Prädiktiver Betrieb von thermisch aktiven Bauteilsystemen (TABS)

In Verwaltungs- und Gewerbebauten werden immer häufiger thermoaktive Bauteilsysteme, kurz „TABS“, zur Temperierung des Gebäudes eingesetzt. Hierbei werden Teile der Gebäudestruktur, meist die Geschossdecken, mit bauteilintegrierten Rohrregistern gekühlt oder beheizt. Dadurch ergibt sich eine energieeffiziente und nachhaltige Systemlösung, die einen kostengünstigen Betrieb bei hohem Komfort ermöglicht. Sie ist auch ideal für den Einsatz regenerativer Energie aus Erdreich, Grundwasser und Außenluft geeignet

Occurrence of Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria in Aquatic Environments in Central Minnesota

Antibiotic resistance among bacteria has been a topic of concern for many years. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of antibiotic resistance among bacteria found in aquatic environments such as the lakes on the campus of Saint John’s University along with the Sauk River in Cold Spring and St. Joseph, Minnesota. By analyzing samples from different aquatic environments, this data can be used to better identify patterns of resistance within different genera of bacteria. A total of 125 isolates were captured from these different areas and isolated into pure cultures. The isolated cultures were grown on agar plates made with a fixed concentration of antibiotic, inoculated with antibiotic disks placed on DB agar plates, and 96 well plates filled with increasing concentrations of antibiotic. Twenty-six isolates were chosen to pursue based on their resistance levels to five or more antibiotics. A series of standard microbial tests were done along with PCR of the 16S ribosomal RNA protein to identify these bacteria and almost all were gram negative. The cultures represented 7 different genera with Flavobacteria and Acinetobacter being the most common. Resistance coefficients were calculated based on optical density values relative to cells grown without antibiotics in the well. This study suggests multi-resistant, gram-negative bacteria are common in aquatic environments in central Minnesota, which presents interesting questions about the (over)-use of antibiotics. This information will likely aide in attempts to limit antibiotic consumption by providing information about patterns of resistance in different genera of bacteria

Ergebnisse eines Feldtests mit Mikro-BHKWs

Die dezentrale Stromerzeugung in Blockheizkraftwerken gewinnt als Möglichkeit der effizienten Energieerzeugung immer mehr an Bedeutung. Im Projekt „Energiepioniere – Wissenschaftlich-technische Begleitung eines Feldtests von Mikro-KWK-Anlagen durch die Hochschule Offenburg“ werden verschiedene Mikro-BHKW-Anlagen auf ihre Praxistauglichkeit unter realen Betriebsbedingungen getestet. Im aktuellen Artikel wird nach einer kurzen Beschreibung der im Feldtest untersuchten Motoren ein Auszug der wichtigsten Ergebnisse des Feldtests vorgestellt.As interesting alternative to achieve a high energy efficiency, local power generation with block heat and power plants become more and more important. In the project “Energiepioniere – scientifictechnical monitoring of a field test of Micro block heat and power plants” engines of different producers are proved. During two years the suitability of daily use of the Micro block heat and power plants was tested. Some of the most important results of the field test are presented in the following paper

Predictive Software Measures based on Z Specifications - A Case Study

Estimating the effort and quality of a system is a critical step at the beginning of every software project. It is necessary to have reliable ways of calculating these measures, and, it is even better when the calculation can be done as early as possible in the development life-cycle. Having this in mind, metrics for formal specifications are examined with a view to correlations to complexity and quality-based code measures. A case study, based on a Z specification and its implementation in ADA, analyzes the practicability of these metrics as predictors.Comment: In Proceedings WS-FMDS 2012, arXiv:1207.184

Battery Energy Management System Using Edge-Driven Fuzzy Logic

Building energy management systems (BEMSs), dedicated to sustainable buildings, may have additional duties, such as hosting efficient energy management systems (EMSs) algorithms. This duty can become crucial when operating renewable energy sources (RES) and eventual electric energy storage systems (ESSs). Sophisticated EMS approaches that aim to manage RES and ESSs in real time may need high computing capabilities that BEMSs typically cannot provide. This article addresses and validates a fuzzy logic-based EMS for the optimal management of photovoltaic (PV) systems with lead-acid ESSs using an edge computing technology. The proposed method is tested on a real smart grid prototype in comparison with a classical rule-based EMS for different weather conditions. The goal is to investigate the efficacy of islanding the building local network as a control command, along with ESS power control. The results show the implementation feasibility and performance of the fuzzy algorithm in the optimal management of ESSs in both operation modes: grid-connected and islanded modes

Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment in Mauritania: Reflections on Data Quality, Spatial Scales, Aggregation and Visualizations

International audienceMauritania is vulnerable to climate change due to its location along the Sahel, the desert climate of the Sahara, and its socioeconomic characteristics. To support the identification of climate change adaptation measures in Brakna and Assaba in Mauritania, a spatial assessment of vulnerability to climate change targeting the livelihood sectors of agriculture and pastoralism was carried out. Based on the identification of relevant drivers of climate change vulnerability in a broad consultation process among national and local stakeholders, a variety of geospatial indicators were identified and integrated in the assessments based on a standardized vulnerability assessment approach. In this paper, we provide a reflection on the methodology applied and identify lessons to be learnt on data quality, spatial scales, aggregation and visualizations. The primary conclusion is that users of the assessment results and stakeholders need to be engaged in the entire assessment process in order to reflect local characteristics more fully, and to ensure that the results are reflected in informed decision-making

Natürliche Gebäudeklimatisierung in Klassenzimmern

Mit dem Anliegen, der sommerlichen Überhitzungssituation in Klassenzimmern wirksam entgegenzuwirken, ist die Stadt Offenburg an die Forschungsgruppe net der Hochschule Offenburg herangetreten. Im Sinn der Nachhaltigkeit sollten Maßnahmen ausgearbeitet und umgesetzt werden, die ohne aktive Kühlsysteme auskommen.Recent modernization activities in retrofitting school buildings were mostly concentrated on thermal insulation and reduction of costs for heating. Meanwhile the growing impact of the “climate change” forces decision makers to take the more frequent overheating in hot summer periods into account. Within a research project the University of Applied Sciences Offenburg and the municipality of Offenburg implemented strategies based on shading combined with night ventilation in order to reduce the heat load of school buildings. An important role was given to the building automation with a remote access via internet communication for a centralized building and energy management