Renewable Energy Sources in the Processes of Thermal Modernization of Buildings—Selected Aspects in Poland

The article presents selected aspects of the energy modernization process of a single-family building, carried out in accordance with the legal regulations of Poland. One of the elements of this process is the use of renewable energy sources in the selection of heat sources. Two variants of thermo-modernization solutions for the tested facility were generated using the CERTO and the Aterm computer program. One was a heat pump, and the second was hybrid, in which the heat pump is supplied with electricity from photovoltaic panels. The key point of considerations was to conduct a comparative analysis of the operating costs of applied solutions. All variants were based on the same output data including the same building materials from which the thermal modernization process was carried out. The only difference was in the use of different types of thermal energy sources. The aim of the article was, therefore, to carry out a comparative analysis of variants of heat sources used in a single-family residential building—heating in a traditional way and through the use of photovoltaic panels and a heat pump. The results of the analysis in the context of benefits obtained from using renewable energy sources for heating residential buildings are discussed. The analysis showed that the simultaneous application of a heat pump and solar collectors in the analyzed building effectively influenced the values of indicators of annual demand for usable, primary, and final energy. The main conclusion of this research is that the amount of final energy demand in the analyzed case decreased from 86.04 kWh/(m2/year) with natural gas to 40.46 kWh/(m2/year) with a heat pump and a solar collector

Renewable Energy Sources in the Processes of Thermal Modernization of Buildings—Selected Aspects in Poland

The article presents selected aspects of the energy modernization process of a single-family building, carried out in accordance with the legal regulations of Poland. One of the elements of this process is the use of renewable energy sources in the selection of heat sources. Two variants of thermo-modernization solutions for the tested facility were generated using the CERTO and the Aterm computer program. One was a heat pump, and the second was hybrid, in which the heat pump is supplied with electricity from photovoltaic panels. The key point of considerations was to conduct a comparative analysis of the operating costs of applied solutions. All variants were based on the same output data including the same building materials from which the thermal modernization process was carried out. The only difference was in the use of different types of thermal energy sources. The aim of the article was, therefore, to carry out a comparative analysis of variants of heat sources used in a single-family residential building—heating in a traditional way and through the use of photovoltaic panels and a heat pump. The results of the analysis in the context of benefits obtained from using renewable energy sources for heating residential buildings are discussed. The analysis showed that the simultaneous application of a heat pump and solar collectors in the analyzed building effectively influenced the values of indicators of annual demand for usable, primary, and final energy. The main conclusion of this research is that the amount of final energy demand in the analyzed case decreased from 86.04 kWh/(m2/year) with natural gas to 40.46 kWh/(m2/year) with a heat pump and a solar collector

Fluorescent Sensor Based on 1<i>H</i>-Pyrazolo[3,4-<i>b</i>]quinoline Derivative for Detecting Zn²⁺ Cations

The photophysical and sensory properties of the donor–acceptor pyrazoloquinoline derivative (PQPc) were investigated using absorption, steady-state, and time-resolved fluorescence measurements. The compound synthesized from commercial, readily available substrates exhibited absorptions in the UV–Vis range, with a maximum of the longwave band around 390 nm. The maximum fluorescence was around 460–480 nm, depending on the solvent. The quantum yield was between 12.87% (for n-hexane) and 0.75% (for acetonitrile) and decreased with increasing solvent polarity. The PET mechanism was implicated as the cause of fluorescence quenching. Divalent ions such as Zn2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Co2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+ were introduced to study the fluorescent response of PQPc. A 13-times increase in fluorescence quantum yield was observed after the addition of Zn2+ ions. Detailed research was carried out for the PQPc-Zn2+ system in order to check the possibility of analytical applications of PQPc as a fluorescent sensor. A detection limit of Zn2+ was set at the value level 1.93 × 10−7 M. PQPc-Zn2+ complexes had a stoichiometry of 1:1 with a binding constant of 859 M−1. Biological studies showed that the sensor was localized in cells near the membrane and cytoplasm and may be used to detect zinc ions in eukaryotic cells

Analiza możliwości poprawy niezawodności napowietrznej linii 15 kV narażonej na katastrofalne oblodzenie w warunkach polskich

The paper is a result of a synergic cooperation of two academic teams, i.e. power engineering and mechanical teams, and a distribution system operator. A real 15 kV overhead line exposed to a catastrophic load of ice and rime was analyzed and three solutions to improve the reliability of the tested object in such conditions were examined. Authors considered: shortening the length of the line spans, heating the main line with increased current and rebuilding the overhead line to a cable line. The researches worked out a FEM model taking into account the newest normatives, simulated the model, experimentally increased the load on the real line with measured wire temperature, and performed multi-variant calculations to determine indicators of reliability, i.e. SAIDI and SAIFI. The analyses were followed by conclusions thanks to which the reliability of power lines exposed to catastrophic icing could be increased. These inferences should be considered and applied by all distribution system operators in Poland.Praca jest efektem synergicznej współpracy dwóch zespołów akademickich: elektroenergetycznego i mechanicznego oraz operatora systemu dystrybucyjnego. Analizie poddano rzeczywistą, napowietrzną linię średniego napięcia 15 kV narażoną na katastrofalne obciążenia lodem i szadzią. Zbadano możliwość zastosowania trzech rozwiązań mogących poprawić niezawodność badanego obiektu w takich warunkach. Rozważono: skrócenie długości przęseł linii, podgrzewanie magistrali zwiększonym prądem roboczym oraz przebudowę linii do linii kablowej. W celu realizacji pracy wykonano badania modelowo-symulacyjne MES z uwzględnieniem najnowszych wytycznych normatywnych, zrealizowano eksperyment dociążenia linii wraz z pomiarem temperatury przewodów oraz przeprowadzono wielowariantowe obliczenia niezawodnościowe prowadzące do wyznaczenia wskaźników SAIDI i SAIFI. W wyniku szczegółowych analiz sprecyzowano wnioski końcowe pozwalające na zwiększenie niezawodności linii elektroenergetycznych narażonych na katastrofalne oblodzenie, które powinny być rozważone i stosowane przez wszystkich operatorów systemów dystrybucyjnych w Polsce

Electricity distribution management Smart Grid system model

This paper presents issues concerning the implementation of Smart Grid solutions in a real distribution network. The main components possible to quick implementation were presented. Realization of these ideas should bring tangible benefi ts to both customers and distribution system operators. Moreover the paper shows selected research results which examine proposed solutions in area of improving supply reliability and reducing energy losses in analysed network

History trumps government unpopularity: the June 2003 Polish EU accession referendum

This analysis explains why Poles voted overwhelmingly to join the EU and how the 50% turnout requirement was achieved fairly easily. It argues that most Poles appeared to accept the historical significance of the referendum and de-coupled the issue of EU membership from that of confidence in an extremely unpopular government. This occurred because most key political and social actors, including the opposition parties, called for a Yes vote, while, at the same time, a vigorous campaign by pro-EU civic organisations presented a ‘non-political’ face to the campaign. Although the No camp made tactical errors and had difficulties staying focused on its main arguments, lack of both access to the public media and a convincing or attractive alternative made it extremely difficult for them to mount an effective campaign. At the same time, the stability of the opinion polls in the years leading up to the referendum suggested that most Poles had already made their minds up about the issue well in advance. In spite of the low levels of trust in political parties, partisan cues appeared to be a better predictor of referendum voting behaviour than socio-economic and demographic factors