Review of NZEB Criteria: Design of Life Containers in Operations Area

The Spanish Ministry of Defense is currently attempting to reduce the amount of energy that is consumed by its military bases and has therefore raised concerns about how to make their facilities more energy efficient. To fulfill this objective, the Spanish army has developed various studies and projects, as well as a technical prescription sheet that defines the thermal transmittance values of the materials that are to be used to construct the different elements of the containers that make up the temporary housing units at Spanish military camps. Both governments and private entities have developed initiatives that are aimed at improving the energy efficiency of buildings, which are classified into two groups: those aimed at the development of mandatory building codes and those that are based on voluntary certification programs. The use of passive strategies is one of the key actions that is being implemented to achieve the NZEB category, as its first requirement is to be a “very low energy consumption building”. This paper compares the energy efficiency requirements of the tents and containers that are used in military camps and the energy-efficient design requirements that are demanded by the energy efficiency standards for buildings in the civil sector. Through this comparison, we determine how energy efficient the current living spaces in military camps are in order to define strategies that can be implemented to improve the design requirements of these living spaces so to reduce the consumption and operation logistics and to improve both operability and safety in military camp facilities.

Least cost analysis for Canadian new housing : identifying the most cost-effective specifications to achieve improved energy efficiency standards

This thesis presents the methodology developed to identify the most cost-effective specifications that could be applied to the currently practiced new housing constructions in Canada to achieve improved energy efficiency standards, while maintaining an adequate level of thermal comfort. The results showed that, based on the life cycle cost analysis of 30 years, the optimal solutions (or upgrades) comprised of improvement in the thermal resistance of the building envelope, and installation of the most efficient heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems, resulting in up to 31% reductions in the estimated annual energy consumption and the greenhouse gas emissions, while achieving an EnerGuide Rating of 8, thereby meeting the new requirements of the upcoming 2012 Ontario Building Code. With the installation of a residential photovoltaic system, the estimated profit of up to $89,035 could be achieved through Ontario's micro Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) program, allowing a homeowner to pay for the implementation of additional upgrade(s).

Least cost analysis for Canadian new housing : identifying the most cost-effective specifications to achieve improved energy efficiency standards

This thesis presents the methodology developed to identify the most cost-effective specifications that could be applied to the currently practiced new housing constructions in Canada to achieve improved energy efficiency standards, while maintaining an adequate level of thermal comfort. The results showed that, based on the life cycle cost analysis of 30 years, the optimal solutions (or upgrades) comprised of improvement in the thermal resistance of the building envelope, and installation of the most efficient heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems, resulting in up to 31% reductions in the estimated annual energy consumption and the greenhouse gas emissions, while achieving an EnerGuide Rating of 8, thereby meeting the new requirements of the upcoming 2012 Ontario Building Code. With the installation of a residential photovoltaic system, the estimated profit of up to $89,035 could be achieved through Ontario's micro Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) program, allowing a homeowner to pay for the implementation of additional upgrade(s).

Eco-design and eco-manufacturing consulting microenterprises as part of the circular economy strategy - role and risks

Over the last decades, a high degree of importance was given to the sustainable development of our world. At European level, the European Union developed a series of standards and fiscal regulations in order to support the achievement of sustainable development goals. An important step is the transition from a linear economy to a circular economy and a primary role in this transition is played by the adaptation of design and manufacturing processes to modern environmental and energy efficiency standards. This process of transformation can be achieved either by an internal department working within the company or by a specialised third-party consulting company. The second option is preferable due to the fact that it does not require a further specialisation process for some employees in order to enable the company to develop a project. As a response to these market requirements, at a European level, within the Common Market, specialised consulting companies started to emerge and develop. This paper details the role and the risks a consulting services microenterprise active in the field of eco-design and eco-manufacturing has to assume in the current socio-economic context; particularly in regard to factors that facilitate the transition from a linear economy to a circular economy.

Unions and the green transition in construction in Europe: Contrasting visions

The construction industry, responsible for 40 percent of European Union (EU) end-use emissions, is targeted as a major area of transformation particularly through the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive requiring nearly zero energy building (NZEB). Through a case study approach, union responses to EU strategy on the implementation of energy efficiency standards are evaluated in Denmark, Germany, Italy and UK (Scotland), presenting a varied picture, from minimal acknowledgement to broad support along the lines of ecological modernization to radical transformation. Radical appraisals of the industry and its exploitative and high-carbon practices are rare, though engaging with the employment and vocational education and training (VET) implications. The article presents a labour-centred alternative to a technical-driven transition agenda, focusing on how the labour process needs to change in a sector dominated by small firms, self-employment, a fragmented labour process and often low levels of VET.

Spatial and Behavioral Thermal Adaptation in Net Zero Energy Buildings: An Exploratory Investigation

Climate responsive design can amplify the positive environmental effects necessary for human habitation and constructively engage and reduce the energy use of existing buildings. This paper aims to assess the role of the thermal adaptation design strategy on thermal comfort perception, occupant behavior, and building energy use in twelve high-performance Belgian households. Thermal adaptation involves thermal zoning and behavioral adaptation to achieve thermal comfort and reduce energy use in homes. Based on quantitative and qualitative fieldwork and in-depth interviews conducted in Brussels, the paper provides insights on the impact of using mechanical systems in twelve newly renovated nearly- and net-zero energy households. The article calls for embracing thermal adaptation as a crucial design principle in future energy efficiency standards and codes. Results confirm the rebound effect in nearly zero energy buildings and the limitation of the current building energy efficiency standards. The paper offers a fresh perspective to the field of building energy efficiency that will appeal to researchers and architects, as well as policymakers.