Dynamic Evaluation of the Effects of Climate Change on the Energy Renovation of a School in a Mediterranean Climate

This paper addresses the effects of long-term climate change on retrofit actions on a school building located in a Mediterranean climate. Dynamic energy simulations were performed using Termolog EpiX 11, first with conventional climate data and then with future year climate data exported from the CCWorldWeatherGen computational software. To date, many incentive actions are promoted for school renovations, but are these measures effective in preventing the discomfort that will be found due to overheating generated by climate change? Today, one of the main objectives in retrofit measures is the achievement of ZEB (Zero Energy Building) performance. Achieving this target requires first and foremost a high-performance envelope. This study evaluates the impact of retrofit strategies mostly applied to the school building envelope, over the years, considering three different time horizons, until 2080. Thermal performance indices and indoor operative temperature under free-floating were evaluated. The results highlight that, with a changing climate, it is no longer possible to assume a constant static condition to evaluate retrofit actions, but it is necessary to develop a predictive mathematical model that considers the design variability for future years. There is an urgent necessity to ensure both the safety and comfort of buildings while also anticipating future variations in climate

An innovative solution to increase the performances of an Air-Cooled Heat Pump by Horizontal Air-Ground Heat-Exchangers

Abstract This work presents the performances of an Air-Cooled Heat Pump combined with Horizontal Air Ground Heat Exchanger. The Horizontal Air Ground Heat Exchanger has been used not for the direct ventilation of the room, but for the treatment of the outside air flux of an Air-Cooled Heat Pump; consequently, the heat pump works with colder and warmer air than outside one in summer and winter, respectively. The results are exposed in terms of the Coefficient of Performance and Energy Efficiency Ratio of the Air-Cooled Heat Pump

air cooled heat pump coupled with horizontal air ground heat exchanger haghe for zero energy buildings in the mediterranean climate

Abstract This study demonstrates how it is possible to increase the performances of an air-cooled heat pump by the use of Horizontal Air-Ground Heat Exchanger (HAGHE); the analysis has been carried out varying the air flow rate and heat conductivity of the ground. For a warm climate, the air treatment using HAGHE involves an improvement of the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) of the heat pump for the entire summertime. About the wintertime, the coefficient of performance (COP) results improved from November to February, but it is possible to install a by-pass to permit to the heat pump to work at the best conditions

Performance Analysis of Air Cooled Heat Pump Coupled with Horizontal Air Ground Heat Exchanger in the Mediterranean Climate

A concept of Air-Cooled Heat Pump (ACHP) coupled with a Horizontal Air-Ground Heat Exchanger (HAGHE), also called Horizontal Earth-To-Air Heat Exchanger (EAHX), has been proposed. The Air-Cooled Heat Pump is a system which transfers heat from outside source (air) to inside sink (water) and vice versa in summertime. The innovation is to provide a geothermal treatment of pre-heating/cooling of air before meeting the evaporator in winter or the condenser in summer of the heat pump. Besides, it is known that the variations of the ground temperature, respect to the external air one, are mitigated already in the first layers of the ground throughout the year, due to the high thermal inertia of the ground, letting the heat pump work with more mitigated conditions, improving the performances. The behaviour of HAGHE has been investigated by varying the length and the installation depth of the probes, the air flow rate and the ground thermal properties. All the combinations have been implemented using TRNSYS 17 software (Transient System Simulation Program) to obtain the outlet temperatures from HAGHE, resulting from the 54 configurations. The results are compared in terms of Coefficient of Performance (COP) in wintertime and Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) in summertime between configurations with and without the coupling with HAGHE. In addition, two seasonal performance SCOP and SEER coefficients have been calculated considering, not only the inlet air temperatures into the Air-Cooled Heat Pump, but also their frequency of occurrence, the off-set external temperature (16 C), the nominal external temperature and heating and cooling loads

Data of cost-optimality and technical solutions for high energy performance buildings in warm climate

AbstractThe data reported in this article refers to input and output information related to the research articles entitled Assessment of cost-optimality and technical solutions in high performance multi-residential buildings in the Mediterranean area by Zacà et al. (Assessment of cost-optimality and technical solutions in high performance multi-residential buildings in the Mediterranean area, in press.) and related to the research article Cost-optimal analysis and technical comparison between standard and high efficient mono residential buildings in a warm climate by Baglivo et al. (Energy, 2015, 10.1016/j.energy.2015.02.062, in press)

Energy Independence of a Small Office Community Powered by Photovoltaic-Wind Hybrid Systems in Widely Different Climates

Hybrid renewable energy systems are an optimal solution for small energy communities’ energy supply. One of the critical issues is the strong correlation of these systems with outdoor climatic conditions. The goal is to make local communities increasingly energy independent. To this end, an in-depth analysis of the behaviour of hybrid photovoltaic (PV)–wind systems powering small office communities in 48 locations around the world characterized by widely varying climates was conducted. System sizes, assumed to be stand-alone or grid-connected, were varied, for a total of 343 system power configurations. Highest satisfied load fraction (SLF) values are obtained with a significant predominance of PV over wind; the trend is more pronounced in dry and continental climates (zones B and D according to the Köppen climate classification). The utilization factor (UF) values of 1 are rarely reached and never in the wind-only or PV-only configurations. In all climates, the grid energy interaction factor (GEIF) values of zero are never reached but come very close. The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of grid-connected systems is significantly higher than stand-alone systems

Air-source heat pump (ASHP) under very climate change scenarios: a numerical analysis

Air-source heat pumps are strongly influenced by outdoor conditions, it is expected that ongoing climate changes may impact their operation. This paper presents a predictive analysis of the behaviour of air-source heat pumps in two cities with extremely cold and warm climates in the short, medium, and long term. The seasonal coefficient of performance and heat pump seasonal energy efficiency index are evaluated over the years, considering climate change for both locations. Climate change will shorten the winter period and prolong the summer. In winter, this results in a slight softening of the seasonal coefficient of performance and a reduction in operating hours. In summer, there is a slight increase in seasonal energy efficiency ratio values and hours of operation. The work highlights how the performance of the air-source heat pump, on average, will improve in winter due to an average increase in temperature. Heat pumps are expected to be used in the future and in geographical areas where they are not currently used due to the extreme winter temperatures

Cyberbullismo 2.0: una ricerca qualitativa del fenomeno

Denso è il dibattito nel mondo scientifico su come l’uso delle tecnologie stia cambiando il modo di approcciarsi all’Altro delle nuove generazioni e di come si sta modificando il loro modus agendi della componente emotiva, sempre più contrassegnata dell’aggressività: il fenomeno del bullismo così come tutte le fenomenologie devianti, messe in atto da minori, destano infatti una preoccupazione crescente. A questa va aggiunta l’apprensione di molti genitori davanti al ‘ritiro sociale’, che sempre più minori adottano per isolarsi dal mondo reale e rifugiarsi in quello virtuale. Strettamente correlato al bullismo, il cyberbullismo consiste in reiterati atteggiamenti e comportamenti finalizzati ad offendere, spaventare, umiliare la vittima tramite mezzi elettronici. Necessaria, quindi si fa un’analisi delle peculiarità possedute dai comportamenti aggressivi online, elementi strettamente connessi alle caratteristica proprie del cyberspace, che possa rendere più preparati, coloro che sono chiamati ad educare

Technical‐economic evaluation of the effectiveness of measures applied to the artificial lighting system of a school

none5noEnsuring optimum interior lighting is a topic of great importance, as this influences not only the well‐being of users but also the optimal performance of visual tasks. Lighting can be natural, but if not sufficient, it can be compensated with artificial lighting. This study highlights a methodology for designing a new lighting system that takes into account both technical and economic aspects. The method was applied to an existing school located in southern Italy, in which the electricity consumption is related to the current lighting system. The school is chosen as being representative of the construction type and layout of many local schools. In addition, the coexistence of several visual tasks with different design requisites (e.g., illuminance levels) makes the school a very complex environment. The school lighting is modelled in Google SketchUp and imported into Daysim to simulate the yearly and hourly daylight indoor contribution. Dialux Evo has been used to simulate and design artificial lighting. The results show a reduction of energy consumption of 33% with the simple replacement of fluorescent luminaires with LEDs, while the LED lamp dimming and modulation for rows of luminaires leads to a 95% reduction in energy consumption compared with the current state.openBaglivo C.; Bonomolo M.; Congedo P.M.; Beccali M.; Antonaci S.Baglivo, C.; Bonomolo, M.; Congedo, P. M.; Beccali, M.; Antonaci, S

Impact of climate change on the energy performance of building envelopes and implications on energy regulations across Europe

This paper delves into the potential impact of a changing climate on the energy performance of European buildings. Research aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of current energy requirements focusing on the envelope, considering existing regulations in national policies. Energy simulations are conducted at 94 locations across the European Union to cover the climatic variability and Koppen climate classification. The research analyzes future climate scenarios for the years 2030, 2050, and 2070, using three different Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP 2.6, 4.5, 8.5). According to a comprehensive analysis of heating, cooling, and overall energy performance, climate plays a significant role in buildings’ energy balance. In moderately cool climate countries, the demand for air conditioning is projected to decrease in the years ahead. Conversely, in countries with a warm climate, there is a projected increase in the overall energy demand. Consequently, a revision of current energy regulations should be a priority. Providing insights into the relation between building design, energy efficiency, and climate change, the research identifies policy adjustments to ensure buildings can effectively respond to changing climatic conditions. A holistic and dynamic approach can support building design accounting for long-term impacts of climate change to create resilient and energy-efficient structures