scholarly journals The use of building technology to support disaster resilience: the case study of air shelter house

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (02) ◽  
pp. 139-157
Author(s):  
Cristina Pusceddu ◽  
George Blumberg ◽  
Graziano Salvalai ◽  
Marco Imperadori
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Disaster Resilience ◽  
Concept Design ◽  
Layer System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Building Technology ◽  
Efficiency Performance ◽  
Strong Candidate

Purpose This paper aims to report on a study to investigate the feasibility of thermal reflective multi-layer system (TRMS) as support for disaster resilience. Design/methodology/approach It is an innovative insulation system, developed from space engineering studies, is lightweight and is characterised by a thermal conductivity of 0.038 W/mK, making it a strong candidate for inexpensive shelter after disaster design. Findings One of the results of this study is a proposal for the air shelter house, a new concept design of a shelter based on TRMS. Originality/value The combined use of TRMS with the low cost of building materials and a 3D printer system for the construction joints provides a good compromise between building cost and energy efficiency performance. Such an innovative design supports disaster resilience during response, reconstruction and mitigation phases, and it is suitable for a wide variety of cultural and environmental situations where energy efficiency is important.

Does total factor productivity affect the energy efficiency

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salman Haider ◽  
Javed Ahmad Bhat
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Energy Intensity ◽  
Paper Industry ◽  
Labour Productivity ◽  
Efficient Technology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Efficiency Performance ◽  
Energy Efficient Technology

Purpose Because of growing energy consumption and increasing absolute CO2 emissions, the recent calibrations about the environmental sustainability across the globe have mandated to achieve the minimal energy consumption through employing energy-efficient technology. This study aims to estimate linkage between simple measure of energy efficiency indicator that is reciprocal of energy intensity and total factor productivity (TFP) in case of Indian paper industry for 21 major states. In addition, the study incorporates the other control variables like labour productivity, capital utilization and structure of paper industry to scrutinize their likely impact on energy efficiency performance of the industry. Design/methodology/approach To derive the plausible estimates of TFP, the study applies the much celebrated Levinsohn and Petrin (2003) methodology. Using the regional level data for the period 2001-2013, the study employs instrumental variable-generalized method of moments (GMM-IV) technique to examine the nature of relationship among the variables involved in the analysis. Findings An elementary examination of energy intensity shows that not all states are equally energy intensive. States like Goa, Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Tamil Nadu are less energy intensive, whereas Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Assam and Punjab are most energy-intensive states on the basis of their state averages over the whole study period. The results estimated through GMM-IV show that increasing level of TFP is associated with lower level of energy per unit of output. Along this better skills and capacity utilization are also found to have positive impact on energy efficiency performance of industry. However, the potential heterogeneity within the structure of industry itself is found responsible for its higher energy intensity. Practical implications States should ensure and undertake substantial investment projects in the research and development of energy-efficient technology and that targeted allocations could be reinforced for more fruitful results. Factors aiming at improving the labour productivity should be given extra emphasis together with capital deepening and widening, needed for energy conservation and environmental sustainability. Given the dependence of structure of paper industry on the multitude of factors like regional inequality, economic growth, industrial structure and the resource endowment together with the issues of fragmented sizes, poor infrastructure and availability and affordability of raw materials etc., states should actively promote the coordination and cooperation among themselves to reap the benefits of technological advancements through technological spill overs. In addition, owing to their respective state autonomies, state governments should set their own energy saving targets by taking into account the respective potentials and opportunities for the different industries. Despite the requirement of energy-efficient innovations, however, the cons of technological advancements and the legal frameworks on the employment structure and distributional status should be taken care of before their adoption and execution. Originality/value To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that empirically examines the linkage between energy efficiency and TFP in case of Indian paper industry. The application of improved methods like Levinsohn and Petrin (2003) to derive the TFP measure and the use of GMM-IV to account for potential econometric problems like that of endogeneity will again add to the novelty of study.

Hygro-Thermal Behaviour of Timber Frame Straw Bale Construction as an Energy Efficient Building Technology

2014 ◽  
Vol 1041 ◽  
pp. 92-95
Author(s):  
Tomasz Bernard ◽  
Azra Korjenic
Keyword(s):  
Building Materials ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Base Plate ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Timber Frame ◽  
Building Technology ◽  
Roof Structure ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Passive Houses ◽  
Straw Bale

Due to an increasing request for ecological building constructions, in particular straw bale buildings, a research in this regard has been performed at the Vienna University of Technology. Straw bale construction is a new rediscovered building technology, which is an alternative to conventional construction technologies. The aim of this study is caring out of hygro-thermal simulation of a straw bale wall construction to design as efficiently as possible straw bale house. The choose of other construction elements for a thermal analysis (appropriate wall, roof and a base plate construction), was based on an extensive literature researche. For the examination of the building a timber frame construction has been selected. The straw bales in this construction were plastered inside with clay plaster and externally with a combination of lime and clay plaster. The roof structure was designed as a green roof and insulated with straw bales. The base plate was also insulated with straw bales. To check the thermal behavior of the structures described above were thermal bridges calculated using a FEM program. The hygrothermal behavior was calculated with HAM4D building physic software, developed on the department for Buildings Physics and Sound Protection on Vienna University of Technology. Ecological and economic evaluation of straw bale construction was carried out with reference to the data from the literature. The performed thermal (with COMSOL) and the first hygrothermal calculations (with HAM4D Software) have demonstrated a very favorable performance of the proposed building components. The achieved low U-values ​​of the components allow the construction of passive houses. The use of self-build-service in the construction process can reduce construction costs significantly. The use of ecological materials such as: straw, clay and wood allows a low cost recycling of building materials.

Improving energy efficiency of HVAC systems in buildings: a review of best practices

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Kwame Simpeh ◽  
Jon-Patrick George Pillay ◽  
Ruben Ndihokubwayo ◽  
Dorothy Julian Nalumu
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Hvac Systems ◽  
Energy Usage ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Improve Energy Efficiency ◽  
Smart Technologies

PurposeHeating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems account for approximately half of all energy usage in the operational phase of a building's lifecycle. The disproportionate amount of energy usage in HVAC systems against other utilities within buildings has proved a huge cause for alarm, as this practice contributes significantly to global warming and climate change. This paper reviews the status and current trends of energy consumption associated with HVAC systems with the aim of interrogating energy efficiency practices for improving HVAC systems' consumption in buildings in the context of developing countries.Design/methodology/approachThe study relied predominantly on secondary data by analysing the relevant body of literature and proposing conceptual insights regarding best practices for improving the energy efficiency of HVAC systems in buildings. The systematic review of the literature (SLR) was aided by the PRISMA guiding principle. Content analysis technique was adopted to examine germane scholarly articles and finally grouped them into themes.FindingsBased on the SLR, measures for enhancing the energy efficiency of HVAC systems in buildings were classified based on economic considerations ranging from low-cost measures such as the cost of tuning the system, installing zonal control systems, adopting building integrated greenery systems and passive solar designs to major approaches such as HVAC smart technologies for energy management which have multi-year pay-back periods. Further, it was established that practices to improve energy efficiency in buildings range from integrated greening system into buildings to HVAC system which are human-centred and controlled to meet human modalities.Practical implicationsThere is a need to incorporate these energy efficiency practices into building regulations or codes so that built environment professionals would have a framework within which to design their buildings to be energy efficient. This energy efficient solution may serve as a prerequisite for newly constructed buildings.Originality/valueTo this end, the authors develop an integrated optimization conceptual framework mimicking energy efficiency options that may complement HVAC systems operations in buildings.

Analysis on Waterproof and Drainage Systems of Pit House in the West of Henan Province

2012 ◽  
Vol 238 ◽  
pp. 482-485
Author(s):  
Gui Xiu Wang ◽  
Hong Guang Li
Keyword(s):  
Catchment Area ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Henan Province ◽  
Concept Design ◽  
Water Drainage ◽  
The West ◽  
Water Seepage ◽  
Building Technology ◽  
Water Shutoff ◽  
Drainage Design

This paper analyzes on the unique concept, design and construction of waterproofing and drainage of Pit House in the west of Henan Province, China. The drainage design of Pit House concentrates on the water shutoff for controlling of catchment area and preventing rainwater flooding, the water drainage for draining water from roof, and the water seepage for draining off rain from underground courtyard. The waterproof mainly focuses on the protection to key waterproof parts of building materials and easy ways of building technology.

Energy efficiency practices for Malaysian green office building occupants

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 134-146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chukwuka Christian Ohueri ◽  
Wallace Imoudu Enegbuma ◽  
Russell Kenley
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Office Buildings ◽  
Strategy Training ◽  
Office Building ◽  
Performance Gap ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Behavioural Strategy ◽  
Reduce Energy Consumption

Purpose Green building construction was adopted as a strategy to reduce energy consumption and the overall impact of the built environment on our natural environment. However, in Malaysia, previous studies have reaffirmed that green office buildings consume a substantial amount of energy, compared to their counterparts in Singapore. Moreover, there is still a significant performance gap between predicted energy measurements and actual operational energy consumption of green office buildings in Malaysia, due to occupants’ behavioural discrepancies. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to develop energy efficiency practices for occupants of green office buildings in Malaysia. The developed practices integrate technology, organisation policy, and occupants’ behavioural strategies, in order to reduce the energy consumption of green office buildings in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach To achieve the research goal, a mixed (quantitative and qualitative) research method was used to collect data from the research population. In total, 53 respondents working in a green office building complex in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia were surveyed using a questionnaire. Additionally, three top management staff of the green office building and two Malaysian construction professionals were interviewed. The study adopted convenience sampling technique in selecting the research respondents. The data from the questionnaire were analysed using SPSS software (version 22) while the interview data were analysed via thematic content analysis. Findings The findings suggest that the integration of technological strategy (use of BIM tools, sustainable building materials, etc.); organisational strategy (develop, implement and evaluate action plans, use of monitor/control systems, etc.); and occupants behavioural strategy (training, incentives, occupants energy efficiency guide, etc.) will critically reduce energy consumption of green office buildings in Malaysia. Originality/value Based on the findings, energy efficiency practices are developed to guide occupants in reducing the energy consumption of green office buildings in Malaysia. This strategy will contribute to reducing the performance gap that exists between predicted energy and actual energy use of green office buildings in Malaysia. However, the developed energy efficiency practices need to be validated to ascertain its workability in the green office building context.

The drivers and challenges of improving the energy efficiency performance of listed pre-1919 housing

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-305 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Rispoli ◽  
Samantha Organ
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Energy Calculation ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Improve Energy Efficiency ◽  
Efficiency Performance ◽  
Heritage Buildings ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Existing Housing

Purpose Concerns about climate change and the availability of energy has resulted in countries setting targets to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. A large proportion of energy is consumed by existing housing. Europe has a large proportion of historic housing, some of which also represent significant value in relation to historical, cultural and/or architectural importance. Upgrading their energy efficiency whilst retaining their significance is crucial for the sustainability of heritage buildings. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the challenges and barriers to improving the energy efficiency of listed pre-1919 housing. Design/methodology/approach The research utilised semi-structured interviews to explore the debates surrounding sustainability and conservation, identifying the key drivers and barriers to achieving a balance between these concepts. Findings Concern about climate change and the desire to preserve a heritage asset were the main drivers to balancing sustainability with conservation through energy efficiency improvements. The main challenges included the risk of detrimentally affecting the significance of the building, the lack of communication and collaboration between stakeholders, the availability of adequately skilled professionals and the lack of appropriate energy efficiency solutions for heritage buildings. The cost of improvements was found to be both a barrier and driver. Originality/value Heritage buildings perform differently to their modern counterparts and therefore the measures the authors apply to these historic properties must be done with sufficient understanding of this difference. Such measures must be compatible with these buildings in line with conservation principles. Further, the discussion of developing an alternative version of energy calculation for these buildings should be entered into.

Life cycle assessment of earthen materials for low-cost housing a comparison between rammed earth and fired clay bricks

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamed Nouri ◽  
Majid Safehian ◽  
Seyed Majdeddin Mir Mohammad Hosseini
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Assessment ◽  
Life Cycle ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Construction Materials ◽  
Embodied Energy ◽  
Rammed Earth ◽  
Energy Calculation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Clay Bricks

PurposeAlthough the use of diverse types of bricks as the primary construction materials has been considered for many years, vernacular earthen materials are also widely used for construction with low potential environmental impacts in developing countries. In this study, the life cycle of two types of building materials for wall building is investigated.Design/methodology/approachFor this purpose, life cycle carbon emissions (LCCO2) are compared and embodied energy calculation for rammed earth and fired clay bricks as two construction materials. The complete construction chain using rammed earth, as a modern norm, and fired clay bricks, as the most common construction materials in buildings, is investigated in this research.FindingsStudies on the constructions in Kashan city in the north of Isfahan province, Iran, as a case study, showed that replacing the fired bricks with rammed earth would reduce the CO2 emissions up to 1,245 kg/ton and 4,646 MJ/ton (i.e. more than 95%) of the embodied energy. It also shows that the choice of building materials should be important for building practitioners to consider the environmental impact.Originality/valueThis paper provide life cycle assessment of building materials. The findings of this study help builders and owner to choose sustainable building materials.

Inter-state analysis of energy efficiency- a stochastic frontier approach to the Indian paper industry

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-565 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salman Haider ◽  
Javed Ahmad Bhat
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Production Function ◽  
Labor Productivity ◽  
Energy Intensity ◽  
Paper Industry ◽  
Stochastic Frontier ◽  
Capital Intensity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Effect Model ◽  
Efficiency Performance

Purpose This paper aims to measure the state-level energy efficiency in Indian paper industry and simultaneously explain inter-state variation in efficiency by inefficiency effect model. Three variables, labor productivity, capital intensity and structure of paper industry, are included in inefficiency effect model to assess the likely impact on energy efficiency. Design/methodology/approach Sub-vector input distance function is derived through neo-classical production function which provides measures to estimate energy efficiency. Assuming a translog production function specification, energy efficiency is estimated by using Battese and Coelli (1995) stochastic frontier analysis (SFA). The authors also estimated four other SFA models, and energy efficiency from all the models is compared for robustness checking. Findings The results show the existence of a vast potential to improve energy efficiency. Inefficiency effect model reported a positive impact of structure of the industry and capital intensity on energy efficiency performance, while labor productivity does not have any significant impact on energy efficiency. There exists considerable energy efficiency variation among states. Uttarakhand, Punjab and Orissa are the best performing states while Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Goa have worst energy efficiency performance based on average efficiency. The ranks assigned to states according to inefficiency effects model are found contrary to the simple measure of energy efficiency, i.e. energy intensity. Thus, energy intensity may not always be a good proxy for underlying energy efficiency and need to be compared with a comprehensive possible measure. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study which measures energy efficiency of Indian paper industry through stochastic frontier model using region-level data. Instead of relying on traditional energy efficiency indicators (energy-output ratio), total-factor energy efficiency approach is used to conduct the empirical exercise. Deviations from the frontier because of factors beyond the scope of producers are also incorporated into analysis to portray the magnitude of random factors in influencing the efficiency performance.

scholarly journals A numerical analysis on energy-efficiency performance of temperature swing adsorption for CO 2 capture

2017 ◽  
Vol 142 ◽  
pp. 3200-3207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junnan He ◽  
Shuai Deng ◽  
Li Zhao ◽  
Ruikai Zhao ◽  
Shuangjun Li
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Temperature Swing ◽  
Efficiency Performance ◽  
Temperature Swing Adsorption

Using the private finance initiative for energy efficiency projects at the urban scale

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto De Marco ◽  
Giulio Mangano ◽  
Fania Valeria Michelucci ◽  
Giovanni Zenezini
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Light Emitting Diode ◽  
Project Finance ◽  
Private Finance Initiative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Light Emitting ◽  
Alternate Forms ◽  
Private Investors

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to suggest the usage of the project finance (PF) scheme as a suitable mechanism to fund energy efficiency projects at the urban scale and present its advantages and adoption barriers. Design/methodology/approach – A case study is developed to renew the traffic lighting system of an Italian town via replacement of the old lamps with new light-emitting diode (LED) technology. Several partners are involved in the case project to construct a viable PF arrangement. Findings – The case study presents the viability of the proposed PF scheme that provides for acceptable financial returns and bankability. However, it also shows that the need for short concession periods may call for a public contribution to the initial funding to make the project more attractive to private investors. Practical implications – This case study is a useful guideline for governments and promoters to using the PF arrangement to fund energy efficiency investments in urban settings. It helps designing an appropriate PF scheme and understanding the advantages of PF to reduce risk and, consequently, increase the debt leverage and profitability of energy efficiency projects. Originality/value – This paper contributes to bridging the gap about the lack of works addressing the implementation of the PF mechanism in the energy efficiency sector in urban areas. The importance of this paper is also associated with the shortage of traditional public finance faced by many cities that forces to seek for alternate forms of financing.

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