Thermogravitational Convective Flow and Energy Transport in an Electronic Cabinet with a Heat-Generating Element and Solid/Porous Finned Heat Sink

Heat transfer enhancement poses a significant challenge for engineers in various practical fields, including energy-efficient buildings, energy systems, and aviation technologies. The present research deals with the energy transport strengthening using the viscous fluid and solid/porous fins. Numerical simulation of natural convective energy transport of viscous fluid in a cooling cavity with a heat-generating element placed in a finned heat sink was performed. The heat-generating element is characterized by constant volumetric heat generation. The Darcy–Brinkman approach was employed for mathematical description of transport processes within the porous fins. The governing equations formulated using the non-primitive variables were solved by the finite difference method of the second-order accuracy. The influence of the fins material, number, and height on the flow structure and heat transfer was also studied. It was found that the mentioned parameters can be considered as control characteristics for heat transfer and fluid flow for the cooling system.

Application of Artificial Neural Networks in the Urban Building Energy Modelling of Polish Residential Building Stock

The development of energy-efficient buildings and sustainable energy supply systems is an obligatory undertaking towards a more sustainable future. To protect the natural environment, the modernization of urban infrastructure is indisputably important, possible to achieve considering numerous buildings as a group, i.e., Building Energy Cluster (BEC). The urban planning process evaluates multiple complex criteria to select the most profitable scenario in terms of energy consumption, environmental protection, or financial profitability. Thus, Urban Building Energy Modelling (UBEM) is presently a popular approach applied for studies towards the development of sustainable cities. Today’s UBEM tools use various calculation methods and approaches, as well as include different assumptions and limitations. While there are several popular and valuable software for UBEM, there is still no such tool for analyses of the Polish residential stock. In this work an overview on the home-developed tool called TEAC, focusing on its’ mathematical model and use of Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). An exemplary application of the TEAC software is also presented.

Environmental and Economic Optimisation of Buildings in Portugal and Hungary

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a scientific method for evaluating the environmental impact of products. Standards provide a general framework for conducting an LCA study and calculation rules specifically for buildings. The challenge is to design energy-efficient buildings that have a low environmental impact, reasonable costs, and high thermal comfort as these are usually conflicting aspects. Efficient mathematical optimisation algorithms can be applied to such engineering problems. In this paper, a framework for automated optimisation is described, and it is applied to a multi-story residential building case study in two locations, Portugal and Hungary. The objectives are to minimise the life cycle environmental impacts and costs. The results indicate that optimum solutions are found at a higher cost but lower global warming potential for Portugal than for Hungary. Optimum solutions have walls with a thermal transmittance in the intervals of 0.29–0.39 and 0.06–0.19 W/m2K for Portugal and Hungary, respectively. Multi-objective optimisation algorithms can be successfully applied to find solutions with low environmental impact and an eco-efficient thermal envelope.

The Design of Boarding School in Simanindo, Samosir (Green Architecture)

Simanindo is one of the priority areas that is the heart of tourist destinations on Lake Toba because of the potential for beautiful landscapes, cultural heritage, and city landmarks that show the existence of Toba Batak culture. In terms of the education sector, Simanindo residents generally complete primary and secondary education. This is because the educational infrastructure in the Simanindo sub-district is inadequate. Boarding schools can be a solution to educational problems in Simanindo District with a design concept that uses a green architectural approach to create a school that is energy efficient, safe, and environmentally friendly. The data collection method used is qualitative that collects the data and information about the condition directly from the community about the behavior observed in the region thoroughly, a field survey and then clarified with image and video documentation, as well as by collecting secondary data through studies and case study literature. Boarding School in Simanindo, Samosir Regency as an energy efficient and environmentally friendly school by maximizing the use of natural lighting and ventilation, reducing the use of chemicals, and maximizing the use of local vegetation in accordance with the context of the surrounding environment which is dominated by the function of green open spaces. This research is expected to be able to explain the application of green architecture in educational buildings that can create energy-efficient buildings and follow the cultural context in the surrounding environment.

The Effect of Density on the Delicate Balance between Structural Requirements and Environmental Issues for AAC Blocks: An Experimental Investigation

Among other construction materials, Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) offers several advantages to face the pressing need to build more sustainable and energy-efficient buildings. From the building side, the low thermal conductivity of AAC allows the realization of energy-efficient building envelopes, with interesting savings in terms of heating and cooling processes. The equilibrium between structural performances (related to safety issues) and energy efficiency requirements is, however, very delicate since it is strictly related to the search for an “optimum” material density. Within this context, this work discusses the results of wide experimental research, showing the dependency of the most important mechanical properties (compressive strength, elastic modulus, flexural strength and fracture energy) from density, as well as the corresponding variation in thermal conductivity. In order to identify the better compromise solution, a sort of eco-mechanical index is also defined. The big challenge for future researches will be the improvement of this eco-mechanical index by working on pore structure and pore distribution within the material without significantly reducing the density and/or by improving the strength of the skeleton material.