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The EFQM excellence model is a famous quality management tool. We have translated it to be useful in e-learning quality management. EFQM will be used as a framework for self-evaluation. We developed the e-learning stakeholder model. We identified the main criterion and positioned them in the stakeholder model.We present short the Kirkpatrick evaluation model of e-learning.We developed a Kirkpatrick-EFQM self-assessment framework. We propose the limited learner-centric self-assessment framework. A preliminary set of quality criteria have been identified for self-assessment by the learners.

The EFQM excellence model is a famous quality management tool. We have translated it to be useful in e-learning quality management. EFQM will be used as a framework for self-evaluation. We developed the e-learning stakeholder model. We identified the main criterion and positioned them in the stakeholder model.We present short the Kirkpatrick evaluation model of e-learning.We developed a Kirkpatrick-EFQM self-assessment framework. We propose the limited learner-centric self-assessment framework. A preliminary set of quality criteria have been identified for self-assessment by the learners.

This issue of Catalysis Today presents a selection of contributions to the 11th International Symposium on the Scientific Bases for the Preparation of Heterogeneous Catalysts (PREPA11), held on the campus of the “Université catholique de Louvain” (UCL) in Louvain- la-Neuve, Belgium, on July 6–10,2014. This series of symposia was initiated in 1975 on a regular 4-year interval basis. Previous proceedings of these symposia have been published in Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis. As for previous editions, this 11th symposium was made possible thanks to the organizational skills of the members of the research groups active in heterogeneous catalysis of the “Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences” of the UCL and the “Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis” of the University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Belgium. Only the oral communications and some selected posters were invited to contribute to the present publication. The submitted full manuscripts then followed a systematic and strict peer-reviewing procedure carried out by recognized experts in the field. In order to maintain a high scientific level,3 referees, and sometimes more, were invited to evaluate the manuscripts. In the end, the issue gathers 28 contributions.

This issue of Catalysis Today presents a selection of contributions to the 11th International Symposium on the Scientific Bases for the Preparation of Heterogeneous Catalysts (PREPA11), held on the campus of the “Université catholique de Louvain” (UCL) in Louvain- la-Neuve, Belgium, on July 6–10,2014. This series of symposia was initiated in 1975 on a regular 4-year interval basis. Previous proceedings of these symposia have been published in Studies in Surface Science and Catalysis. As for previous editions, this 11th symposium was made possible thanks to the organizational skills of the members of the research groups active in heterogeneous catalysis of the “Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences” of the UCL and the “Centre for Surface Chemistry and Catalysis” of the University of Leuven, KU Leuven, Belgium. Only the oral communications and some selected posters were invited to contribute to the present publication. The submitted full manuscripts then followed a systematic and strict peer-reviewing procedure carried out by recognized experts in the field. In order to maintain a high scientific level,3 referees, and sometimes more, were invited to evaluate the manuscripts. In the end, the issue gathers 28 contributions.

Energy performance regulations for buildings are continuously updated. Projections within the future are being made, fixing now what will be the standards for new buildings for the following decades. The construction sector itself is also evolving, trying not only to follow those new rules, but often trying to look ahead, developing, testing and launching today the prototypes of tomorrow’s buildings and components. To optimise public and private decision making, one has to analyse both the current status as well as the ongoing evolutions and the interactions between the market and the regulatory framework. Within this scope, analyses are conducted in Flanders on the EPBD-database, which contains detailed data on all new residential buildings since 2006. The analysis presented in this paper shows the impact and importance of specific regulations and incentives. In spite of the tightening regulations, huge discrepancies remain visible between a small yet increasing group of low energy, and passive house ‘pioneers’ and premium hunters, as opposed to a trailing group, flirting with the legally imposed limits. The analysis of the data therefore proves the role of as well as some challenges for future decision making, while quantifying the real status and evolutions of the building sector.

Energy performance regulations for buildings are continuously updated. Projections within the future are being made, fixing now what will be the standards for new buildings for the following decades. The construction sector itself is also evolving, trying not only to follow those new rules, but often trying to look ahead, developing, testing and launching today the prototypes of tomorrow’s buildings and components. To optimise public and private decision making, one has to analyse both the current status as well as the ongoing evolutions and the interactions between the market and the regulatory framework. Within this scope, analyses are conducted in Flanders on the EPBD-database, which contains detailed data on all new residential buildings since 2006. The analysis presented in this paper shows the impact and importance of specific regulations and incentives. In spite of the tightening regulations, huge discrepancies remain visible between a small yet increasing group of low energy, and passive house ‘pioneers’ and premium hunters, as opposed to a trailing group, flirting with the legally imposed limits. The analysis of the data therefore proves the role of as well as some challenges for future decision making, while quantifying the real status and evolutions of the building sector.

Office buildings in Chile show higher cooling than heating energy demand. The climate of the country show important differences between cities by the ocean and those of interior regions, located between the coastal and the Andes range. Main cities of Central Chile, where more than 40% of buildings are constructed every year are Santiago and Valparaíso, both located at around 33° S. Santiago presents a Mediterranean climate, with a high temperature oscillation between day and night during cooling period. Valparaíso, by the coast, shows lower temperature fluctuation compared with Santiago during identical period. In order to define design strategies for energy efficiency of office buildings in mentioned cities, a sensitivity study has been made, considering variables like size of windows (window to wall ratio), type of windows (clear and selective glazing, including low e, single and double glazing), use and type of solar protection and use of nocturnal or diurnal ventilation. In opaque facades (walls and roofs), thermal insulation is considered. In case of walls, in order to increase thermal inertia external insulation is assumed. The sensitivity analysis is developed considering a square building containing office rooms on all four orientations. This10 story building has been specially proposed and designed for this analysis. Methodology considers an evaluation of heating and cooling demand of the building in both cities. For this purpose, a simulation software under dynamic conditions has been used (TAS of Environmental Design Solutions Limited). The lowest cooling energy demand is reached when using the lowest window to wall ratio (20%), with solar protection in east, west and north oriented glazed areas. In fact, fully glazed facades in both cities are not recommended. Nocturnal ventilation was highly effective for decreasing cooling demand in both cities. In the case of Valparaíso, due to relatively low temperature during cooling period (maximum lower than 26°C), diurnal ventilation for cooling purposes is also effective.

Office buildings in Chile show higher cooling than heating energy demand. The climate of the country show important differences between cities by the ocean and those of interior regions, located between the coastal and the Andes range. Main cities of Central Chile, where more than 40% of buildings are constructed every year are Santiago and Valparaíso, both located at around 33° S. Santiago presents a Mediterranean climate, with a high temperature oscillation between day and night during cooling period. Valparaíso, by the coast, shows lower temperature fluctuation compared with Santiago during identical period. In order to define design strategies for energy efficiency of office buildings in mentioned cities, a sensitivity study has been made, considering variables like size of windows (window to wall ratio), type of windows (clear and selective glazing, including low e, single and double glazing), use and type of solar protection and use of nocturnal or diurnal ventilation. In opaque facades (walls and roofs), thermal insulation is considered. In case of walls, in order to increase thermal inertia external insulation is assumed. The sensitivity analysis is developed considering a square building containing office rooms on all four orientations. This10 story building has been specially proposed and designed for this analysis. Methodology considers an evaluation of heating and cooling demand of the building in both cities. For this purpose, a simulation software under dynamic conditions has been used (TAS of Environmental Design Solutions Limited). The lowest cooling energy demand is reached when using the lowest window to wall ratio (20%), with solar protection in east, west and north oriented glazed areas. In fact, fully glazed facades in both cities are not recommended. Nocturnal ventilation was highly effective for decreasing cooling demand in both cities. In the case of Valparaíso, due to relatively low temperature during cooling period (maximum lower than 26°C), diurnal ventilation for cooling purposes is also effective.

In view of global targets to expurgate the carbon foot prints, presently major focus is on integrating prosumer renewable energy sources (RES). This has caught more interest in studying the impacts of AC and DC micro grid. Looking at the advantages of power transformers for stepping up and down the voltages, AC grids seem favorable for transmitting power over long distances, but AC grids are also often subjected to difficulties associated with them such as frequency dip, voltage drop due to line impedance, skin effect and Ferranti effect etc. Most of the sources and loads, particularly the renewables like solar, battery etc., in a micro grid are basically DC in nature and their operating voltages are low. Considering the conversion losses and transformer cost combined with problems of AC grid, DC micro grids are catching attention and their analysis is thus required. This paper presents the controls of various types of distributed generation sources (DGs) including renewable energy sources (RES) so as to integrate them to form a micro-grid. The AC and DC micro-grid models have been developed and its performance is assessed. Stability analysis is performed on both AC and DC micro-grid during permanent faults, temporary faults and sudden load variations to have a comparative outcome for selection of a better micro-grid.