• Energy Research
• engineering and technology close
• EU close
• PL close

One of the most important issues concerning the national energy policy in Poland is planning of development of municipal energy infrastructure by local authorities. However, many munici- palities do not have strategic plans for supplying local residents and businesses in energy. In addition, those plans that exist are usually very simplified, vague and imprecise. It is mainly due to not applying by local authorities optimizing tools during the planning process (intuition or following of others is the base instead). In this context, research on the possibility of modeling and optimization of local energy systems development seems an interesting and important is- sue. In this paper the authors present a mathematical optimization model which seems to suit well the needs of local authorities with respect to the strategic plans of local energy infrastruc- ture development. The concept of the model may be a good starting point to create a complex, user friendly, easy to learn and municipality oriented software tool for the optimization of local energy infrastructure development.

One of the most important issues concerning the national energy policy in Poland is planning of development of municipal energy infrastructure by local authorities. However, many munici- palities do not have strategic plans for supplying local residents and businesses in energy. In addition, those plans that exist are usually very simplified, vague and imprecise. It is mainly due to not applying by local authorities optimizing tools during the planning process (intuition or following of others is the base instead). In this context, research on the possibility of modeling and optimization of local energy systems development seems an interesting and important is- sue. In this paper the authors present a mathematical optimization model which seems to suit well the needs of local authorities with respect to the strategic plans of local energy infrastruc- ture development. The concept of the model may be a good starting point to create a complex, user friendly, easy to learn and municipality oriented software tool for the optimization of local energy infrastructure development.

The 2030 zero-net emission target in the E.U. demands a significant improvement in the energy performance of the building stock. This study analyses the adoption of connected thermostats and Home energy-management system solutions (HEMS) as an effective means to tackle the residential energy footprint. It reviews the main features of HEMS systems in terms of technology, cross-study performances, and the obstacles to widespread adoption; the study adopts the case-study methodology to examine the impact on the Italian real estate stock at a regional level. A matrix of adoption scenarios assesses the potential benefits of global residential energy savings, weighted by local climatic variations, dimension, number of single dwellings, and average primary energy reduction per household. Results demonstrate that all adoption scenarios dramatically reduce residential energy consumption, outperforming the E.U. targets for Italy by 2030.

The 2030 zero-net emission target in the E.U. demands a significant improvement in the energy performance of the building stock. This study analyses the adoption of connected thermostats and Home energy-management system solutions (HEMS) as an effective means to tackle the residential energy footprint. It reviews the main features of HEMS systems in terms of technology, cross-study performances, and the obstacles to widespread adoption; the study adopts the case-study methodology to examine the impact on the Italian real estate stock at a regional level. A matrix of adoption scenarios assesses the potential benefits of global residential energy savings, weighted by local climatic variations, dimension, number of single dwellings, and average primary energy reduction per household. Results demonstrate that all adoption scenarios dramatically reduce residential energy consumption, outperforming the E.U. targets for Italy by 2030.

Abstract This paper investigated the cooling performance of a high-efficiency dew-point evaporative cooler with optimised air and water flow arrangement using the combined experimental and numerical simulation method. The experimental results showed that the wet-bulb efficiency of the dew-point evaporative cooler was increased by 29.3% and COP was increased by 34.6%, compared to the existing commercial dew point air cooler of the same capacity. An improved two-dimensional, multi-factor engaged numerical model which can scale up and optimize the size and capacity of the cooler was developed. The numerical predictions agreed well with the experimental results, indicating that the cooling rate of the dew-point evaporative cooler is influenced by the dew-point evaporative cooler structure. The cooling efficiency of the dew-point evaporative cooler with corrugated plates is more than 10% higher than with flat plates and the cooling efficiency of the dew-point evaporative cooler with the actual flow arrangement is only 62%–67% that of a dew-point evaporative cooler with an ideal counter-flow arrangement. The cooling efficiency can be improved by increasing the channel length and the air entrance length, and decreasing the channel width and channel gap within a reasonable range.

Abstract This paper investigated the cooling performance of a high-efficiency dew-point evaporative cooler with optimised air and water flow arrangement using the combined experimental and numerical simulation method. The experimental results showed that the wet-bulb efficiency of the dew-point evaporative cooler was increased by 29.3% and COP was increased by 34.6%, compared to the existing commercial dew point air cooler of the same capacity. An improved two-dimensional, multi-factor engaged numerical model which can scale up and optimize the size and capacity of the cooler was developed. The numerical predictions agreed well with the experimental results, indicating that the cooling rate of the dew-point evaporative cooler is influenced by the dew-point evaporative cooler structure. The cooling efficiency of the dew-point evaporative cooler with corrugated plates is more than 10% higher than with flat plates and the cooling efficiency of the dew-point evaporative cooler with the actual flow arrangement is only 62%–67% that of a dew-point evaporative cooler with an ideal counter-flow arrangement. The cooling efficiency can be improved by increasing the channel length and the air entrance length, and decreasing the channel width and channel gap within a reasonable range.

The aim of the article is to present the idea of ​​energy clusters and legislative changes concerning the creation of energy clusters. An attempt was made to theoretically analyze the concept of energy clusters in the light of the amendment to the Act on renewable energy sources (RES). The method of literature review was applied and the most important items concerning the functioning of energy clusters were referred to. Provisions of subsequent RES laws regarding energy clusters were presented, starting from the Act of February 20, 2015, in which the definition of an energy cluster appeared for the first time, and ending with the latest amendment to the Act of February 24, 2022. It was found that the progressing globalization encourages austerity measures, especially in the energy sector, which contributes to the development of the economy. The way to meet the requirements of the European Union regarding increasing the share of renewable energy sources in the energy mix and limiting the consumption of conventional resources may be distributed energy based on the activities of prosumers, which is undoubtedly manifested by energy clusters.

The aim of the article is to present the idea of ​​energy clusters and legislative changes concerning the creation of energy clusters. An attempt was made to theoretically analyze the concept of energy clusters in the light of the amendment to the Act on renewable energy sources (RES). The method of literature review was applied and the most important items concerning the functioning of energy clusters were referred to. Provisions of subsequent RES laws regarding energy clusters were presented, starting from the Act of February 20, 2015, in which the definition of an energy cluster appeared for the first time, and ending with the latest amendment to the Act of February 24, 2022. It was found that the progressing globalization encourages austerity measures, especially in the energy sector, which contributes to the development of the economy. The way to meet the requirements of the European Union regarding increasing the share of renewable energy sources in the energy mix and limiting the consumption of conventional resources may be distributed energy based on the activities of prosumers, which is undoubtedly manifested by energy clusters.