• Energy Research

There is a growing concern about the scarcity of water resources due to population growth and increased demand for potable water. Thus, the rational use of water has become necessary for the conservation of such resources. The objective of this study is to estimate the potential for potable water savings in buildings of different sectors—residential, public and commercial—in the city of Florianópolis, southern Brazil, by using stormwater harvested from porous pavements. Models were constructed to assess infiltration and rainwater quality; samples of stormwater from a local road were collected to evaluate its quality; and computer simulation was performed to assess the potential for potable water savings and rainwater tank sizing. Draining asphalt concrete slabs with two types of modifiers were used, i.e., tire rubber and SBS polymer—styrene-butadiene-styrene. The Netuno computer programme was used to simulate the potential for potable water savings considering the use of rainwater for non-potable uses such as flushing toilets and urinals, cleaning external areas, and garden watering. Average stormwater infiltration was 85.4%. It was observed that stormwater is not completely pure. From the models, the pH was 5.4 and the concentrations of ammonia, phosphorus, nitrite, and dissolved oxygen were 0.41, 0.14, 0.002, and 9.0 mg/L, respectively. The results for the stormwater runoff of a paved road were 0.23, 0.11, 0.12, 0.08, 1.41, 2.11, 0.02, and 9.0 mg/L for the parameters aluminium, ammonia, copper, chromium, iron, phosphorus, nitrite, and dissolved oxygen, respectively; and the pH was 6.7. In the city of Florianópolis, which has a surface area of paved roads of approximately 11,044,216 m², the potential for potable water savings ranged from 1.2% to 19.4% in the residential sector, 2.1% to 75.7% in the public sector and 6.5% to 70.0% in the commercial sector.

There is a growing concern about the scarcity of water resources due to population growth and increased demand for potable water. Thus, the rational use of water has become necessary for the conservation of such resources. The objective of this study is to estimate the potential for potable water savings in buildings of different sectors—residential, public and commercial—in the city of Florianópolis, southern Brazil, by using stormwater harvested from porous pavements. Models were constructed to assess infiltration and rainwater quality; samples of stormwater from a local road were collected to evaluate its quality; and computer simulation was performed to assess the potential for potable water savings and rainwater tank sizing. Draining asphalt concrete slabs with two types of modifiers were used, i.e., tire rubber and SBS polymer—styrene-butadiene-styrene. The Netuno computer programme was used to simulate the potential for potable water savings considering the use of rainwater for non-potable uses such as flushing toilets and urinals, cleaning external areas, and garden watering. Average stormwater infiltration was 85.4%. It was observed that stormwater is not completely pure. From the models, the pH was 5.4 and the concentrations of ammonia, phosphorus, nitrite, and dissolved oxygen were 0.41, 0.14, 0.002, and 9.0 mg/L, respectively. The results for the stormwater runoff of a paved road were 0.23, 0.11, 0.12, 0.08, 1.41, 2.11, 0.02, and 9.0 mg/L for the parameters aluminium, ammonia, copper, chromium, iron, phosphorus, nitrite, and dissolved oxygen, respectively; and the pH was 6.7. In the city of Florianópolis, which has a surface area of paved roads of approximately 11,044,216 m², the potential for potable water savings ranged from 1.2% to 19.4% in the residential sector, 2.1% to 75.7% in the public sector and 6.5% to 70.0% in the commercial sector.

The main objective of this work is to analyse the potential for potable water savings in university buildings by using stormwater collected from permeable pavements. Six buildings located on the campus of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) were selected to obtain monthly water consumption patterns and parking lot areas. The same six buildings were then evaluated considering their location in eight different cities in Brazil, with different rainfall patterns. Simulations using the computer programme Netuno were run to obtain the potential for potable water savings in each building and city combined. The structural design of permeable pavements was also assessed using two methods available in the literature, that is, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and Brazilian Portland Cement Association (ABCP). The hydrological-hydraulic design of the permeable pavement was also carried out. The designed thicknesses were compared with the thicknesses obtained using the computer programme Permeable Design Pro. The potential for potable water savings between 18.4% and 84.8% was obtained, depending on the city, building and non-potable water demand considered. For the structural design, the thicknesses obtained by using both methods were similar; however, it was observed that the AASHTO method better represents the pavement model. Regarding the hydrological-hydraulic design, the differences obtained show that the simplification performed for the pavement drainage was in favour of safety. In conclusion, the use of permeable pavements in stormwater harvesting systems is promising, aligning the drainage aid, structural capacity and potential for saving potable water.

The main objective of this work is to analyse the potential for potable water savings in university buildings by using stormwater collected from permeable pavements. Six buildings located on the campus of the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) were selected to obtain monthly water consumption patterns and parking lot areas. The same six buildings were then evaluated considering their location in eight different cities in Brazil, with different rainfall patterns. Simulations using the computer programme Netuno were run to obtain the potential for potable water savings in each building and city combined. The structural design of permeable pavements was also assessed using two methods available in the literature, that is, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and Brazilian Portland Cement Association (ABCP). The hydrological-hydraulic design of the permeable pavement was also carried out. The designed thicknesses were compared with the thicknesses obtained using the computer programme Permeable Design Pro. The potential for potable water savings between 18.4% and 84.8% was obtained, depending on the city, building and non-potable water demand considered. For the structural design, the thicknesses obtained by using both methods were similar; however, it was observed that the AASHTO method better represents the pavement model. Regarding the hydrological-hydraulic design, the differences obtained show that the simplification performed for the pavement drainage was in favour of safety. In conclusion, the use of permeable pavements in stormwater harvesting systems is promising, aligning the drainage aid, structural capacity and potential for saving potable water.

With the rapid global expansion of road networks, the asphalt industry faces several environmental challenges, such as material shortages, environmental concerns, escalating material costs, demand for eco-friendly materials, and the implementation of “Net Zero” policies. Given these challenges and recognizing the need to explore new solutions, this research evaluated asphalt binder samples incorporating Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) and Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), or WMA-RAP. The assessment focused on analyzing the physical, rheological, and permanent deformation characteristics of WMA-RAP samples containing 20%, 35%, and 50% recycled pavement. The study utilized a chemical surfactant-type WMA additive, Evotherm® P25. The findings showed that the WMA-RAP combination resulted in increased stiffness ranging from 247% to 380% and a reduced phase angle of 16% to 26% with an increasing RAP content from 20% to 50% at Tref 20 °C and 10 Hz. Furthermore, the penetration decreased from 20% to 47%, and the softening point increased from 7% to 17%. An improvement of 2 PGHs was observed by adding 35% and 50% RAP. Additionally, WMA samples containing up to 50% RAP presented more elevated permanent deformation resistance, supporting traffic levels of 64V or 70H. WMA-RAP binders allow mixture production at lower temperatures—an amount of 30 °C less—conserving energy and decreasing the need for new aggregate materials by incorporating recycled materials, thus minimizing the environmental impact.

With the rapid global expansion of road networks, the asphalt industry faces several environmental challenges, such as material shortages, environmental concerns, escalating material costs, demand for eco-friendly materials, and the implementation of “Net Zero” policies. Given these challenges and recognizing the need to explore new solutions, this research evaluated asphalt binder samples incorporating Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) and Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), or WMA-RAP. The assessment focused on analyzing the physical, rheological, and permanent deformation characteristics of WMA-RAP samples containing 20%, 35%, and 50% recycled pavement. The study utilized a chemical surfactant-type WMA additive, Evotherm® P25. The findings showed that the WMA-RAP combination resulted in increased stiffness ranging from 247% to 380% and a reduced phase angle of 16% to 26% with an increasing RAP content from 20% to 50% at Tref 20 °C and 10 Hz. Furthermore, the penetration decreased from 20% to 47%, and the softening point increased from 7% to 17%. An improvement of 2 PGHs was observed by adding 35% and 50% RAP. Additionally, WMA samples containing up to 50% RAP presented more elevated permanent deformation resistance, supporting traffic levels of 64V or 70H. WMA-RAP binders allow mixture production at lower temperatures—an amount of 30 °C less—conserving energy and decreasing the need for new aggregate materials by incorporating recycled materials, thus minimizing the environmental impact.

Abstract One of the main inequalities in Brazil is related to electricity access and distribution. On average, 99.7% of the population have access to some type of energy, varying from 99.1% to 99.9% among the Brazilian states. However, 600 thousand Brazilians still have no access to electricity. This paper aims to relate the distribution of electricity to social and spatial inequalities in Brazilian regions. An evaluation concerning the Brazilian region's population, territorial area, and per capita income was performed. Regarding electricity access and distribution, an extensive assessment of the current Brazilian electricity sector was carried out. The findings showed that the north and northeast regions have lower per capita income, lower electricity consumption and lower electricity access than the other regions. Improving quality of life, job offer, and access to education are challenges to be faced, but the energy policy in Brazil does not yet properly contemplate these.

Abstract One of the main inequalities in Brazil is related to electricity access and distribution. On average, 99.7% of the population have access to some type of energy, varying from 99.1% to 99.9% among the Brazilian states. However, 600 thousand Brazilians still have no access to electricity. This paper aims to relate the distribution of electricity to social and spatial inequalities in Brazilian regions. An evaluation concerning the Brazilian region's population, territorial area, and per capita income was performed. Regarding electricity access and distribution, an extensive assessment of the current Brazilian electricity sector was carried out. The findings showed that the north and northeast regions have lower per capita income, lower electricity consumption and lower electricity access than the other regions. Improving quality of life, job offer, and access to education are challenges to be faced, but the energy policy in Brazil does not yet properly contemplate these.