of a simulation study of advanced energy conservation, generation and management technologies applied to two case study dwellings in the UK, so as to achieve net zero energy (NZE) target that includes a reduction of net regulated energy (HVAC) to 0 kWh/m 2 per year and energy generation of at least 50 kWh/m 2 per year. The performance of the dwellings are also tested for a change in energy use and risk of summertime overheating in future climates in the short (2030s), medium (2050s) and long term (2080s). The findings indicate that to meet the NZE targets, regulated loads need to reduce by about half (over current Building Regulations) with community (rather than building-level) renewables playing a major role. It is also found that the NZE targets, given current regulations, are not particularly difficult to achieve in design with regard to energy efficiency but are highly expectant with regard to renewable energy. Further, summertime overheating is projected to be a risk for net zero energy dwellings by the 2050s. Despite this the regulated energy use of both dwellings is projected to reduce by 11 kWh/m 2 /yr, accompanied by a small increase in renewable generation (2 kWh/m 2 /yr). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a novel Case Based Reasoning (CBR) application for intelligent management of energy resources in residential buildings. The proposed CBR approach enables analyzing the history of previous cases of energy reduction in buildings, and using them to provide a suggestion on the ideal level of energy reduction that should be applied in the consumption of houses. The innovations of the proposed CBR model are the application of the k -Nearest Neighbors algorithm (k-NN) clustering algorithm to identify similar past cases, the adaptation of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) meta-heuristic optimization method to optimize the choice of the variables that characterize each case, and the development of expert systems to adapt and refine the final solution. A case study is presented, which considers a knowledge base containing a set of scenarios obtained from the consumption of a residential building. In order to provide a response for a new case, the proposed CBR application selects the most similar cases and elaborates a response, which is provided to the SCADA House Intelligent Management (SHIM) system as input data. SHIM uses this specification to determine the loads that should be reduced in order to fulfill the reduction suggested by the CBR approach. Results show that the proposed approach is capable of suggesting the most adequate levels of reduction for the considered house, without compromising the comfort of the users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A draft of Slovenian national technical guidelines for energy efficient renovation of cultural heritage buildings has been prepared in January 2016 in order to increase exploitation of the energy saving potential in a field of cultural heritage buildings. The guidelines include measures to improve the building thermal envelope, energy systems and installations as well as ways to increase the use of renewable energy and organizational aspects with respect to their influence upon protected features, along with warnings and recommendations. The paper presents the mentioned concept and its application on a practical case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the self-declared energy and environmental protection objectives of many car manufacturers responsible companies must use energy-efficient production technologies. The running costs of production sites are a decisive factor in the overhead of automotive production. Therefore, it is important for many operators to reduce those costs in a sustainable way. For this purpose, they attempt to reduce both the energy consumption costs and CO 2 emissions of production systems. However, most components of the energy costs are determined during the very early phases of the product creation process. To achieve an estimation of the energy consumption in this early planning stage, a new suitable forecasting method is required. Therefore, this paper presents an approach for determining the prospective energy consumption by using Methods-Energy Measurement combined with defined energy reference cycles for manufacturing technologies. With this approach, key performance indicators are defined, and the production technologies are divided into basic energy consumers. The average energy values will be determined empirically by using the defined energy reference cycles. With these data, the energy demands for different scenarios are calculated. Thereby, it is possible to estimate the potential energy consumption of complex manufacturing cells. The designed method is validated within a case study of a modern automotive body shop. In summary, the approach contributes to identify and realize sustainable solutions in advance and thus increase the profitability of a factory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of global and regional energy markets is one of the most important problems of the current state of global economic relations and is one of the highest-priority areas in the formation of national and regional strategies for the socio-economic development of any country. The role of energy supply is focused on monitoring and compliance with standards. However, in recent years, the importance of energy supply to the housing stock has increased significantly, which has led to an expansion of the role of management within the framework of the risk management function. Kazakhstan has a Unified electric power system, which is represented by a set of power stations, transmission lines, and substations that provide reliable and high-quality energy supply to consumers. Currently, the main task within the framework of the priority of the development of Kazakhstan's energy sector is to build up the energy base and provide the growing needs of the population and the economy with the necessary energy resources based on the development of modern energy complexes and alternative energy sources in conjunction with the implemented and planned macroprojects. Since the current economic development of Kazakhstan is closely interrelated with the realization of energy resources and their effective use, it acts as one of the fundamental levers for the development of the national economy. According to our research goal, it is necessary to consider sustainable energy supply in the country based on the analysis and assessment of energy consumption volumes and the impact of the country's regional and sectoral policies on their use. The author's approach to the distribution of countries by MNC has been developed and estimates of regression parameters, correlation coefficients, and elasticity coefficients. When constructing the author's approach, the countries of Europe and Central Asia were studied and a sample of estimates was carried out, which has statistically significant effects on the formation of energy consumption volumes in the Republic of Kazakhstan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a new strategy to meet the controllable heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) load with a hybrid-renewable generation and energy storage system. Historical hourly wind speed, solar irradiance, and load data are used to stochastically model the wind generation, photovoltaic generation, and load. Using fuzzy C-Means (FCM) clustering, these data are grouped into 10 clusters of days with similar data points to account for seasonal variations. In order to minimize cost and increase efficiency, we use a GA-based optimization approach together with a two-point estimate method. Minimizing the cost function guarantees minimum PV and wind generation installation as well as storage capacity selection to supply the HVAC load. Different scenarios are examined to evaluate the efficiency of the system with different percentages of load shifting. The maximum capacity of the storage system and excess energy are calculated as the most important indices for energy efficiency assessment. The cumulative distribution functions of these indices are plotted and compared. A smart-grid strategy is developed for matching renewable energy generation (solar and wind) with the HVAC load. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: At the dawn of the twenty-first century, one of the major problems of mankind is to combine the energy, the respect for environment. A problem of sustainable development has been clearly demonstrated in the Earth Summit in Johannesburg 2002. Among the major battles to be fought in this century for the survival of the planet is to include energy efficiency as an international political priority, reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Renewable energy, inexhaustible, clean, are needed in these conditions as a priority. Algeria has entered its energy strategy in the context of sustainable development by integrating the promotion of renewable energy. The legislative and regulatory framework adopted in recent years testifies to this irreversible commitment. Three major laws govern the field of renewable energy and state incentives enjoyed by this sector. The law on energy management enacted in 1999 provides for the creation of a National Fund for Energy Management (NFEM) which helps to finance renewable energy projects. As part of the implementation of the law on electricity and public distribution of gas by pipeline passed in 2002, executive decree on the costs of diversification of electricity production promulgated in 2004 provides for the granting of premium for green electricity up to 300% of normal rate. Some projects for electrification of rural villages in the sun have been made in Great South of Algeria. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Earth observations are playing an increasingly significant role in informing decision making in the energy sector. In renewable energy applications, space-based observations now routinely augment sparse ground-based observations used as input for renewable energy resource assessment applications. As one of the nine Group on Earth Observations (GEO) societal benefit areas, the enhancement of management and policy decision making in the energy sector is receiving attention in activities conducted by the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS). CEOS has become the “space arm” for the implementation of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) vision. It is directly supporting the space-based, near-term tasks articulated in the GEO three-year work plan. This paper describes a coordinated program of demonstration projects conducted by CEOS member agencies and partners to utilize Earth observations to enhance energy management end-user decision support systems. We discuss the importance of engagement with stakeholders and understanding their decision support needs in successfully increasing the uptake of Earth observation products for societal benefit. Several case studies are presented, demonstrating the importance of providing data sets in formats and units familiar and immediately usable by decision makers. These projects show the utility of Earth observations to enhance renewable energy resource assessment in the developing world, forecast space weather impacts on the power grid, and improve energy efficiency in the built environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The Algerian energy strategy is decidedly towards sustainable development by integrating the promotion of renewable energy. The legislative and regulatory framework adopted in recent years testifies to this irreversible commitment. Three major laws govern the field of renewable energy and state incentives enjoyed by this sector. The law on energy management enacted in 1999 provides for the creation of a National Fund for Energy Management (NFEM) which helps to finance renewable energy projects. As part of the implementation of the law on electricity and public distribution of gas by pipeline passed in 2002, executive decree on the costs of diversification of electricity production promulgated in 2004 provides for the granting of premium for green electricity up to 300% of normal rate. The law on the promotion of renewable energy in the context of sustainable development provides a national program to promote renewable energy and incentives for developing renewable energy. The implementing regulations are still pending. Some projects for electrification of rural villages in the sun have been made in Great South of Algeria. Currently, Algeria is engaged in two major projects that provide a place for solar and wind energy, hybrid gas-solar plant of Hassi R’Mel a capacity of 150 MW and wind farm in Tindouf. Other future projects are planned. In Algeria, despite a considerable potential, the share of renewable energies in the energy balance is still low especially in electricity generation. The rise of renewable energies in Algeria can not be conceived without the realization of a phased program of projects to produce electricity more important and connected to national grid electricity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The increasing global consumption of energy and its negative impacts on the environment has been an issue discussed both by academics and practitioners, including in the health sector. Hospitals are major consumers of energy, which leads to increased operating costs, decreased competitiveness, and negative environmental impacts. Energy management in hospitals must be understood as a way to contribute to environmental sustainability and as a way to improve competitiveness. Therefore, the objective of this paper is to propose guidelines for efficient and sustainable energy management in hospitals, developed based on the literature review, the challenges faced and the good practices of sustainable energy management in the hospitals studied, the cross analysis of the case studies, and the authors' expertise. As a result, the eight proposed guidelines are related to culture change, energy consumption management, energy management standard, purchase of renewable energy, green technologies, sustainable hospital buildings, social responsibility programs focused on energy use, and sustainable energy public policies. These guidelines contribute in an applied/managerial way to help managers of public and private hospitals overcome the challenges of energy management and contribute to UN's SDG7 due to its potential to improve energy efficiency and environmental performance, therefore, being a movement towards clean energy. This study also theoretically/scientifically contributes to the academic debate since the empirical findings found in the hospitals studied and the proposition of guidelines deepen and expand the key elements identified in the literature on efficient energy management in hospitals, providing the basis for developing new research on the subject. Energy management in hospitals is discussed from the perspective of sustainability. Challenges need to be overcome for sustainability benefits to be achieved. This work can assist public and private hospitals in developing sustainability. Guidelines for sustainable energy management in hospitals are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saving energy and looking for alternative energy sources are both elements of energy efficiency management, which is still a significant challenge for many companies around the world. Unfortunately, energy efficiency in companies is often equated only with thermo-modernization or the replacement of lighting. However, one of the most important methods of improving energy use in manufacturing companies may be the modernization of the machine park. Therefore, the main purpose of the paper was to investigate the activities of enterprises in the field of the modernization of machines and the impact of this on the actual improvement of energy efficiency. The modernization of machines in production plants is understood as adapting new parts to the old device or rebuilding the machine in such a way that it can cooperate with its new subassemblies. Companies usually decide to modernize the machinery fleet, bearing in mind the benefits of production efficiency, and they do not always combine this modernization with energy efficiency improvement measures. This is confirmed by the presented results of a survey conducted with a group of 111 manufacturing companies. Several important statistical relationships in the studied area were indicated by conducting an analysis based on the chi-square test and, in some cases, by clarifying the results of the z-test with the Bonferroni correction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan receives Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) exceeding 2000 kWh/m²/annum on approximately 83% of its land, which is very suitable for photovoltaic production. This energy can be easily utilized in conjunction with other renewable energy resources to meet the energy demands and reduce the carbon footprint of the country. In this research, a hybrid renewable energy solution based on a nearly Zero Energy Building (nZEB) model is proposed for a university facility. The building in consideration has a continuous flow of water through its water delivery vertical pipelines. A horizontal-axis spherical helical turbine is designed in SolidWorks and is analyzed through a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis in ANSYS Fluent 18.1 based on the K-epsilon turbulent model. Results obtained from ANSYS Fluent have shown that a 24 feet vertical channel with a water flow of 0.2309 m3/s and velocity of 12.66 m/s can run the designed hydroelectric turbine, delivering 168 W of mechanical power at 250 r.p.m. Based on the turbine, a hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) comprising photovoltaic and hydroelectric power is modelled and analyzed in HOMER Pro software. Among different architectures, it was found that architecture with hydroelectric and photovoltaic energy provided the best COE of $0.09418. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This manuscript presents the analysis of a real distributed generation network considering the integration of Active Buildings that meet the Passivhaus standard criteria at the Premium level, as a base case model. The novelty aspect presented in this paper is the interconnection of Active Buildings based on the Passivhaus standard at the Premium level with the National Electricity System (particularly, in Mexico's North Baja California region) to mitigate the energy deficit. The objective of the proposal grid is to reduce the energy deficit (≈600 MW) due to the high energy demand in the region and the reduced energy generation through conventional and renewable energy sources. In a particular way, the energy rehabilitation of some buildings was analyzed with the aim of reducing the energy demand of each one and then adding energy generation through renewable sources. As a result, all Passivhaus standard criteria (i.e., heating and cooling demands, heating and cooling loads, among others) were met. Regarding the Active Buildings performance in each distributed generation circuit, an overall installed power capacity of ≈2.3 MW was obtained, which corresponds to ≈19.1% of the maximum capacity, and ≈34.30% of the recommended integration capacity. In addition, adequate results were obtained related to the import and export of energy between distributed generation circuits, i.e., the energy exchange is up to ≈106.8 kW, intending to reduce the energy contribution of the utility electrical network. Finally, the analysis of the Active Buildings showed an increase in the net generation forecast, up to ≈2.25 MW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In wireless sensor networks (WSNs), power consumption is an important aspect when designing routing protocols. When compared to other components of a sensor node, the power required by radio transmitters is responsible for most of the consumption. One way to optimize energy consumption is by using energy-aware protocols. Such protocols take into consideration the residual energy information (i.e., remaining battery power) when making decisions, providing energy efficiency through the careful management of energy consumption. In this work, we go further and propose a new routing protocol that uses not only the residual energy information, but also the available renewable energy information from renewable energy sources such as solar cells. We then present the Renewable Energy-Based Routing (REBORN) algorithm, an energy-aware geographic routing algorithm, capable of managing both the residual and the available energy. Our results clearly show the advantages and the efficiency achieved by our REBORN algorithm when compared to other proposed energy-aware approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research work attempts to review and compare the available scientific literature, to identify several crucial research opportunities, and to achieve the challenge of putting the findings together to achieve the prospect of nearly Zero Energy Ports. High energy demand and vital supply activities are characterizing ports; they are central hubs in the transport of materials, passengers, vehicles, and cargo. The growing progress of implementing the typical renewable energy installations in port areas and the need for innovative smart energy systems attract port management authorities' attention to energy matters. The research team constructed a specific methodology to review the available literature and viable solutions. All the reviewed measures were analysed and evaluated, highlighting their pros and cons for future implementation alongside their economic or technological maturity according to their cost-effectiveness and the expertise in each one of them. The research gaps per reviewed sector were identified, and suggestions were made in a future agenda for both port decision-makers and researchers. Although ports seem to be similar amongst themselves, due to their upmost goal to transport passengers and goods, they are different and have distinct features. The research team attempted to establish a typology and categorize ports into three (3) main categories according to their specific characteristics. A " strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats" alongside an " importance-performance" analysis were conducted on the proposed concept. This work investigates the literature gaps; the number of studies in many research fields is deficient, and future researchers' opportunities are underlined. Even though the vast majority of the energy management strategies and technologies, along with the green energy generation technologies, are under-exploited in port areas, they have high figurative value and are highly recommended. • Based on critical criteria, the proposed solutions for nZEP seem feasible. • The benefits and the drawbacks of converting a port to nZEP are assessed using a SWOT analysis. • The nZEP vision requires a synthesis of techniques and methods, alongside the collaboration of the associated parties. • Tentative research work applied to small and medium-sized ports is required. • A supportive and comprehensive guide for port decision-makers and researchers is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Museums are major energy consumers amongst buildings, especially if they are housed in historical constructions. Museums usually present high energy demand for the air-conditioning due to their architectonical and structural characteristics, such as the presence of large exhibition rooms and open spaces. At the same time, temperature and humidity have to be strictly controlled in order to assure proper microclimate conditions for the conservation of the housed collections and adequate thermal comfort for visitors and personnel. Moreover, despite being subjected to architectural protection that limits most structural refurbishment interventions, these buildings must be adequate from an energy point of view to allow their reuse or continuity of use according to current quality standards, while retaining their heritage significance. In this awkward context, ground source heat pump working with high temperature terminals is proposed as a viable refurbishment solution. The use of shallow geothermal systems can improve the energy efficiency of the heating ventilation air-conditioning systems and, at the same time, increases the renewable energy source exploitation without affecting the indoor environmental conditions. However, after the interventions, the expected benefits and the sought-after limitation of energy consumption/cost may not occur for different reasons. In fact, even if the installed solution is working perfectly and properly designed, every effort will be in vain if adequate attention is not paid to the management of the plants during the operational phase. This document is meant to evaluate and compare the magnitude that invasive (i.e., technical interventions) and not invasive (i.e., energy management policies) actions respectively and their combined interaction, have on a museum. Through energy simulations it has been possible to quantify the effects that different interventions and energy management strategies had on an existing museum housed in an historical building, from energy consumption, energy costs and CO2 emission standpoints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Estimating the effectiveness of energy efficiency policy in reducing energy use requires a full understanding of the energy efficiency rebound effect, where energy use reductions differ from engineering expectations. Prior models that estimate the size of the total rebound effect ignore energy theft, which is a common feature in developing economies. Objectives: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the role that energy theft plays in determination of the size of the rebound effect of energy efficiency policy in developing countries, using the Turkish economy and the specific Turkish regulation regarding compensation for energy theft as an example. Methods: We construct two energy-economy computable general equilibrium (CGE) models for Turkey that do and do not incorporate energy theft. Costs of energy theft are passed on to consumers through a recovery surcharge. Two energy efficiency policies are modeled; one leading to a 42% energy efficiency increment for the service sector and another leading to a 48% energy efficiency increment for households. Results: Without energy theft, rebound effects for both policies are small: between −1.4% and 3.1% for the service sector and between 0.4% and 2.1% for households. With energy theft, we see a −7.9% to −19.7% rebound for the service sector and a 10.4% to 40.7% rebound for households. The recovery surcharge on energy sales rises when energy efficiency gains affect the service sector but fall when they affect households. Conclusions: The interaction between energy efficiency and energy theft may be critical in accurate estimation of rebound effects where energy theft is prevalent. Where energy efficiency gains disproportionately reduce electricity sales rather than theft, the rising recovery surcharge leads to a negative rebound or super-conservation. However, where theft is disproportionately reduced rebound will be higher. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]