Modelling a Damper‑Optimized Demand Control Ventilation System During a Fire

Modern heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems have evolved from simple on-off, fan-driven systems to highly complex, energy-optimized systems involving sensors monitoring the building whose outputs result in dynamic changes to the HVAC system operation. In some buildings, the HVAC system is intended to aid in smoke and pressure control during the event of a fire. In such a case, the smoke, heat, and pressure from fire growth and spread interact with the HVAC system, while the control logic may react to the fire alarm and increase ventilation rates. A series of tests investigating the performance of modern damper-optimized demand control ventilation (DCV) systems during a fire and its effect on smoke and pressure control was recently performed. This paper examines the ability of Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) to model a DCV HVAC system undergoing a dynamic response change due to the presence of fire. Results show that the FDS HVAC model is capable of such simulations. However, there were challenges in the modelling process due to the limitations on the experimental data obtained from the real-world building management system software. A path forward for more complete simulations is identified.publishedVersio

Thermal design of an ejector-supported cycle using krypton for cooling of particle detector accelerators

According to the High-Luminosity plan (HL-LHC) the Large Hadron Collider will be upgraded to further extend physics discoveries (2033–2034). The increase of the luminosity is followed by an increase of the radiation damage on the silicon sensors used to detect those particles, which they must be preserved from the thermal runaway after which the sensors reach electrical breakdown. The future upgrade will require to the cooling system temperature levels ranging from -60 to -80 °C, currently unattainable by the CO2 cooling technology (2PACL). From a previous study the noble gas krypton was selected for the thermal management of future detectors as working medium. To meet the requirements of the new generation of particle accelerators, a new ejector-supported cooling system was proposed. In this work, thermal design of the innovative ejector cycle was carried out starting from the detector. The semi-passive detector loop was first designed to ensure optimal working conditions of the detector. Liquid krypton is supplied to the detector by the ejector, maintaining a constant pressure lift independently of the operating temperature, with a flow variation not exceeding 4.3 % of the design value. The boundary conditions expressed by pressure, density and flow rates will serve as inputs for the design of the adjustable geometry ejector. To verify the thermal stability along the detectors, development of a control strategy to handle setpoint changes and sudden change in the cooling power is also addressed. The off-design case with fluctuating heat loads shows an offset in the evaporating temperature below 0.3 K. © 2025Thermal design of an ejector-supported cycle using krypton for cooling of particle detector acceleratorspublishedVersio

Policies shaping energy transitions in ports and harbours: A 'whole systems' perspective from Norway

Current climate and energy policies aim for zero emission ports, emphasizing their key role in sustainable energy transition. However, the future demand and supply of energy is uncertain. The long-term interaction between transition policies, regulations, and techno-economic trends is difficult to foresee, making it challenging for ports to prioritise between alternative solutions and strategies. Moreover, ports are situated in local contexts, with different resources and capabilities. This paper reviews policy trends at the international, EU, and national levels, using Norway as the case in point. We apply a socio-technical 'whole systems' perspective to shed light on the current policy mix interacting with the energy system around ports, and the opportunities and challenges this implies for port companies. The discussion is based on a systematic reading of current policy documents, and interviews and workshops with four Norwegian ports. We consider interactions across production, distribution, and use of energy, paying special attention to the changing couplings between these subsystems. Based on the identified scope and strategies, we argue that more effort should be made to strengthen ports’ capabilities as interface actors. The paper contributes to current research on complex system interaction by providing an empirical study illuminating the dynamic interplay between institutional, technological, and actor-based couplings in ‘whole systems’ change. © 2025 The AuthorsPolicies shaping energy transitions in ports and harbours: A 'whole systems' perspective from NorwaypublishedVersio

Alvorlige ulykker i fiskeflåten – årsaker og tiltak - Oppsummerende faglig sluttrapport

Denne rapporten oppsummerer resultater fra FHF-prosjektet «Alvorlige ulykker i kystfiskeflåten – årsaker og tiltak». Prosjektet har bidratt med oppdatert kunnskap om årsaker til ulykker og sikkerhetsutfordringer i arbeidsmiljøet og forslag tiltak for å redusere risikoen for personskader. Det er utarbeidet årsakskart for fem ulykkeshendelser: forlis, fisker over bord, fall om bord, slag-/klemulykker og drukning i havn. For hver hendelse er tiltak innenfor fem kategorier beskrevet: arbeidspraksis, arbeidsplass, arbeidsbekledning og personlig verneutstyr, opplæring og kompetanse, og rammebetingelser og regulering. Sentrale interessenter som direkte eller indirekte kan påvirke sikkerheten i fiskeflåten er også kartlagt. Rapporten beskriver også behov for videre FoU-arbeid innen HMS i fiskeflåten.Alvorlige ulykker i fiskeflåten – årsaker og tiltak - Oppsummerende faglig sluttrapportpublishedVersio

Reduction of MnO Using a Thermal Hydrogen Plasma

Hydrogen (H2) plays an important role in meeting the demand for carbon-free steels. When reduction is done with H2, harmless water is released as the off-gas, instead of CO2 generated by reduction with carbon. While steel can be produced using H2, many of its alloying elements cannot. As a result, fully carbon-free steel production necessitates a carbon-free production of its alloying elements. An important alloying element for steel, manganese (Mn), is subject to thermodynamic limitations that makes reduction with H2 infeasible. If instead a much more reactive hydrogen plasma is used these thermodynamic limitations would disappear. The current work shows an in-depth investigation into the reduction of manganese oxide (MnO) by a thermal hydrogen plasma under various conditions. By passing H2 through a plasma torch before it contacts an MnO-containing slag, formation of metallic Mn was achieved with a hydrogen-based reductant. Investigating the reduced samples with an electron probe micro analyser (EPMA) the amount of Mn formation in different conditions is mapped out. The reduction was found to be favoured when the torch was operated with a transferred arc mode, and for slags high in MnO, if the melting point was not too high. While the research into reduction of stable oxides with thermal hydrogen plasmas is still in an early stage and there are many unanswered questions, the work presented demonstrates the possibility of hydrogen-based manganese production.publishedVersio

Datakilder for sporings- og aktivitetsdata fra myke trafikanter

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Hva må til for å akselerere omstilling av norsk havnesektor? Omstillingsagenda for tre norske havner Bodø, Kristiansand og Borg

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Methodology for assessment of coastal fishing electrification and Grid Implications

The paper makes an assessment of the gradual transition to electric propulsion of vessels involved in coastal fishing nearby the Lofoten archipelago, one of the principal fishing grounds in Norway. The study considers the electrification from the power grid perspective and develops a methodology for predicting the future energy demand growth patterns from the fishing vessels, using publicly available data for fish deliveries in Norway. These data were applied to a logistic growth model to outline the future path for the electrification. Furthermore, the impact of the predicted electricity demand on the existing power grid is investigated in two representative cases in Lofoten: a small harbour and an island with estimated emissions of 361 tons and 13,870 tons per year, which can be removed by full conversion to zero-emission propulsion. The island is supplied with electricity from the mainland via a submarine cable with limited capacity and receives high volumes of fish delivered by various types of vessels, corresponding to a peak energy demand of 650 MWh per day. On the other hand, the small harbour has a limited residential load and very seasonal fish delivery patterns with a corresponding peak energy demand of 48 MWh per day. Although the current grid is highly stable in both locations today, the power flow analysis indicates that these two cases represent different challenges and opportunities, which should be considered prior to the electrification. Based on these findings, the study outlines viable and sustainable decarbonisation paths for different vessel groups involved in coastal fishing, considering available capacities of the existing power grid infrastructure.Methodology for assessment of coastal fishing electrification and Grid ImplicationspublishedVersio

Anbefalt metode for beregning av utslipp fra strøm og fjernvarme. Oppsummering og anbefaling på tvers av studier i FME ZEN

FME ZEN har som en sentral del av sitt mandat hatt i oppgave å utvikle kunnskap om hvordan man kan oppnå netto nullutslippsområder (ZEN), med tanke på klimagassutslipp fra utbyggingsprosjekter i våre byer og tettsteder. Direkte og indirekte utslipp knyttet til energibruk i slike prosjekter utgjør en hovedandel av samlede utslipp. Derfor er det essensielt at man kan samles om omforente prinsipper og metodikk for beregning av utslipp fra strøm og fjernvarme, både i dag og frem i tid for et område. Senteret har gjennom årene hatt flere delprosjekt som har omhandlet dette, noen med avansert modellering og metodeutvikling, andre med beregninger for hva som vil være utslippsnivået for ZENpiloter forutsatt at noen beregningsmetoder benyttes eller der alternative metoder sammenlignes. I tillegg forholder man seg til NS3720:2018 Klimagassberegninger for bygninger, som nå er under revisjon, og Senteret ser behov for å gi forskningsbaserte innspill til utformingen av ny standard. Denne vil også bli viktig i implementeringen av ny teknisk forskrift etter TEK17, og for den fremtidige implementeringen av EUs reviderte bygningsenergidirektiv EPBD:2023. Dette notatet gir et sammendrag og endelig anbefaling av metoder for å beregne utslipp fra bruk av strøm og fjernvarme i ZEN-prosjekter, på tvers av øvrige studier og rapporter i FME ZEN. Notatet er utarbeidet av Senterets arbeidsutvalg for ZEN-definisjonen, som en anbefaling til Senterets ledelse. For utslipp fra strøm har Senteret frem til nå i hovedsak valgt å følge prinsippene i NS3720:2018, men her er det påpekt en inkonsistens i hvordan beregningene utføres som ved eksport av strøm, eksempelvis produsert av solkraft (PV) lokalt i området, gir dobbelt bokføring av klimagevinst. En justert metode (kalt ZEN-c) er derfor foreslått, og beskrevet i ZEN Memo 52, som bør benyttes for å beregne utslippskoeffisienter (gCO2e/kWh) for strøm. Denne er nå bearbeidet videre, til en metode som er anvendbar i praksis og oppsummert i dette notatet. I tillegg er det utviklet en alternativ metode (kalt «Metode 2») for allokering av utslipp uten kompensering som er i tråd med ISO Net Zero Guidelines. For utslipp fra fjernvarme har mye av diskusjonene vært knyttet til hvordan man bør allokere (fordele) utslippene fra avfallsforbrenning når et forbrenningsanlegg leverer varme inn i et fjernvarmenett. Valget av allokeringsprinsipp og allokeringsfaktor vil kunne påvirke mye de samlede utslipp fra et ZENprosjekt der fjernvarme inngår, spesielt frem i tid når utslippene fra bruk av strøm vil måtte reduseres kraftig og det må forventes økt miljømessig konkurranse der utslippsintensiteter kan bli avgjørende for investeringsbeslutninger. Frem til nå har Senteret også her valgt å følge NS3720:2018, som baseres på at alle utslipp fra avfallsforbrenning i et fjernvarmenett skal allokeres til avfallssystemet og ikke til den eventuelle bruken av fjernvarme i et ZEN-prosjekt. Dette er også anbefalingen i ZEN Rapport 61, som med basis i forskningslitteraturen, LCA-metodikk og egne vurderinger gir en systematisk vurdering av alternative allokeringsmetoder. Anbefalingen om full allokering til avfallssystemet ble i denne rapporten likevel gitt med visse reservasjoner, slik at hensynet til ambisiøs energieffektivitet i et ZEN-prosjekt også skal kunne ivaretas når fjernvarme med lave utslipp benyttes. For å sikre seg en enda grundigere vitenskapelig og LCA-faglig tilnærming til hvordan balansere slike hensyn, under alternative forutsetninger for avfallshåndtering og for oppvarming av bygninger, er det etter initiativ fra Arbeidsutvalget for ZEN-definisjonen nylig utført en lovende studie for internasjonal publisering, basert på prinsippet ‘hevdbasert allokering’. Dette notatet oppsummerer denne metoden, og det er utvalgets anbefaling at dette prinsippet velges for allokering for fjernvarme fremover.publishedVersio

The role of integrated shared, demand-responsive transport services in mobility transitions

This paper explores the potential of a novel niche mobility solution, a demand-responsive transport (DRT) service, to address challenges associated with a transition away from car-based transport. The DRT service, piloted in Norway, uses a digital platform for booking and payment, and is designed to transport children to and from leisure activities. Based on interviews and workshops with service providers, transport companies, and different users of the service, the study provides insights into experiences and potentials of the service to outperform car-based transport. Both opportunities and barriers of implementing such a shared mobility services within the current transport system are discussed. The results highlight the need for experimentation beyond technology testing; particularly the need for transformative governance and experimenting with public policy design in order for this type of shared mobility concept to become part of future sustainable transport systems. Based on our findings, we argue that shared mobility solutions could serve multiple societal goals beyond transport, for example social inclusion, that could form the basis for support from other policy domains. Thus, cross-sectoral alignment of policies should be addressed to ensure the long-term viability and success of these servicespublishedVersio