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Energy efficiency is crucial in contemporary industry and controlling the resource power state by switching off/on commands is a promising measure. The control problem of deciding when to switch off/on the machines depending on the state of the system at a given time is not trivial due to the effect the control might have on the system production rate. Threshold-based policies using buffer occupancy information to control the machines can be effectively used to reduce energy consumption. Nevertheless, highly complex control policies are difficult to be applied and costly to be managed in practice. Buffer-based threshold policies to control multiple machines simultaneously in a serial production line for energy efficiency purposes are analysed in this work. The optimal control minimises the energy consumption while assuring a certain target production rate for the system. The effects of controlling different combinations of machines simultaneously with different number of thresholds have been investigated through numerical experiments with discrete event simulation. Insights regarding the trade-off between the complexity of the control and the performance gains are provided. The proposed policy works effectively and the effect of a proper selection of the controlled machines or thresholds is significant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to investigate agricultural sustainability as a collective issue involving multiple rather than individual farms. Through the utilization of energy consumption as a proxy, we propose a novel methodology that evaluates the impact of farm consolidations on agricultural sustainability while accounting for resource preferences. Our approach incorporates the ordered weighted averaging (OWA) operator within an inverse data envelopment analysis (IDEA) model to identify post-merger farms that meet preset efficiency targets. We employ a DEA cross-efficiency (DEA-CE) procedure to select merger plans that maximize agricultural sustainability for each preference scenario. By analysing a case study of 43 tomato greenhouse farms in Biskra, northern Algeria, our findings demonstrate that mergers can significantly enhance agricultural sustainability, surpassing the potential of individual farms by a factor of over 15. Additionally, the adoption of the most sustainable merger plan can lead to energy savings of more than 69%. Irrespective of the preference scenario, substantial energy savings in machinery, fertilizers, diesel, and electricity ranging from 22.92% to 73.73% were observed. These results emphasize the strategic role of merger processes in promoting agricultural sustainability and optimizing resource utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the last few decades, the environmental degradation, global warming, and climate change remained the life-threatening issues across the globe. Specifically, the use of non-renewable fossil fuels is regarded as the most significant reason of such inclined issues. However, the policy-makers and scholars are now more concerned about the recovery of environmental quality, where renewable energy is considered as the primary solution to the existing issue. The developed economies and environment related international organizations rapidly enhances the use and promotion of renewable energy after the taking pledge in the Kyoto Protocol Agreement (1997). Nonetheless, the scholars are participating in analyzing the key drivers of renewable energy. Still, the proper drivers of renewable energy are not properly addressed in the existing literature. To fill this gap, current study analyzed the group of seven (G7) economies over the period 1990-2020. Using various panel data techniques such as slope heterogeneity, cross-section dependence, unit root, and cointegration test, the results indicates that the slopes are heterogeneous, and the cross-section dependence, as well as cointegration exists among the panel economies. Besides, the irregular distribution of data leads to the adoption of novel Method of Moments Quantile Regression accommodating four quantiles, i.e., ( Q 0.25 , Q 0.50 , Q 0.75 , and Q 0.90 ). The examined results asserted that economic growth and energy efficiency negatively and significantly affects renewable energy consumption ( REC). Whereas, developed environmental related technologies, environmental taxes, and composite risk index are positively affecting REC in the study panel. Besides, improved energy efficiency (energy efficiency squared) also contributed to the promotion of renewable energy consumption. The Granger causality test estimates reveals bidirectional and unidirectional causal association between the variables. Based on the empirical results, policies are provided that could help developed economies in the promotion of renewable energy consumption, improve economic growth, and enhances environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the recent literature, energy efficiency got the attention of scholars due to its discouraging impact on CO2 emissions, which is considered the most prevalent greenhouse gas that human activities produce. Data reports that China is the leading CO2 emitting country across the globe, and still the environmental degradation is in progress. Thus, the current paper empirically investigates the impact of energy efficiency (ENEF), financial inclusion (FD), GDP, export diversification (EXD), and human capital index (HCI) on the environmental degradation of China over the period from 1988 to 2018. This study uses various time-series tests to empirically investigate the determinant of CO2 emissions, including normality tests, unit root tests, and combined cointegration tests. Besides, the long-run coefficients are analyzed via the fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS), dynamic OLS (DOLS), and the Canonical Cointegrating Regression (CCR) estimators. The empirical findings reveal that all the variables are cointegrated in the long run. However, the coefficient estimate shows that ENEF and HCI significantly promote environmental sustainability. While GDP, FD, and EXD significantly promote environmental degradation by enhancing the CO2 level in the atmosphere. This study recommends practical policy implications based on the empirical findings: energy-efficient products and energy sources could be promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scheduling can be defined as the allocation of available resources over time while optimising a set of criteria like early completion time of task, holding inventory, etc. The complexity of the scheduling problem, already known to be high, increases if dynamic events and disruptions are considered. In addition, in production and logistics, designers of scheduling systems must consider sustainability-related expectations. This paper presents an energy-efficient scheduling and rescheduling method (named Green Rescheduling Method, GRM). GRM aims at the solving of the dynamic scheduling problem under the condition of a certain level of routing flexibility enabling the reassignment of tasks to new resources. The key performance indicators integrated into the proposed GRM are effectiveness and efficiency-oriented. Applications concern the domains of production and logistics. In order to assess the proposed approach, experimentations have been made and results illustrate the applicability of GRM to build efficient and effective scheduling and rescheduling both for flexible manufacturing systems and inventory distribution systems in a physical internet network. A mathematical formulation for flexible job shop problem with energy consumption is also proposed using mixed Integer programming to evaluate the performance of the predictive part of GRM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During its Presidency of the Group of Twenty (G20) in 2020, Saudi Arabia launched the concept of the circular carbon economy (CCE) as a framework for reducing emissions to a level consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The concept, which was endorsed by both G20 leaders and energy ministers, comes at a time when Saudi Arabia appears to have stabilised its domestic emissions after decades of rapid growth. This article describes the CCE concept and positions it alongside other related sustainability concepts, and assesses how it may be meaningfully applied. To that end, the article provides an analysis of key greenhouse gas (GHG) and carbon dioxide (CO2) trends in Saudi Arabia and existing climate change-related policies and measures using the CCE as a framing tool. Prominent data sources indicate that Saudi Arabia's total CO2 emissions experienced their first-ever significant decline in 2018, of 3.93%. The analysis suggests that policy-induced variables, namely energy price reform and more robust energy efficiency measures, played a significant role in this. The article also explores the potential of key mitigation options if limiting global warming below 2°C is to be achieved. Finally, the article discusses the international significance of the CCE concept and its potential to foster stronger engagement on net-zero pathways, particularly from fossil-fuel rich countries and hard-to-abate sectors. The CCE approach aspires to promote holistic assessments of how various carbon management options fit together to achieve a carbon balance, or net-zero emissions. Saudi Arabia's adoption of the concept signals a stronger level of engagement on climate policy. CCE's game-changing potential derives from how it allows aligning fossil fuel producers' interests with net-zero emissions trajectories. A meaningful operationalisation of the CCE in Saudi Arabia will still require a stronger CO2 accounting framework, aligned with international measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) standards. Achieving an emissions pathway consistent with a 2°C global warming target in Saudi Arabia would require significantly more policy support for carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen in particular, along with a continued emphasis on renewable energy and energy efficiency. The CCE should also be seen as a tool to build bridges between fossil fuel importers and exporters for holistic discussions around energy transition.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous rise in a global economy with a 3–4% annual growth rate poses a severe risk to environmental sustainability due to high energy demand. Since the Paris climate accord, countries worldwide have implemented numerous strategies to attain the target of carbon neutrality. With the rising environmental challenges, it is important to consider global financial inclusion (F.I.) policies. This study uses panel data for the B.R.I.C.S. countries to investigate the impact of F.I. and energy efficiency in limiting trade adjusted emissions (T.A.E.) taking technological innovation and trade as control variables. This study uses panel data consisting small sample size and large time period; therefore, keeping in mind the potential econometric problems, this study uses AMG method, which can efficiently deal with endogeneity problems and small sample bias. We find a positive impact of F.I. and energy efficiency on CO2 emissions. Moreover, we find that technological innovation, exports and output amplify CO2 emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the influence of window system configurations on the energy use/cost, access to daylight and view, visual comfort and environmental performance in a one-bed hospital patient room located in a temperate climate. The methodology combines dynamic energy simulations, visual comfort and daylight analysis in a life cycle assessment study of window systems, covering a wide range of environmental indicators. In this study, multi-criteria evaluation approach is used to analyse the different design alternatives. A graphical optimization method was elaborated to filter the solutions and select the most appropriate window design based on project objectives and architectural preferences. The results show that glazing with '0.30 < g-values≤0.50' and '0.50 < Tvis < 0.75' have lower energy use and/or cost, lower environmental impacts while maintaining sufficient daylight levels (sDA > 55%) and showing higher quality for visual comfort. These type of glazing allows for using bigger windows which leads to a higher percentage of the outside view. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An optimisation model for the sustainable design of refrigerated automated storage and retrieval systems is proposed, which takes into account specific features of the food supply chain, such as temperature control. Rack configuration as well as surfaces and volumes of the cold cell are conjointly optimised in order to minimise the total yearly cost of the automated storage facility, introducing energy requirements both for refrigeration and picking operations explicitly, other than investment costs. Crane plus satellite systems are modelled in order to enable deep lane solutions and space savings, as suitable for cold storage. The model allows a deep analysis of the impact of supply chain decision variables, such as the facility location, the storage temperature and the incoming product temperature on costs, energy use and carbon dioxide emissions, so that storage facilities attributes for supply chain design models can be properly assessed to re-optimise the whole cold chain. The design problem is modelled and solved by Constraint Programming in order to easily manage non-linear functions. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper discusses integration of twenty-first-century direct-exchange geothermal technology with nineteenth-century heat supply infrastructure to provide climate control at The Breakers, Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.A. In 1892, Cornelius Vanderbilt II built an 11,600 m2 Italian Renaissance style summer residence equipped with the most modern domestic technology available. This house retains original architectural finishes, furnishings, and a decorative arts collection, to give visitors insight into America's Gilded Age. The mansion's original design relied upon the ocean setting for its natural ventilation during summer occupancy; a convection heat system maintained the building through winter. A century later, risks to the collection due to extreme fluctuations in temperature and relative humidity along with rising energy costs prompted a climate modification feasibility study. The expense and complexity of conventional systems were deemed prohibitive, intrusive, and unsustainable. A high-efficiency geothermal heat pump system was chosen because it could generate conditioned, filtered air, re-use historic convection heat shafts, and significantly offset heating costs. Since going online in 2018, the system has stabilized the interior environment and considerably reduced fuel consumption. Discussion will include challenges encountered through design, installation and start-up, and assessment of environmental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring sustainability is a primary concern of the manufacturing industry. Not only does the enhancement of process and systematic efficiency secure sustainability through increased energy efficiency but it also improves the efficiency in terms of overall productivity. Dyeing and finishing industries consume massive amounts of energy and have large energy-related expenditures. The industry comprises small- and medium-sized enterprises, which have insufficient capital to pay for the energy-efficient equipment. This study proposes a service-oriented platform that can achieve process and systematic efficiency enhancement based on the industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The platform reflects the requirements of dyeing and finishing shops in the industry and secures effective interoperability and services using a service-oriented architectural design. A smart operation enabled by the service-oriented platform to improve the efficiency of traditional processes is developed. The system architecture, P4R data model, and service composition are discussed to understand the proposed process. Results suggest that it is possible to provide dyeing and finishing shops with services for reducing energy costs and improving productivity. The proposed platform also provides high-level services that utilize analytical techniques and data from the IIoT, and it serves as a suitable solution for small- and medium-sized enterprises by reducing costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Brazilian semi-arid region, thousands of small dams have been built over time to enhance water availability, accumulating water and hydraulic energy at high altitudes. Simulations were performed in this study to assess how the arrangement of reservoirs impacts on the power demand for water distribution in the Banabuiú River Basin (19 800 km2), Brazil. The power required to pump water from 1405 reservoirs to all districts with diffuse demands is 6.5 GWh/year, whereas in the scenario with only the 12 larger strategic reservoirs, the power demand reached 45.3 GWh/year. Alone, the largest reservoir in the basin can supply water to all districts. Nonetheless, in that scenario, the power demand would reach 195 GWh/year, which is 30 times the power required in the real reservoir arrangement. Thus, decentralization by small reservoirs not only promotes more democratic access to water, but also increases energy efficiency by storing it at higher altitudes and closer to the diffuse demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the factors ("drivers") that motivated investment in energy efficiency in commercial real estate office buildings over the 2006-2011 and 2012-2017 period, and looking forward from 2018 in the context of growing concern over carbon emissions around the world. These insights were collected from large Canadian asset managers through interviews conducted in 2017 and 2018. Key findings were that (1) organizations noted an increasing number of factors driving investment decisions over the three periods; (2) cost drivers (payback period and anticipated financial returns) were the top two drivers in 2006-2017; (3) public relations factors became significantly more important looking forward, with brand (reputational impact) as the top- ranked driver and tenant attraction tied for third place; and (4) mitigation against risks such as resilience and anticipated compliance consistently increased in importance. This study contributes to a comprehensive understanding of past, present, and near-future sustainable real estate investment priorities, changing owner behaviors, and the perceived business case for building energy efficiency investments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying stakeholders’ influence on project outcomes, prioritizing their importance and managing their interests accordingly is an effective strategy for maximizing benefits for organizations. Quantifying the influence of stakeholders on energy efficiency of housing allows for the development of an engagement plan that takes into consideration stakeholders’ diverse goals, needs, levels of expertise, knowledge, authority, connectivity and closeness to decision-making processes throughout the different stages of the housing procurement. We present a theoretical approach for quantifying the influence of stakeholders on the thermal performance of housing. The quantification methodology builds on a number of stakeholder management approaches and is applied to Australian case studies for reflection and sense making. The quantification of the degree of influence is calculated by combining the rankings of stakeholders in six attributes that affect their influence on a building’s energy efficiency outcomes. Quantifying human influence on buildings’ energy efficiency can help future researchers and housing industry stakeholders in integrating the human aspect with technological, technical, economic and regulatory aspects to optimize the performance outcomes of energy efficient housing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The approach proposed in this paper emphasizes the methodology of examining the possibility of increasing energy efficiency in the case of industry, such as a petrochemical complex, which is at the same time marked as the major pollutant of the environment. The improved cleaner production methodology was used based on the conditions and needs of the major Serbian petrochemical company. This paper presents results obtained by steam system optimization and modifications. The implemented measures lead to a decrease in total energy consumption by 6% and a decrease in greenhouse gas emissions by 9 t CO2e. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, I examine the market potential for various sustainable features by residents in Lagos prime residential submarket in the context of their willingness to pay (stated and revealed preferences) for green features. The study is of great significance as Nigeria is likely to produce a green building policy and certification standard in the near future through the Green Buildings Council of Nigeria. Data were obtained through the distribution of 150 questionnaires to households and evidence of lettings in Ikoyi and Victoria Island, the two prime residential neighborhoods in Lagos. The findings show that occupiers are willing to pay for sustainable features. The findings also indicate that poor electricity provision, dark staircases, and poor indoor air quality have a negative effect on rental price. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Home Insulation Program (HIP) in Australia is an outstanding example of a contemporary attempt to intervene in a socio-technical regime. The program, implemented in 2009 under the then Australian Labor Party government led by Kevin Rudd, was targeted at stimulating the retrofit insulation industry. The objective was to both improve the energy efficiency of homes and thereby contribute to Australia’s emissions reduction targets by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and to stimulate the Australian economy at the time of the global financial crisis. The program ended early following a number of economic issues and health and safety concerns. Despite previous investigation into the HIP reviewing its design and implementation, the focus has been on economic issues and health and safety concerns. To date there has been no investigation of the HIP as a sustainability transition. This article integrates socio-technical transition theory (STTT) and political ecology (PE) approaches to analyse the HIP and identify lessons for future sustainability transition initiatives. This is achieved by illustrating the effect of regime management (RM) on the orientation of niche governance (NG) which highlights the importance of considering the RM and NG aspects of STTT with a PE approach in symmetry, in order to adequately account for political and economic contest and power relations, which are ubiquitous in environmental management governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy efficiency has been given high strategic priority in European Union energy law. In addition to energy efficiency, reducing or shifting demand have been identified as key elements not only for improving the functioning of the internal electricity market but also for achieving the EU sustainability objectives and ensuring security of supply. This article argues that the EU regulatory framework for ensuring generation adequacy and introducing capacity mechanisms should be interpreted to prioritise demand side measures over capacity mechanisms. Through this contextual interpretation of the relevant regulatory framework, this article aims to identify the ways in which the Commission uses demand side assessments as justification for declaring capacity mechanisms (in)compatible with the internal market and how energy efficiency and demand side measures can, in practice, be designed to complement capacity remuneration for supply side measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India's growing role in the global climate debate makes it imperative to analyse emission reduction policies and strategies across a range of GHGs, especially for under-researched non-CO2gases. Hydrofluorocarbons' (HFCs) usage in cooling equipment and subsequent emissions are expected to increase dramatically in India with the phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) as coolants in air-conditioning equipment. We focus on the residential air-conditioning sector in India and analyse a suite of HFC and alternative coolant gas scenarios for understanding the implications for GHG emissions from this sector within an integrated assessment modelling framework. We find that, if unabated, HFC410A emissions will contribute to 36% of the total global warming impact from the residential air-conditioner sector in India in 2050, irrespective of the future economic growth trajectory, and the remaining 64% is from energy to power residential air-conditioners. A move towards more efficient, low global warming potential (GWP) alternative refrigerants will significantly reduce the cumulative global warming footprint of this sector by 37% during the period 2010–2050, due to gains both from energy efficiency as well as low GWP alternatives. Best practices for reducing direct emissions are important, but only of limited utility, and if a sustainable lifestyle is adopted by consumers with lower floorspace, low GWP refrigerants, and higher building envelope efficiencies, cumulative emissions during 2010–2050 can be reduced by 46% compared to the Reference scenario. Policy relevance Our analysis has important implications for Indian climate policy. We highlight that the Indian government's amendment proposal to the Montreal Protocol is a strong signal to the Indian market that the transition away from high GWP refrigerants towards low/zero GWP alternatives will happen sooner or later. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency should extend building energy conservation code policy to residential buildings immediately, and the government should mandate it. Government authorities should set guidelines and mandate reporting of data related to air-conditioner coolant recharge frequency and recovery of scrapped air-conditioner units. For contentious issues like flammability where there is no consensus within the industry, the government needs to undertake an independent technical assessment that can provide unbiased and reliable information to the market. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The Covenant of Mayors has secured the commitments of over 5400 European Cities (as of December 2013) to achieving the European Union 20-20-20 climate change mitigation targets by 2020 through action at the local level. Due to the youth of the initiative, few experiences have been reported in the academic literature. We study the development of the Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP) in the city of Girona (Catalonia, Spain) to analyse the opportunities and challenges this process may present in a small- to medium-sized, compact Mediterranean city. This knowledge can provide information to local authorities in similar municipalities, technical teams and decision-makers at the European level interested in enhancing the performance of such plans in the future. In this article, we explain how the SEAP was developed in Girona, the main results and proposed actions, and discuss the main setbacks. We conclude that an overarching European oversight organism is advisable to coordinate and aid local efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article focuses on the sustainable design development for museum storage buildings and archives. It highlights the consideration of environmental strategies including low investment costs, energy efficient, and minimal use of technology. Topics discussed include measuring the hygrothermal properties of used construction materials, using concrete having moisture controllable and water retention property, and using simulation tool such as WUFI Plus, which measures and controls indoor climate and ventilation.

While the concept of sustainable development brings together concepts of economic, environmental and social sustainability, much has been said regarding inherent tensions between them. Conflicts between economic and environmental objectives, in particular, have been noted as restraining efforts to instigate transitions to environmental sustainability, with growth ambitions limiting environmental policy to “win–win” cases. This paper argues that they can also play complementary roles in managing transitions by creating inclusive visions for rallying actors and resources. This is explored by looking at a case of sustainable regeneration in Wales, UK. Using as a case study the Arbed scheme, an area-based project established in 2009 to retrofit housing stock for energy efficiency, this paper shows how the scheme explicitly addresses economic, environmental and social aspects of sustainability; and, in particular, how sustainable development aims constituted a guiding vision that supported the formation of actor and resource networks necessary for large-scale retrofitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emissions reductions targets for the UK set out in the Climate Change Act for the period to 2050 will only be achieved with significant changes to the built environment, which is currently estimated to account for 50% of the UK's carbon emissions. The socio-technological nature of Civil Engineering means that this field is uniquely placed to lead the UK through such adaptations. This paper discusses the importance of interdisciplinary teaching to produce multi-faceted team approaches to sustainable design solutions. Methods for measuring success in education are often not fit for purpose, producing good students but poor engineers. Real-world failures to apply sustainable design present a serious, difficult to detect, and ultimately economically negative situation. Techniques to replace summative examinations are presented and discussed, with the aim of enhancing core technical skills alongside those required for sustainable design. Finally, the role of our future engineers in policy-making is discussed. In addition to carbon, the provision of water and food will heavily influence the work of civil engineers in the coming decades. Leadership from civil engineers with the technical knowledge and social awareness to tackle these issues will be required. This provides both opportunities and challenges for engineering education in the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Typically, a historic building consists of what today would be considered traditional features, such as fireplaces and chimney stacks, as well as cellular room plans with high ceilings and draught lobbies which reduce air infiltration and heat loss and increase its thermal mass. Such inherent properties should not be overlooked when considering a historic building's future thermal performance, as they may be able to make a valid contribution to improving its energy efficiency. This paper aims to research the link between conservation principles and sustainable refurbishment schemes, appraising the impact of sustainable technologies on historic dwellings. A key theme of the study is the fine balance to be achieved when managing change in refurbishment projects of heritage value. In addition, recent additions or alterations of less heritage value may still form part of the fabric of historic dwellings and must be managed or rectified so as not to detract from the overall character or functionality of the building. This brings to the forefront the role of conservation principles and guidelines as well as energy-efficiency standards and building regulations, and the effect of governmental policy on piecemeal change, in light of the high level of importance given to the sustainability agenda. Home-owners are given incentives and permitted alteration rights that do not always respect the sensitive character of historic dwellings. Currently, if a building is not listed, then its intrinsic features are not protected. Local planning authorities require clearer guidance on how to reach sustainability targets without compromising the heritage value that makes historic dwellings so unique and distinct to the era to which they belong. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing largely upon the stakeholder theory and the resource dependence literature, this article examines the relationship between corporate governance structure and sustainability measured by energy efficiency. The model uses data from South Korean (Korean hereafter) firms that have relied heavily on energy-intensive industry for economic growth and have experienced major changes in their corporate governance structure since the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Estimation results show that a corporate governance structure that includes the appointment of heterogeneous outside directors, given other conditions, leads to an increase in energy efficiency and thus sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Though the effects of eco-certification on individual property cash flows and valuations have been addressed in previous literature, the question has remained as to the worth investors place on eco-certification, and whether there is perceived value in the capital outlays often needed in order to achieve eco-certification. This paper is the first to provide credible empirical evidence through the analysis of excess capitalisation rates that investors place on increased value on the property-specific benefits of eco-certification. Based upon a data-set of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and Energy Star-labelled commercial office properties and their non-certified counterparts, this paper investigates the effects of eco-certification on the excess capitalisation rates of commercial office properties. Hedonic regression analysis is used to determine whether premiums in rent and sales price associated with eco-certified properties translate into lower excess capitalisation rates vs. their non-certified counterparts. The results suggest that overall eco-certified properties have excess capitalisation rates that are 0.364 lower than their non-certified counterparts. Additionally, those properties with only the Energy Star label also exhibit lower average excess capitalisation rates, with properties achieving the Energy Star rating post-sale having lower excess capitalisation rates than those purchased with the Energy Star rating in place. However, due to the small sample size, the results surrounding properties that are LEED-only certified or that possess both the LEED and Energy Star labels are inconclusive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large areas of our cities are taken by impervious areas, which reduce infiltration and increase peak flows, leading to flash floods and rendering less water for storage and use. At the same time, urban water demand is growing at an unsustainable pace. An innovative system design combining permeable pavements with underground water storage is proposed to reduce runoff peaks, store water, treat pollutants, lower ambient temperatures (heat island effect), and harvest energy from the heated pavement. The proposed system is highly exploratory and aims to answer questions such as what existing technological options could be used, how are the elements of the system integrated, and what are the potential benefits? Through a prototypical case application in an industrial area in Singapore, it was found that the proposed system could significantly reduce runoff and peak flows and slow the recharge of underground water storage. The sizes of urban drains can therefore be reduced significantly, thereby freeing up valuable urban space – a primary sustainability concern in crowded urban cities. We also found that the proposed design solution has not satisfied decision and policy-makers on energy-harvesting and heat-island-effect reduction. We conclude by discussing our lessons learnt from the exploratory study from the technical, economic, and sustainability perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering the ubiquity of concrete's structural, architectural, and environmental applications in buildings, a research study was carried out to determine how the thermal mass property of concrete could improve the energy performance of buildings. The results have shown that extreme climate zones can better exploit the thermal mass property of the material. This article initially reviews the fundamental concepts of thermal mass. It then specifically explores the impact of thermal mass concrete on building energy performance in six U.S. climate zones through Energy Plus simulation and analysis. The building occupancy types (office and residential), window-to-wall area ratio, and height are chosen as the parameters to evaluate the impact of thermal mass on building energy performance. In addition, the annual heating and cooling energy demands are selected as the measurement indices of building energy consumption. This article presents the results of the study, interprets them, and draws conclusions about the potential benefits of thermal mass for both residential and office occupancies, which are deemed to be important to researchers and design professionals. These results indicate that other influential design variables such as slab thickness and thermal mass distribution could also be taken into account to demonstrate broader implications and benefits of thermal mass in different climate zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High oil dependence and energy inefficiency are structural characteristics of industrialized agricultural systems. In a context of climate change and growing energy shortage as the present one, energy indicators should be increasingly taken into account as measures of environmental sustainability, efficiency, and technical-productive viability in analyses and decision-making processes in the field of agriculture. One of the most relevant characteristics of agriculture is its capacity to transform energy and to generate an energy "surplus" that has very diverse uses (human feeding, animal feeding, fertilization, etc.). This energy surplus is potentially greater in organic farming. However, empirical studies analyzing the aggregate energy performance of organic farming and allowing an assessment of the scope and energy limitations of this type of production are few. This work analyses the energy performance of organic farming in Andalusia, the southern region of Spain, both in an aggregate form and by large groups of crops, through the energy assessment of its output, inputs and energy efficiency (ER). The energy ratio of Andalusian organic farming in 2005 was estimated by 1.40, the extensive crops (2.86), horticultural crops (0.18), citrus fruits (0.39), subtropical fruits (0.85), other fruits (1.64), nuts (0.54), olive (2.08), and vine (0.76). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal dehydration is the most common and cost-effective technique for preservation of foods and for the production of traditional as well as innovative processed products such as snacks with desired functionalities. The basic intent of this article is to provide a global overview of emerging and innovative thermal drying technologies that are already commercialized or show potential of industrial exploitation upon successful R&D to sort out some limitations. New drying technologies are needed to enhance quality, reduce energy consumption, improve safety, and reduce environmental impact. Mathematical modeling can be used for cost-effective development of untested novel designs to reduce the cost and time required for innovation. As examples of emerging drying technologies we consider selected dehydration techniques with imminent commercialization potential. These include heat pump-assisted drying, microwave-assisted drying, low-pressure superheated steam drying, pulse combustion spray drying, pulsed and ultrasound-assisted osmotic dehydration, as well as novel gas-particle contactors such as impinging streams and pulsed fluidized beds. Multistage drying, intermittent drying, and the use of hybrid drying technologies-which combine advantages of different dryers without some of their limitations-will be outlined. This article also discusses various methods of energy minimization, and the potential for use of renewable energy will also be discussed briefly. Although this overview emphasizes food dehydration, the themes covered are applicable to other materials as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions without hampering economic growth is a significant issue for China. Taking into account environmental sustainability principles, this study analysed the energy efficiency of 30 regions of China for the period 2002-2007. By employing a data envelopment analysis (DEA) approach, this study included undesirable CO2 and SO2 outputs and the desirable GDP output in the model. Empirical outcomes demonstrated that the overall average technical efficiency (TE) of China is 0.843, indicating a 15.70% input inefficiency. Among three geographic areas, the east has the highest technical efficiency, with the highest ability to set up clean-burning power plants based on best technology available. Performance in the west is less good because of much inefficient technology. Finally, the study demonstrates detailed management implications of the BCG matrix. The most important contribution of this paper is a detailed demonstration of an energy performance evaluation mechanism for China. The valuable results and insights gained can be equally effectively applied to studies in other developing countries facing the same gaseous emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study of domestic energy audit practice draws on current literature and focuses on a program at Kildonan UnitingCare. It explores and highlights the relevance of natural environmental issues for social work practice and includes practical ideas for addressing financial, social, and environmental issues within case work practice and advocacy. The overlap between energy audit and social work practice is said to apply to both service user issues and the professional skill base of social workers. Finally, a transformation in social work thinking practice and education is suggested, within a vision that is community focused and holistically integrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability of renewable energy systems must support both human and ecosystem health over the long term, and goals on tolerable emissions should look well into the future. The sustainability of combustible renewables for energy use requires a high efficiency recycling of energy and low emissions of carbon compounds, NOx, persistent organics, and acidifying compounds and heavy metals due to biomass combustion. Electricity generation from combustible renewables has been found to be a promising method in the near future. The electricity is generated from combustible renewables, and advanced gasification and pyrolysis technologies are almost ready for commercial scale use. The electricity costs are in the 6-8 c/kWh range. Combustible renewables are utilized in different economic sectors in the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries. The combustible renewables are mainly used in the residential sector in non-OECD countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant developments of green building grading systems have occurred since the 1990s in terms of coverage, principle and mathematical models from simple certification to project-specific weighing. Despite a plethora of tools, the selection of the most appropriate tool to suit project-specific needs is difficult and confusing for the practitioner. For higher efficiency, a few recent schemes have been adopted including an elementary structure compared to contemporary counterparts. Reluctance, insufficient transparency and complexity are the main hurdles for global application. The increased worldwide focus on sustainability has often overlooked major issues of buildability and maintainability. This comprehensive and systematic review of existing building grading systems and tools intends to serve as a guideline and reference in developing a comprehensive, international assessment system to bridge this knowledge and applicability gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the potential link between the sustainability of a property asset and its investment worth. The research is based on the premise that sustainability represents an additional and changing set of risks for property investors and as such needs to be examined systematically for those risks to be properly understood and mitigated. It seeks to make the bundle of issues referred to as 'sustainability' explicit within the appraisal process in order that their impact on property worth can be more effectively examined and assessed from a property investment perspective. A series of relationships between sustainability and the functional performance of a property are theorized. A set of parameters quantifying the impact of that functional performance on rental growth and depreciation are then developed. The main findings are that sustainability is pertinent to property investment and can be analysed in relation to potential impact on standard investment appraisal variables. The paper presents a model for doing this as a foundation from which further work can be developed. Two example appraisals are presented to demonstrate the approach developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of emerging, novel processing techniques such as high hydrostatic pressure or pulsed electric fields can be utilized to replace, enhance or modify conventional techniques of food production. In addition to quality improvements and consumer benefits by gentle microbial inactivation and improvement of mass transfer processes, their potential to improve energy efficiency and sustainability of food production will be discussed within this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rate of growth in UK commercial energy consumption since the early 1970s has been approximately three times greater than in the domestic sector. Consumption is projected to continue growing faster than in all other sectors except transport. Increasing floor space has been accompanied by rising energy intensity in many commercial buildings. In the office sector, demand for air conditioning has grown rapidly, and this is associated with a dramatic increase in CO[sub 2] emissions. Significant cost-effective CO[sub 2] savings have been identified in the sector, using readily available technologies. The Climate Change Levy, and questions of comfort, health and productivity among workers, are pushing energy issues up the agenda for many businesses. However positive action is impeded by barriers in the commercial property sector, such as conflicts of interest between landlords and tenants, poor information and professional conservatism. These barriers act to limit energy efficiency investment, to the detriment of building occupants and wider society for generations to come. These problems will limit the efficacy of existing initiatives that aim to curb commercial sector energy use. The Association for the Conservation of Energy considers that new legislation is needed. This would require freeholders to improve the energy efficiency of their new and existing buildings, in consultation with occupiers and/or unions. Further research is needed on options for sharing the costs and benefits with occupiers and/or energy service companies. Depuis le début des années 1970, le taux de croissance de la consommation énergétique commerciale au Royaume-Uni a étéprès de trois fois supérieure àcelui de la consommation du secteur domestique. Il devrait continuer à crôitre plus vite que dans tous les autres secteurs, à l'exception des transports. L'augmentation de la surface utile par personne s'est accompagnée d'un accroissement de l'intensité énergétique dans de nombreux bâtiments commerciaux. Dans le secteur des immeubles de bureaux, la demande en climatisation s'est accélérée et s'est donc traduite par une augmentation spectaculaire des émissions de CO[sub 2]. Les technologies existantes permettent de lutter avec efficacité et à moindre coût contre ces émissions. Le problème des changements climatiques, ainsi que les questions de confort, d'hygiène et de productivité chez les travailleurs, mettent en avant les questions d'énergie dans de nombreuses entreprises. Or, des actions positives sont confrontées à des obstacles dans le secteur de la propriété commerciale; c'est le cas des conflits d'intérêts entre propriétaires et locataires, de la médiocrité de l'information et du conservatisme professionnel. Ces obstacles gênent les investissements axés sur une amélioration du rendement énergétique, au détriment des occupants des bâtiments et d'une plus grande sociétépour les générations àvenir. Ils iront àl'encontre des initiatives existantes dont l'objectif est de freiner la consommation de l'énergie dans le secteur commercial. L'Association pour la Conservation de l'Énergie estime que cette nouvelle législation est nécessaire. Il faudrait pour cela que les propriétaires fonciers améliorent l'efficacité énergétique de leurs bâtiments, anciens et nouveaux, en concertation avec les occupants et/ou leurs syndicats. Il faut conduire d'autres recherches sur les options concernant le partage des coûts et des bénéfices avec les occupants et (ou) avec les entreprises de services énergétiques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnitude and implications for the construction industry of reductions in carbon dioxide emissions that will ultimately be required globally and in industrialized countries are critically examined. As a result of the problem of climate change, these reductions are found to be in the region of 80–90% by 2050 – much larger than those presently under discussion in national and global political fora. The technological feasibility of buildings with low energy requirements and low carbon emissions suggests that existing technology is capable of delivering reductions in this range. Unfortunately, the progress that is being made at the cutting edge is, with very few exceptions, not carried over into building stocks as a whole. Regulatory, fiscal and market-based policy and strategy mechanisms for improving the performance both of new build and the existing stock are critically examined. The achievement of meaningful reductions will require a coordinated and strategic approach, which makes use of the complementarity between these mechanisms. Regulation alone, in the absence of clear and consistent price signals provided through mechanisms such as carbon taxation, is unlikely to deliver the reductions in carbon emissions that will be needed to stabilize the global atmosphere and climate. L'ampleur et les implications pour l'industrie de construction des réductions des émissions de dioxyde de carbone qui seront généralement exigées en fin de compte font l'objet d'un examen critque dans les pays industrialise s. Suite au problème des changements de climat, on a trouvé qu'en 2050 ces réductions d'émissions devraient se situer dans une zone de 80 à 90 % – c'est à dire, beaucoup plus grands que celle qu'on trouve dans les discussions et symposiums politiques nationaux et mondiaux. La faisabilité technologique de constructions nécessitant peu d'énergie et à faible émission de carbone suggére que la technologie actuelle est capable d'apporter des solutions à ces réductions. Malheureusement, à de rares exceptions prés, les progrés qui sont faits dans ces domaines de pointe ne sont pas appliqués dans leur totalité au secteur du bâtiment. La politique coordinatrice et fiscale, basée sur le marché ainsi que les mécanismes stratégiques visant à améliorer les performances concernant aussi bien les nouvelles constructions que celles existantes, sont examinés d'une façon critique. L'obtention de réductions significatives exigera une approche coordonnée et stratégique mettant en oeuvre ces deux mécanismes comple mentaires. La seule réglementation, en l'absence d'arguments de prix clairs et cohérents comme par exemple la taxation sur l'oxyde de carbone, ne va vraisemblablement pas entrâner les réductions d'émissions de gaz carbonique qui seraient nécessaires afin de stabilizer l'atmosphère et le climat au niveau mondial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]