Improved Building Energy Performance Modelling through Comparison of Measured Data with Simulated Results

This work forms part of the ModBen project conducted by Fraunhofer ISE. This paper aims to compare actual detailed hourly building energy data from a non-residential, demonstration building located in Berlin, with results simulated using IDA-ICE for the same building. The dataset collected at the demonstration building consists of total energy consumption, weather data, indoor conditions and HVAC system parameters, measured in at least hourly time steps. This paper presents the first steps in modelling the building and comparing simulated results to the measured data. The simulated building energy performance results achieved in the first stage of computer modelling show a reasonable correlation with measured data, however, further work is required to create a building model that describes reality to a level suitable for optimisation of controls and various studies on fault detection and diagnosis

Incidence of Post-ablation Syndrome Following Image-Guided Percutaneous Cryoablation of Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Prospective Study

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate the incidence of post-ablation syndrome (fever and flu-like symptoms) and impact on the quality of life in the first 10 days following percutaneous image-guided cryoablation for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Materials and Methods: A prospective study of all cryoablation procedures with biopsy proven RCC was conducted with institutional review board approval between 08/2012 and 04/2016. Sixty-four patients (43 males and 21 females) underwent cryoablation. Mean age was 68 (range 24–86). A telephone questionnaire survey was conducted on days 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 following cryoablation, and complications were recorded. Data collected included temperature, degree of flu-like symptoms, severity of pain, percentage of pain relief with analgesics, interference with general activity and with work (graded on a 0–10 Numeric Intensity Scale). Results: Following cryoablation, six patients (9%) out of 64 developed post-ablation syndrome. Thirty-three patients (52%) developed flu-like symptoms only, which completely resolved by day 10 in 25 patients (39%). One patient had pyrexia only, which was self- limiting by day 10. Twenty-four patients (38%) were asymptomatic. Pain (mean score = 2.1) and interference on general activities (mean score = 1.8) and work (mean score = 2) following cryoablation peaked on day 3 and improved subsequently. Forty-six patients (72%) had 90–100% pain relief by day 10. No major complications were observed. Conclusion: The full spectrum of post-ablation syndrome following cryoablation occurs in approximately 9% of patients; however, 61% of patients experience flu-like symptoms in the first 10 days, which are self-limiting

Achieving environmentally friendly building envelope for Western Australia’s housing sector: a Life Cycle Assessment approach

The rapid growth of Western Australia’s population and economy will affect the sustainability of its building sector. The energy consumption of all processes during mining to material production, transportation, construction plant and tools, and operation (heating, cooling, lighting, hot water and home appliances) stages causes high greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and embodied energy (EE) consumption. The literature review to date have confirmed that the building envelope consisting of exterior walls, windows, external doors, roof, and floor could significantly affect the energy consumption during operation stage. Australian construction industry could thus enhance the energy efficiency of the building envelope in order to achieve its GHG emissions reduction targets. This paper has assessed the GHG emissions and EE consumption associated with the construction and use of a typical house in Perth for sixty building envelope options using a life cycle assessment (LCA) approach. The results show that the building envelope consisting of cast in situ sandwich wall with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) foam core, double glazed windows, and concrete roof tiles has the lowest life cycle GHG emissions and embodied energy consumption

Performance Simulation and Evaluation of Net Zero Energy Buildings in an Australian Coastal Climate

Net zero energy buildings (NZEB) are becoming more common, and as new energy saving designs and technologies become available, the ability to estimate overall energy use and understand the impact on operation of building appliances will become important. This paper outlines simulation results of performance improvements achieved by modifying various components (glazing, lighting, thermal comfort settings) of two tertiary education NZEBs and a typical modern commercial building. The DesignBuilder models\u27 thermal performance and energy consumption were validated using real data from case study buildings. The work shows validating models of smaller, less conven-tional, buildings is more difficult than for larger conventional ones. Performance of NZEBs was benchmarked against the typical commercial building, and subsequently the impact of alterations to overall energy savings established. Results illustrate that NZEBs appear more sensitive to design changes. The work indicates significant savings are achievable in NZEBs and conventional buildings if suitable glazing is selected, lighting controlled according to daylight, or comfort band settings adjusted appropriately. Poten-tial savings are quantified using models developed and validated in simulation

Investigation of photovoltaic / thermal air systems to create a zero energy house in Sydney

Receiving some of the highest levels of solar irradiance in the world, Australia is an ideal location for widespread implementation of solar energy technologies and smart buildings, designed to take advantage of the excellent solar resource. This thesis explores the concept of achieving a zero energy residential dwelling in the Sydney climate through energy efficient and passive solar design coupled with a photovoltaic/thermal (PVT) system.A simple house was modelled to determine the optimal values of the key design variables that would result in a low space energy consumption and low life cycle cost. The optimised low energy house resulted in an annual space energy consumption of 252kWh, representing a 94% reduction compared with the NSW BASIX standard and requiring only minimal heating and cooling. Results for the best performing low energy house models are shown to have a lower life cycle cost compared with a conventional brick veneer house model designed to meet the NSW BASIX building requirements.A PVT air system was investigated as an option for transforming the low energy house into a zero energy house with an emphasis on the winter performance. A holistic system design approach was used to design an experimental PVT air system that would maximise the thermal and electrical energy outputs and minimise the required fan energy. Simple and detailed theoretical models were presented as a physically meaningful representation of the PVT collector and provide a good match with experimental results. The optimum air flow rate range was determined to be 0.04 - 0.06 kg/s.m2 which produced a temperature rise of 5 - 8°C at midday for a typical sunny winter's day in Sydney. A unique result was achieved whereby the additional PV energy generated due to ventilation is in excess of the fan energy requirement. This was made possible through energy efficient hydraulic design using large ducts to minimise the pressure loss and selection of a fan that would produce high air flow rates at a low input power. The PVT system also demonstrated good potential for night purge ventilation cooling in summer.An affordable zero energy house in Sydney is therefore a very achievable goal with currently available building materials, energy efficiency measures and solar energy technologies

Christian Ruscitti - Social Support, Mental Health and addictive TikTok use

This research aimed to investigate how mental health and social support affected addictive TikTok use. Participants answered the GHQ-12, Duke UNC Functional Social Support Questionnaire and the TikTok Addiction Scale to formulate this data. All up, after data cleaning, there was 91 valid responses