• Energy Research
• 7. Clean energy close
• 12. Responsible consumption close
• IT close
• Polytechnic University of Turin close

Abstract Breastshot water wheels are gravity hydraulic machines employed in low head sites. The scope of this work is to test the performance of a breastshot water wheel with two geometric inflow configurations: a sluice gate at different openings and two vertical overflow weirs. With the sluice gate, the maximum efficiency of the plant is 75%, constant over a wide range of flow rates, while the efficiency with the weir is increasing in the same flow rate range. Therefore, the wheel with the weir can exploit higher water volumes, and also it performs better at high power input. In practical applications, the inflow configuration can be effectively controlled to optimize the operative working conditions of breastshot water wheels, depending on the external hydraulic ones. The experimental results are also discussed in dimensionless terms, in order to support engineers in the design of similar breastshot water wheels.

Abstract This paper presents a theoretical and experimental investigation about the modelling of a 1:45 scale prototype Wave Energy Converter (WEC). An analytical model is implemented to describe its behaviour in a wave tank. The aim is to provide a contribution to modelling tools used for WEC characterisation and design. Hydrodynamic characterisation software is avoided in favour of a simpler and more versatile design tool destined to a wider range of users. Therefore, an alternative approach is presented, based on mechanical analogies and the use of Matlab/Simulink/SimMechanics environment. This analytical model was constructed using linear wave theory, coupled with a non-linear model for the device and its power take-off system (PTO). Assumptions on incident waves and geometric properties of the device were required and implemented on the basis of literature of naval architecture, ships stabilization and control issues. Simulation results were compared and validated with those obtained in the same range of experimental tests of the prototype in wave tank. Trends and values of both investigation techniques show a good agreement, indicating the validity of the methodology adopted and leaving space for future improvements of the same. Finally, as example of application, the model was applied in a show case in order to estimate the energy yield by the WEC if scaled to real size, using Froude scaling. Results are encouraging and show the viability of the proposed design.

The decentralization of the production sector crisis following industries in the suburbs have generated a multitude of empty containers in the medium-large Italian cities, which are abandoned, unsafe, and often dangerous for the community. From this arises the need to recover them and transform them into something else. This is not always possible or interesting for the subjects involved in the transformation. When the abandoned space is (even if only partially) polluted, then any hypothesis of transformation is stopped due to the high impact of decontamination costs, which greatly compromise the profitability of the investment. This paper deals with this issue focusing on a complex case study involving the abandoned area and the buildings of a former paint mill in the center of a typical city in the Turin metropolitan area. The suggested hypothesis is to act only on building components and external areas without any ground modification because of its contamination. Moreover, the new planned use (energy production from renewable sources to supply part of the public administration’s needs) does not foresee neither a stable presence of people nor a further consumption of land. The technical analysis of community energy needs and the subsequent economic and financial study lead to a financial sustainability over a period of about 25 years.

This work presents a project of hi-tech and supergreen ‘nZEB casale’ in Italy. The ‘nZEB casale’ is located in Matera, in the south of Italy. The project concerns the renovation of a medieval ‘casale’, a group of rural houses for residential use. The shape of the new nZEB is in the style of old light-colored buildings, compact and with projections and shielding elements to reduce the summer thermal loads. The use of local and certified materials for the construction of buildings has resulted in a low environmental impact of buildings and an excellent winter and summer energy performance reaching the best energy class A4. Finally, this work presents an environmental protocol to be applied to nZEBs in order to take into account the other benefits of these constructions, as well as the energy benefits.

The development of new methods for the correct disposal of waste is unavoidable for any city that aims to become eco-friendly. Waste management is no exception. In the modern era, the treatment and disposal of infectious waste should be seen as an opportunity to generate renewable energy, resource efficiency, and, above all, to improve the population’s quality of life. Northern Italy currently produces 66,600 tons/year of infectious waste, mostly treated through incineration plants. This research aims to explore a more ecological and sustainable solution, thereby contributing one more step toward achieving better cities for all. Particularly, this paper presents a conceptual design of the main sterilization chamber for infectious waste. The methodology selected was Design Thinking (DT), since it has a user-centered approach which allows for co-design and the inclusion of the target population. This study demonstrates to the possibility of obtaining feasible results based on the user’s needs through the application of DT as a framework for engineering design.

Abstract District Heating (DH) technology is considered to be a sustainable and quasi-renewable way of producing and distributing hot water along the city to heat buildings. However, the main obstacle to wider adoption of DH technology is represented by the thermal request peak in the morning hours of winter days, especially in Mediterranean countries. In this paper, this peak-shaving problem is tackled by combining three different approaches. A thermodynamic model is used to monitor the buildings’ thermal response to energy profile modifications. An agent-based model is adopted in order to represent the end-users and their adaptability to variations of temperatures in buildings. Finally, a Reinforcement Learning algorithm is used to optimally mediate between two needs: on the one hand, a set of anticipations and delays is applied to the energy profiles in order to reduce the thermal request peak. On the other hand, the algorithm learns by trial and error the individual agents’ sensitivity to thermal comfort, avoiding drastic modifications for the most sensitive users. The experiments carried out in the DH network in Torino (north-west of Italy) demonstrate that the proposed approach, compared with a literature solution chosen as a baseline, allows to achieve better results in terms of overall performances and speed of convergence.

Abstract Driven by urbanization growth, in recent years, the relationships among energy systems and underground space are becoming more and more intense for many reasons: the severe competition in the land use, the security of energy commodities management, the need of huge infrastructures for mass and energy transportation (e.g. pipelines), the safety requirements against seismic events and eventually, economic and environmental considerations. For such reasons, nowadays underground space is becoming an extremely important as an alternative for urban areas expansion, if properly planned. In fact, a correct underground space planning strategy, together with the progressive developments of suitable integrated connections between surface and subsurface can increase the livability of cities and improve public health. Population in urban areas is expected to grow, in particular in developing economies (such as China); this phenomenon leads to an increasing pressure on urban areas to supply the growing energy needs. In fact, several end-use services should be fulfilled to provide indoor comfort in buildings, for mobility of people and goods, etc. Anyway, only a very limited amount of energy can be generated inside urban areas (from municipal solid wastes, from thermal/solar PV and heat pumps installations); as a consequence, the majority of the energy commodities are produced, converted and stored in power plants located far from cities and require huge transport infrastructures. In this paper, the cost/benefit relationship between underground and energy use is explained by reviewing main application of existing underground space utilizations for energy processes (distribution, storage and generation), as well as other innovative opportunities. From the analysis of past experiences analysis, the main conclusion is that a rational approach in urban energy planning procedures, integrating both over- and below-ground space utilizations, could help to raise the quality of energy services and it is fundamental for reaching a smarter and more resilient society. In such a new Underground Urbanism approach, the need for long-term Integrated Master Plans that propose suitable Guidelines is highlighted.

In this paper, the design of an event-driven user-centric middleware for monitoring and managing energy consumption in public buildings and spaces is presented. The main purpose is to increase energy efficiency in buildings and public spaces, thus reducing consumption. To achieve this, the proposed service-oriented middleware has been designed to be event based, also exploiting the user behavior patterns of people who live and work in buildings. Furthermore, it allows an easy integration of heterogeneous technologies in order to enable a hardware-independent interoperability between them. Moreover, a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) control strategy has been developed, and the whole infrastructure has been deployed in a real-world case study consisting of a historical building. Finally, the results will be presented and discussed.