• Energy Research
• 11. Sustainability close
• EU close
• Energy Procedia close

AbstractThe first year commissioning activities in 4 multi-family buildings from a zero-carbon neighbourhood is presented, with focus on the operation of the ventilation systems, the indoor climate and user acceptance. The key parameters to detect the main system failures are identified and the effect of the detected defects and failures on the energy performance of the dwellings is explored using dynamic simulations and monitoring data. It is concluded that commissioning of the building systems during occupancy is a vital part of the operational lifetime of a building project in order to achieve the high building performance targets in reality.

Abstract Thermostatically controlled loads in commercial buildings are usually ruled by set points indicated by well-established international standards like EN 15251. These thresholds set the acceptable comfort ranges based on several parameters such as activity level, climatic conditions and building orientation. However, there are so many aspects which can affect the occupant perception of comfort ranging from physical and mental aspects to cultural aspects while only few of them are clearly measurable. This paper presents a methodology for the simultaneous subjective and objective evaluation of thermal comfort in commercial buildings. The methodology is based on the intermediate protocol level for the evaluation of thermal comfort as suggested by ASHRAE’s Performance Measurement Protocols for Commercial Buildings. It is applied in the office spaces of the Loccioni Leaf Lab, located in the province of Ancona, Italy, during the summer period. The study is utilized for the identification of serious thermal comfort issues but also for the determination of the preferred comfort conditions in the Leaf Lab office spaces.

AbstractThe energy sustainability, in the era of sources diversification [1], can be guaranteed by an energy resources utilization most correct, foreseeing no predominance of one source over the others in any area of the world but a proper energy mix, based on locally available resources and needs [2]-[4]. In this scenario, manageable with a smart grid system [5], [6], a virtuous use of RES must be visible, recognizable and quantifiable, in one word traceable [7]. The innovation of the traceability concept consists in the possibility of having information concerning the exact origin of the electricity used for a specific end use, in this case EV charging [8]. The traceability, in a context of increasingly sustainability [9], [10] and smartness city, is an important develop tool because only in this way it is possible to quantify the real emissions produced by EVs and to ensure the real foresight of grid load. This paper wants investigate the real ways to introduce this kind of real energy accounting, through the traceability.

AbstractGlobal primary energy demand is growing, and is likely to continue growing during the next years. Energy projections made by the World Energy Council, the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the US Energy Information Administration give similar pictures of future energy requirements, mainly supplied by fossil fuels. Although it is expected that the share of the fossil fuels in the energy mix will decline in the future, the dominant role of fossil fuels will remain for decades to come, which entails large emissions of CO2 if new policy measures are not endorsed. Carbon Capture and Storage technologies (CCS) have the potential to reduce CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, providing by 2050 up to 20% of the CO2 reduction required to combat climate change.In this context, one of the current European initiatives in terms of R&D&D on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Clean Coal technologies (CCTs) is the Technology Development Centre for CO2 Capture and Storage, or es.CO2 Centre, which is supported by the Spanish Government through The Fundacion Ciudad de la Energia (CIUDEN). CIUDEN is a research and development institution created by the Spanish Administration in 2006 and fully conceived for collaborative technology development on CCS and CCTs. The es.CO2 Centre incorporates the world's most advanced equipment for the development of capture processes through oxycombustion based on two combustion technologies: Pulverized Coal (PC) and Circulating Fluidized Bed (CFB).Foster Wheeler is the technology provider of the 30 MWth oxy-CFB unit, which achieved first fire on coal in September 2011 and underwent initial oxy-mode commissioning in December 2011. This CFB unit design allows multiple fuels to be tested either under conventional combustion with air or under oxy-fuel conditions (Flexi-Burn® concept), and combines CFB's intrinsic advantages (fuel flexibility and low SOx and NOx emissions) with oxygen- firing for CCS.This paper focuses on initial operational experiences of CIUDEN's 30MWth oxy-CFB facility. During the preliminary tests in spring 2012, and the first test campaign in summer 2012, an extensive amount of operational data were acquired for four fuels and fuel mixtures. Results from first operational experiences are extremely promising. This oxy-CFB installation, which is the first of its class, will provide a real basis for the design and operation of flexible and competitive oxycombustion facilities at demonstration scale. Results achieved here aim to validate the design of a future 330 MWe supercritical Oxycombustion Power Station (OXY-CFB-300 Compostilla Project) intended to demonstrate CCS technology in commercial scale.

AbstractA methodology, based on the concept of reference building models, was developed and applied in order to provide reliable demand profiles for a block of buildings. A block of buildings in Turin was taken as a case study. An engineering bottom-up approach was developed. A reference building was chosen and calibrated with metered data. Various simulation scenarios were developed and a parametric analysis was carried out. Seasonal heating profiles were generated for the reference building. The parametric analysis indicated the small dispersion of the heating profiles for the various scenarios. A database containing the building's heating profiles was created.

Abstract The Aegean Archipelagos is an island region possessing excellent wind potential, with areas where the long-term average wind speed even exceeds 9m/s. Despite the excellent wind and solar potential of the area, most of the inhabited islands cover their electricity needs by utilizing thermal power stations (mainly diesel or heavy oil based units). In this context, wind power contribution is limited due to the local grid stability constraints, with zero new wind parks installed across the Aegean Archipelago during the last years. To this end, and in an effort to establish the "Green Island" electrification model for the numerous remote islands of Europe, a theoretical model is currently presented for estimating wind energy curtailments of existing and new wind parks. The model is then applied to an existing wind park of 3.6MW, operated in the island of Kos, and results obtained are compared with actual wind energy curtailments faced during a representative year of operation.

AbstractThe issue of resource security has come to the forefront of the debate as Critical Materials (CRM) and Raw Materials (RM) supply is fundamental to maintain and develop EU economy. Considering the increasing scarcity and raising prices of RM, their recycling and recovery from anthropogenic deposits is essential. To date there is no homogeneous inventory available of SRM and CRM present in EU landfills, and best management practices to recover SRM from landfill activities are inefficient. In this context, the EU SMART GROUND project intends to foster resource recovery in landfills by improving the availability and the accessibility of data and information on SRM in the EU.