scholarly journals Deep Energy Retrofit of Residential Buildings in the Mediterranean Area: The MedZEB Approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 29-45
Author(s):  
Roberta Capogrosso ◽  
Giulia De Aloysio ◽  
Luca Laghi ◽  
Roberto Malvezzi ◽  
Eraldo Menconi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
List Type ◽  
Fully Integrated ◽  
One Stop ◽  
Building Program ◽  
Deep Retrofit

AbstractMediterranean deep retrofit markets are characterized by common barriers and bottlenecks, which barely have been identified as shared challenges, and this has led to a lack of dedicated solutions and to a substantial delay in achieving the 2020 EU policy targets. This situation is addressed by the H2020 HAPPEN project by proposing a new MedZEB approach characterized by the following features: Holistic, i.e., aimed at integrating the most relevant aspects of the retrofitting supply chain; Transparent, i.e., aimed at putting on the market novel tools for enhancing investors’ trust; Adaptive, i.e., aimed at enhancing “added values” of the retrofitting such as flexibility, well-being, etc. Having arrived at its midpoint, HAPPEN has produced an advanced version of its main outputs, among which are: the HAPPEN cost-optimal technical solutions, developed according to a step-by-step logic; the HAPPEN financial solution, fully integrated with the step-by-step logic, and aimed at funding the retrofitting process by relying on the energy savings achieved; the MedZEB protocol conceived as a guarantee scheme for the achievement of retrofit targets; the HAPPEN platform, an assisted digital marketplace aimed at matching demand and offer according to a one-stop-shop logic, at defragmenting the retrofit value chain, and at supporting actors with dedicated tools. These outputs have been developed also thanks to an extensive living laboratory and pilot-building program, carried out within ten pilot sites across seven EU Med countries; this has made it possible for a large engagement of potential users, which resulted in the ideation of the HAPPEN program, an overall framework aimed at integrating project outputs into an exploitable renovation procedure powered by the HAPPEN platform. This paper describes the first simulation of such a procedure in its entirety based on a real case study. After characterizing the building according to the HAPPEN reference buildings and climates lists, a step-by-step cost-optimal package of solutions was calculated, followed by the application of the HAPPEN financial solution, and by the draft issue of the MedZEB protocol. Results provide the first evidence of the effectiveness of the MedZEB approach in potentially unlocking the deep retrofit market in the Med area, with special attention to the possibility of funding the interventions by relying on the economies generated by the energy savings achieved. Further, the project activities will be aimed at co-creating, together with relevant stakeholders, a go-to-market strategy for the HAPPEN program.

Configurations to Superior Environmental Innovation Strategy: A Both–And Approach

2021 ◽  
pp. 108602662110316
Author(s):  
Tiziana Russo-Spena ◽  
Nadia Di Paola ◽  
Aidan O’Driscoll
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Innovation Strategy ◽  
Environmental Innovation ◽  
Data Set

An effective climate change action involves the critical role that companies must play in assuring the long-term human and social well-being of future generations. In our study, we offer a more holistic, inclusive, both–and approach to the challenge of environmental innovation (EI) that uses a novel methodology to identify relevant configurations for firms engaging in a superior EI strategy. A conceptual framework is proposed that identifies six sets of driving characteristics of EI and two sets of beneficial outcomes, all inherently tensional. Our analysis utilizes a complementary rather than an oppositional point of view. A data set of 65 companies in the ICT value chain is analyzed via fuzzy-set comparative analysis (fsQCA) and a post-QCA procedure. The results reveal that achieving a superior EI strategy is possible in several scenarios. Specifically, after close examination, two main configuration groups emerge, referred to as technological environmental innovators and organizational environmental innovators.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Impacts of Smallholder Farmer’s Participation in Modern Agricultural Value Chain Tactics for Facilitating Poverty Alleviation—A Case Study of Kiwifruit Industry in Shaanxi, China

Agriculture ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 462
Author(s):  
Hongyu Wang ◽  
Xiaolei Wang ◽  
Apurbo Sarkar ◽  
Lu Qian
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Poverty Alleviation ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Multidimensional Poverty ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Reduction Degree ◽  
Poverty Level ◽  
Storage Technology

Market-based initiatives like agriculture value chain (AVC) are becoming progressively pervasive to support smallholder rural farmers and assist them in entering larger market interventions and providing a pathway of enhancing their socioeconomic well-being. Moreover, it may also foster staggering effects towards the post-era poverty alleviation in rural areas and possessed a significant theoretical and practical influence for modern agricultural development. The prime objective of the study is to explore the effects of smallholder farmers’ participation in the agricultural value chain for availing rural development and poverty alleviation. Specifically, we have crafted the assessment employing pre-production (improved fertilizers usage), in-production (modern preservation technology), and post-production (supply chain) participation and interventions of smallholder farmers. The empirical data has been collected from a micro survey dataset of 623 kiwifruit farmers from July to September in Shaanxi, China. We have employed propensity score matching (PSM), probit, and OLS models to explore the multidimensional poverty reduction impact and heterogeneity of farmers’ participation in the agricultural value chain. The results show that the total number of poor farmers who have experienced one-dimensional and two-dimensional poverty is relatively high (66.3%). We also find that farmers’ participation in agricultural value chain activities has a significant poverty reduction effect. The multidimensional poverty level of farmers using improved fertilizer, organizational acquisition, and using storage technology (compared with non-participating farmers) decreased by 30.1%, 46.5%, and 25.0%, respectively. The multidimensional poverty reduction degree of male farmers using improved fertilizer and participating in the organizational acquisition is greater than that of women. The multidimensional poverty reduction degree of female farmers using storage and fresh-keeping technology has a greater impact than the males using storage and improved storage technology. Government should widely promote the value chain in the form of pre-harvest, production, and post-harvest technology. The public–private partnership should also be strengthened for availing innovative technologies and infrastructure development.

scholarly journals Towards Sustainable Energy Retrofitting, a Simulation for Potential Energy Use Reduction in Residential Buildings in Palestine

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3876
Author(s):  
Sameh Monna ◽  
Adel Juaidi ◽  
Ramez Abdallah ◽  
Aiman Albatayneh ◽  
Patrick Dutournie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Simulation Models ◽  
Water Heating ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Space Cooling ◽  
Cooling Loads

Since buildings are one of the major contributors to global warming, efforts should be intensified to make them more energy-efficient, particularly existing buildings. This research intends to analyze the energy savings from a suggested retrofitting program using energy simulation for typical existing residential buildings. For the assessment of the energy retrofitting program using computer simulation, the most commonly utilized residential building types were selected. The energy consumption of those selected residential buildings was assessed, and a baseline for evaluating energy retrofitting was established. Three levels of retrofitting programs were implemented. These levels were ordered by cost, with the first level being the least costly and the third level is the most expensive. The simulation models were created for two different types of buildings in three different climatic zones in Palestine. The findings suggest that water heating, space heating, space cooling, and electric lighting are the highest energy consumers in ordinary houses. Level one measures resulted in a 19–24 percent decrease in energy consumption due to reduced heating and cooling loads. The use of a combination of levels one and two resulted in a decrease of energy consumption for heating, cooling, and lighting by 50–57%. The use of the three levels resulted in a decrease of 71–80% in total energy usage for heating, cooling, lighting, water heating, and air conditioning.

scholarly journals RINNO: Towards an Open Renovation Platform for Integrated Design and Delivery of Deep Renovation Projects

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 6018
Author(s):  
Theo Lynn ◽  
Pierangelo Rosati ◽  
Antonia Egli ◽  
Stelios Krinidis ◽  
Komninos Angelakoglou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Value Chain ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Integrated Design ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Building Stock ◽  
Existing Building ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Regulatory Standards ◽  
Automation Systems ◽  
Wide Range

The building stock accounts for a significant portion of worldwide energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. While the majority of the existing building stock has poor energy performance, deep renovation efforts are stymied by a wide range of human, technological, organisational and external environment factors across the value chain. A key challenge is integrating appropriate human resources, materials, fabrication, information and automation systems and knowledge management in a proper manner to achieve the required outcomes and meet the relevant regulatory standards, while satisfying a wide range of stakeholders with differing, often conflicting, motivations. RINNO is a Horizon 2020 project that aims to deliver a set of processes that, when working together, provide a system, repository, marketplace and enabling workflow process for managing deep renovation projects from inception to implementation. This paper presents a roadmap for an open renovation platform for managing and delivering deep renovation projects for residential buildings based on seven design principles. We illustrate a preliminary stepwise framework for applying the platform across the full-lifecycle of a deep renovation project. Based on this work, RINNO will develop a new open renovation software platform that will be implemented and evaluated at four pilot sites with varying construction, regulatory, market and climate contexts.

scholarly journals Humidity-Sensitive Demand-Controlled Ventilation Applied to Multi-Unit Residential Building – Performance and Energy Consumption in Dfb Continental Climate

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jerzy Sowa ◽  
Maciej Mijakowski
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Ventilation System ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Controlled Ventilation ◽  
Demand Controlled Ventilation ◽  
Continental Climate

A humidity-sensitive demand-controlled ventilation system is known for many years. It has been developed and commonly applied in regions with an oceanic climate. Some attempts were made to introduce this solution in Poland in a much severe continental climate. The article evaluates this system's performance and energy consumption applied in an 8-floor multi-unit residential building, virtual reference building described by the National Energy Conservation Agency NAPE, Poland. The simulations using the computer program CONTAM were performed for the whole hating season for Warsaw's climate. Besides passive stack ventilation that worked as a reference, two versions of humidity-sensitive demand-controlled ventilation were checked. The difference between them lies in applying the additional roof fans that convert the system to hybrid. The study confirmed that the application of demand-controlled ventilation in multi-unit residential buildings in a continental climate with warm summer (Dfb) leads to significant energy savings. However, the efforts to ensure acceptable indoor air quality require hybrid ventilation, which reduces the energy benefits. It is especially visible when primary energy use is analyzed.

scholarly journals Field Study Of A Radiant Heating System For Sleep Thermal Comfort And Potential Energy Saving

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher L. K. Wang
Keyword(s):  
Potential Energy ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Heating System ◽  
The Body ◽  
Radiant Temperature

As sleep is unconscious, the traditional definition of thermal comfort with conscious judgment does not apply. In this thesis sleep thermal comfort is defined as the thermal condition which enables sleep to most efficiently rejuvenate the body and mind. A comfort model was developed to stimulate the respective thermal environment required to achieve the desired body thermal conditions and a new infrared sphere method was developed to measure mean radiant temperature. Existing heating conditions according to building code conditions during sleeping hours was calculated to likely overheat a sleeping person and allowed energy saving potential by reducing nighttime heating set points. Experimenting with existing radiantly and forced air heated residential buildings, it was confirmed that thermal environment was too hot for comfortable sleep and that the infrared sphere method shows promise. With the site data, potential energy savings were calculated and around 10% of energy consumption reduction may be achieved during peak heating.

scholarly journals Issues relating to the efficient application of passive solar protection in multi-family residential buildings

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-16
Author(s):  
Justyna Kobylarczyk ◽  
Janusz Marchwiński ◽  
Katarzyna Zielonko-Jung
Keyword(s):  
Energy Savings ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Thermal Mass ◽  
Functional Specificity ◽  
Characteristic Functional ◽  
Spatial Features ◽  
Venetian Blinds ◽  
Building Facades ◽  
Solar Control ◽  
External Conditions

The following article is intended to discuss the issues concerning the introduction of passive measures aimed at improving solar protection in multi-family buildings. A system of classifying these methods into two groups of solutions (architectural and material-building) was applied. The first group includes issues concerning facade design, the spatial features of which (such as loggias, balconies and other overhangs) can be treated as one of the solar protection methods. The authors’ own studies are presented and expressed in a sequence of formulas. The formulas enable assessment of the effectiveness of the above elements, depending on external conditions. As far as the second group is concerned, material-construction solutions for building facades and roofs are discussed. The solutions mentioned include solar-control glazing, spatial shading elements (such as venetian blinds, roller blinds), roof and façade vegetation, and the thermal mass of the building. The essence of the functioning of the analysed solutions in relation to the characteristic functional specificity of multi-family buildings is discussed. Problematic areas of application of the above methods are indicated. As shown in the study, problematic areas may include a group of utilitarian-operating, economic and aesthetic issues, in the case of which the use of passive solutions encounters limitations. In conclusion, the possibilities for alleviating these limitations are highlighted. The authors’ own solutions presented in the following paper can contribute to energy savings and may thus prove beneficial for environmental reasons, thereby serving the aims of sustainable development.

scholarly journals COVID-19 International Border Surveillance Cohort Study at Toronto’s Pearson Airport

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek Goel ◽  
David Bulir ◽  
Eric De Propetis ◽  
Munaza Jamil ◽  
Laura Rosella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Models ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
List Type ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Loss To Follow Up ◽  
Final Destination ◽  
Airport Terminal ◽  
International Border

AbstractObjectivesThe primary objective was to estimate the positivity rate of air travelers coming to Toronto, Canada in September and October, 2020, at arrival, day 7 and day 14. Secondary objectives were to estimate degree of risk based on country of origin; to assess knowledge and attitudes towards COVID-19 control measures; and subjective well-being during the quarantine period.DesignProspective cohort of arriving international travelers.SettingToronto Pearson Airport Terminal 1, Toronto, Canada.ParticipantsPassengers arriving on international flights. Inclusion criteria were those aged 18 or older who had a final destination within 100 km of the airport; spoke English or French; and provided consent. Excluded were those taking a connecting flight; who had no internet access; who exhibited symptoms of COVID-19 on arrival; or who were exempted from quarantine.Main outcome measuresPositive for SARS-CoV-2 virus on RT-PCR with self-administered nasal-oral swab, and general well-being using the WHO-5 index.ResultsOf 16,361 passengers enrolled, 248 (1·5%, 95% CI 1.3%,1.5%) tested positive. Of these, 167 (67%) were identified on arrival, 67 (27%) on day 7, and 14 (6%) on day 14. The positivity rate increased from 1% in September to 2% in October. Average well-being score declined from 19.8 (out of a maximum of 25) to 15.5 between arrival and day 7 (p<0.001).ConclusionsA single arrival test will pick up two-thirds of individuals who will become positive, with most of the rest detected on the second test at day 7. These results support strategies identified through mathematical models that a reduced quarantine combined with testing can be as effective as a 14 day quarantine.Article SummaryStrengths and limitations of this studyDecisions regarding border restrictions have been based on trial and error and mathematical models with limited empirical data to support such decision-making.This study assessed the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in a cohort of international travellers at arrival, day 7 and 14 of quarantine.It is limited to one airport and there is the potential from bias due to non-participation and loss to follow-up.Self-collected nasal-oral swabs were used which facilitated participation but may have reduced sensitivity.

scholarly journals Implementation of One-Stop Services Policy (PTSP) in North Jakarta City, DKI Jakarta Province

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 381
Author(s):  
Mary Ismowati ◽  
Ahmad Hidayat Rahadian ◽  
Muhammad Ali Massyhury ◽  
Muhammad Rafi Suryadi
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Human Resources ◽  
Fully Integrated ◽  
Online System ◽  
The North ◽  
Doing Business ◽  
One Stop ◽  
Ease Of Doing Business ◽  
The One ◽  
Research Show

The aim of the study was to obtain a formulation of the implementation of the One-Stop Services Policy (PTSP) in the North Jakarta Administrative City, namely the implementation of Perda No. 12 of 2013, and the Implementation of Presidential Regulation No. 91 of 2017 concerning the acceleration of ease of doing business through the implementation of an information technology-based licensing system (OSS). The research method used a qualitative approach by conducting interviews with a number of informants to determine the conditions and phenomena of the implementation of PTSP policies in North Jakarta. The research involved two research members from students in the framework of thesis research. The results of the research show that implementers have understood their duties and functions, but in the smooth running of their duties, they are constrained by a lack of human resources both in quantity and quality, support for information technology equipment that is not up to date, including the availability of information technology personnel at the district and sub-district levels. Then the OSS policy according to PP No. 24/2018 has not been fully effective, because it has not been fully integrated with the existing licensing system in PM-PTSP DKI Jakarta, namely JakEVO. The main obstacle to policy implementation, namely in terms of human resources, employee status has not been transferred to functional positions so that it affects career ranks and motivation. In addition, there is no HR competency standard for services, for online system services are not implemented according to target. The solution to overcome the obstacles conceptually has not been done.

scholarly journals Energy Saving Potential from Shading Design for Residential House in Rural Area

2018 ◽  
Vol 164 ◽  
pp. 01007
Author(s):  
Dany Perwita Sari ◽  
Yun-shang Chiou
Keyword(s):  
Energy Saving ◽  
Rural Area ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Simulation Analysis ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Substantial Impact ◽  
Energy Saving Potential ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Residential House ◽  
Shading Devices

There are some architectural factors in the energy saving design of residential houses in Taiwan. In addition, in rural area, window glazing is a key factor to reducing electricity. For these purposes, a simulation model of exterior shading has been done in this study. Various types of shading devices have been analysed and compared in terms of energy savings. Simulation analysis by DesignBuilder reveals that shading devices has substantial impact to minimizing energy consumption. The results derived in this paper could provide useful suggestions for the shading design of residential buildings at rural area in Taiwan.

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