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A new concept of a system for Combined Heat and Power generation is presented. The concept is based on hybrid use of two renewable energy sources, direct solar (thermodynamic solar) and biomass (indirect solar energy). Biomass combustion is conducted using a fluidized bed combustor. A second source of energy, given by the direct irradiation of the bed with a concentrated solar radiation, is integrated in the same system, using the fluidized bed as solar receiver. A Stirling engine converts heat into mechanical power. A Scheffler type mirror is adopted to allow irradiation of the system in a fixed focal point. Advantages of the proposed solution are illustrated and some preliminary results on the performance of the system, obtained with a simple model, are presented. The principal improvements with respect to existing systems of similar size and primary energy source are illustrated. The most important are the enhanced heat transfer processes that are realized with the help of the fluidized bed, and the possibility of continuous cogeneration during the day. Different working conditions are considered to estimate the contribution given by the burning of fuel, in presence as well as in absence of sun irradiation (as during the night). The distribution of energy shares among the different flux contributes is reported versus the amount of biomass burned per unit time. The results clearly demonstrate the advantage of coupling, in the same system, two sources for heat generation, thus maintaining the option of producing electricity without the supply of biomass fuel.

In this paper we argue for the need to apply a cognitive approach to understand deep dynamics and determinants of technological evolutions. After examining main contributions from innovation studies to the conceptualization of innovation and change in complex socio-technical environments, we highlight the contribution coming from the application of the cognitive approach to evolutionary studies on technologies and we introduce the concept of technological memory as an interpretative tool to understand those changes. We discuss our hypothesis with reference to several observations carried out in different local contexts – Mexico, India and Italy – in relation to technological change in the water sector. In those cases deliberate attempts to substitute traditional technologies with modern ones led to interesting trajectories of change ranging from the collapse of old technologies to the development of multifaceted hybridization patterns. Tema. Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, 2014: INPUT 2014 - Smart City: planning for energy, transportation and sustainability of the urban system

Laser Grooved Buried Contact (LGBC) solar cell technology is an attractive way for the production of solar cells designed to operate at one sun. Although LGBC cells can have higher efficiency when compared to standard screen-printed solar cells, a more complex manufacturing process is required, increasing their relative costs. In the FP6 EU funded project “Lab2Line,” screen print and LGBC solar cell processing techniques are hybridized in order to produce lower cost high efficiency solar cells processed on large area mono-crystalline wafers, using techniques scalable to industry. Two hybrid approaches have been considered: in the first, screen-print (SP) is applied for both rear and front contacts; in the second process SP is applied only to the rear and then electroless plating is used to form the front contacts. Both Lab2Line hybrid approaches offer high average efficiencies with a small performance distribution, while simultaneously presenting a more compact, cost effective option to production. The combination of SP techniques with LGBC processes and electroless plating has led to a maximum efficiency of 17.34% for the first process and 18% (17.44% average on 171 wafers) for the latter. Modules having such cells result in FF of 79.0% and efficiency of 17.0%. 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition / 5th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, 6-10 September 2010, Valencia, Spain; 1660-1664

The relationship between cities and energy consumption has been of great interest for the scientific community for over twenty years. Most of the energy consumption, indeed, occurs in cities because of the high concentration of human activities. Thus, cities are responsible for a big share of carbon dioxide emissions (CO2). However, the debate on this topic is still open, mainly because of the heterogeneity of published studies in the selection, definition and measurement of the urban features influencing energy consumption and CO2 emissions, as well as in the choice of the energy sectors to be considered, in the territorial scale of analysis, and in the geographical distribution of the sample. Therefore, the goal of this research is to systematize and compare the approach, methodology and results of the relevant literature on the relationship between cities and energy consumption over the last twenty years. Furthermore, this critical review identifies the knowledge gap between what is known and what is still under debate and, based on that, it proposes a conceptual framework that will help to outline a new direction for future research and support local policy makers in the definition of strategies and actions that can effectively reduce urban energy use and CO2 emissions. Tema. Journal of Land Use, Mobility and Environment, Vol 10, No 3 (2017): Methods, tools and best practices to increase the capacity of urban systems to adapt to natural and man-made changes

An accurate evaluation of solar energy production in power grids is a crucial aspect for the optimal exploitation of the available resources and for the effective integration of photovoltaic (PV) generators. This is especially advantageous in a smart grid context where a higher penetration of renewable energy sources is expected combined with distributed intelligence and information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructures. In this paper the nonlinear autoregressive network with exogenous input (NARX) is used to perform hourly solar radiation forecasting, according to a multi-step ahead approach. Temperature has been considered as the exogenous variable in the analysis. The NARX topology selection is supported by a combined use of two techniques: 1. a genetic algorithm (GA)-based optimization technique for the determination of the best weight set and 2. a method that determines the optimal network architecture by pruning it according to the Optimal Brain Surgeon (OBS) strategy. The considered variables are observed at hourly scale in a seven year dataset and the forecasting is done for several time horizons in the range from 8 to 24 hours-ahead. 29th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition; 2574-2579

Adaptive fa��ades can improve the building���s energy efficiency and economics, through their capability to change their behaviour in real time according to indoor-outdoor parameters, by means of materials, components, and systems. Therefore, adaptive fa��ades can make a significant and viable contribution to meeting the EU��s 2020 targets. Several different types of adaptive fa��ade concepts have already been developed, and an increase in emerging, innovative solutions is expected in the near future. According to recent research, the word ���adaptive��� in the context of building fa��ades is often associated in the literature with a long list of similar words. Moreover, there is no consistent definition of fa��ade adaptability, although studies exist in relation to characterisation issues, design parameter, and classification. Even within the discipline of architecture and engineering, words such as ���smart���, ���intelligent���, ���interactive���, ���adaptive���, or ���responsive��� have been used loosely and interchangeably, creating confusion as to their specific meaning and their conceptual relationship to building performance and design. In response to this, the goal of this paper is to build a provisional lexicon, or descriptive, behavioural, and methodological words, to assist researchers and designers in navigating the field of high-performance fa��ades that incorporate materially innovative and feedback-based systems. It offers a brief overview of current advances in this nascent and rapidly evolving field and articulates a broader conceptual territory for the word ���adaptive���, used in many cases to describe the technological systems that interact with the environment and the user by reacting to external influences and adapting their behaviour and functionality. The objective of this paper is to contribute to these developments by presenting the findings. Furthermore, common definitions will be proposed, based on the characterisation design parameters, classification approaches, and real case studies. Journal of Facade Design and Engineering, Vol. 6 No. 3 (2018): Special Issue FA��ADE 2018 ��� Adaptive!

We conducted a non-hypothetical choice experiment through a second price sealed bid experimental auction (Vickrey auction) to estimate the willingness to pay (WTP) to buy a new functional snack made with white lupine and citrus fiber, which are ingredients with high fiber content. A sample of 289 consumers were surveyed in Bologna and Catania in July 2015. The results confirm that consumers are willing to pay to buy functional foods, especially those who are looking for innovative products that are not influenced by the opinions of others in the buying decision. In addition, WTP did not depend exclusively on the functional properties but also on other characteristics such as appearance and taste of the snack. Italian Review of Agricultural Economics, Vol 70 No 3 (2015)