Financing energy efficiency measures in buildings - a new method of appraisal

Our current generation strives to provide the next crucial stepping stone towards sustainable buildings, delivering energy efficiency measures without compromise in ways which are financially viable. Selecting and implementing simple energy efficiency measures (EEMs) to reduce energy use and become more sustainable can be straightforward. More complex measures are under continuous improvement and have a greater range of financial options. Making the right long-term choice is difficult and the United Kingdom (UK) market remains sceptical. The results of this paper show that risk and uncertainty are the two key factors that inhibit wholesale adoption of EEMs and as a result a new method of long-term assessment is proposed. The Energy Efficiency Value Matrix (EEVM) consists of the following functional drivers: Cost, Flexibility, Maintenance, Energy Saving and Product Sourcing. Under these headings a building owner may consider any EEM and make a more informed choice. From residential to commercial buildings, key decision-makers require more impartial information as to why they should choose a particular EEM to deliver energy saving measures, upon which a long-term financial and technical decision can be made

SYNTHESIS, CHARACTERIZATION AND APPLICATION OF ION IMPRINTED POLY(VINYLIMIDAZOLE) FOR ZINC ION EXTRACTION/PRECONCENTRATION WITH FAAS DETERMINATION

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)In this paper, we describe the synthesis of an ion imprinted polymer (IIP) by homogeneous polymerization and its use in solid-phase to extract and preconcentrate zinc ions. Under optimal conditions (pH 5.0, preconcentration flow rate of 12.0 mL min(-1), and eluted with 1.0 mol L-1 HNO3) this procedure allows the determination of zinc with an enrichment factor of 10.2, and with limits of detection and quantification of 1.5 and 5.0 mu g L-1, respectively. The accuracy of our results was confirmed by analysis of tap water and certified reference materials: NIST 1570a (Spinach leaves) and NIST 1515 (Apple leaves).3716368Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundacao Araucaria de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico do ParanaInstituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia em Bioanalitica (INCT-Bio)Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia (FAPESB)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES