B2C E-Commerce Platform Competition Strategy Research Based on the Network Externality

In recent years, the competition between B2C e-commerce platforms is increasing. From the perspective of consumer choice, with the application of system dynamics theory, and the analysis of the Causal relationship between the direct network externalities, indirect network externalities, compatibility and so on, the paper established system flow chart and system dynamics model of B2C e-commerce platform competition. Then using Vensim PLE to simulate the model and verified the effectiveness and application value of the model. The results showed that cost strategy that reduced cost of consumers’ online shopping and passed on part of the costs to the sellers, the marketing strategy that improved the marketing costs and perfected the products and services and the compatibility strategy that improved the compatibility with market leadership platform can effectively increase the market share of B2C e-commerce platform

The early design stage of a novel Solar Thermal Façade (STF) for building integration: energy performance simulation and socio-economic analysis

This paper provides a feasibility study of a new solar thermal façade (STF) concept for building integration from both technical and economic aspects in Shanghai area of China. The whole set of technical evaluation and economic analysis was investigated through simulation of a reference DOE residential building model in IES-VE software and a dedicated dynamic business model consisting of several critical financial indexes. In order to figure out the cost effectiveness of the STF concept, research work consisted of: (1) exploring the overall feasibility, i.e. energy load, energy savings, operational cost and environmental benefits, and (2) investigating the financial outputs for investment decisions within three different purchase methods. This paper presents a multidisciplinary research method that is expected to be beneficial and supportive for the strategic decision at the early design stage and it also offers a different angle to assess the economic performance of the STF application

Assessment of the effectiveness of investment strategy in solar photovoltaic (PV) energy sector: a case study

Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy is now promising to offer potential solutions for sustainable development, especially in China. A representative Chinese solar PV manufacturer - Shunfeng International Clean Energy Limited (SFCE) - is therefore assessed in this paper, including (1) investment strategies in China's recent macroeconomic exposure; (2) the market exposure and vulnerability. The macroeconomic challenges in case of China's continuous GDP growth would have significant implications for SFCE's investment strategy. Although SFCE's vulnerability is high, it has mediated its macro exposure and protect itself by advanced non-pricing competition, product/service differentiation, vertical and horizontal integration, and high-profit diversification etc. The research result is expected to offer useful indications for solar PV companies to adapt and succeed in the future energy industry and simultaneously help the world to mitigate climate change

Parametric study of a novel gravity assisted loop heat pipe (galhp) with composite mesh-screen wick structure

This article carried out a parametric study of the thermal performance of a novel gravity assisted loop heat pipe (GALHP) with composite mesh-screen wick structure. A refined threeway structure with interior liquid-vapour separator was developed on top of the evaporator to enable a gravity-assisted operation, which not only simplified the corresponding wick structure but also eliminated the ‘dry-out’ potential in conventional GALHPs. A dedicated simulation model was developed on basis of the heat transfer and the flow characteristics derived from the governing equations of mass, energy, and momentum. This model has been validated by authors’ experiment work with the ability to predict the GALHP thermal performance at a reasonable accuracy. It was found that the GALHP thermal performance, represented by the reciprocal of overall thermal resistance, varies directly with applied heat load, evaporator diameter, vapour-liquid separator diameter, and mass flow rate of cooling fluid in the jacket, but inversely with condensation temperature. The research results will be useful for further design, optimisation, and application of such GALHP in the gravity-assisted circumstance.Papers presented to the 12th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Costa de Sol, Spain on 11-13 July 2016

Experimental study of a compact unglazed Solar Thermal Facade (STF) for energy-efficient buildings

This paper presents a real-time experimental measurement of a novel compact unglazed solar thermal facade (STF) system at outdoor environment in Shanghai, China for about a whole summer week. It demonstrates the daily average solar thermal efficiency fluctuated from 40% to 45.5%. The overall result indicates the advantages of the STF with simple structure, low cost and high feasibility in architectural design for energy-efficient building application, especially at future district or city levels

Conceptual development of a compact unglazed solar thermal facade (STF) for building integration

This research aims to develop an initiative modular unglazed Solar Thermal Facade (STF) concept initially for hot water generation to facilitate the integration of solar energy with buildings. The new STF concept is simple structure, low cost, and aesthetically appealing with easy installation but is expected to achieve the equivalent thermal efficiency as the conventional STFs. It delivered alternative design in terms of material, colour, texture, shape, size, architectural design, installation method, array connection, hypothetical system application, and solar coverage. Two common design variants i.e. (a) the STF cladding system and (b) the prefabricated STF wall system were described respectively for existing and new low-rise building typologies. Interaction of inclination, orientation, and insolation were discussed for the optimum STF position on the building. Four currently available methods for installation of such STF with buildings were summarized and three typical array connection methods were identified. The decentralized connection was recommended for different types of STF hot water systems. It is customary to design for a solar coverage of 50 to 60 percent for water heating in detached houses; in apartment buildings 30 to 40 percent are more commonly assumed. The concept design in this paper hereby illustrates the precedence for the hypothetical function by the creation of new ideas and also forms up the physical structure or operating principle for the investigations in near future

Optimizing the configuration of a compact thermal facade module for solar renovation concept in buildings

Solar concepts show potentially an improved cost-performance (energy) ratio when applied as the integrated parts of building renovations. This paper reported a compact solar thermal facade (STF) module with the internally extruded flow channel suiting for solar renovation concept in buildings. A few of impact factors were considered for the parametric study in order to optimize the STF's configuration for various applications through the validated simulation model. The overall research results are expected to be useful for further improvement in the thermal performance of solar renovation measures