ENERGY AUDIT – METHOD FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION IN HOTELS

In the very near future, energy efficient hotels will cease to be the exception but will be the rule. Energy conservation and the intelligent utilization of renewable energy sources are prerequisite for sustainable development of tourism. Due to global warming and increased standards in hotel industry, there is an increasing demand for energy for cooling in general, although this is especially reflected in hotel industry peaking in summer period. Furthermore, energy demand for hot water and food and beverages preparation in a hotel increases proportionally with the number of tourists. All these energy issues are overburdening the ever competing hotel industry. Hotels, in order to optimize their energy costs and implementation of renewable energy sources utilization, have to perform energy audit - an analysis of thermal performance and energy systems of building with the purpose to determent its energy efficiency or non-efficiency. This paper combines energy audit methodology with properties of energy consumption in hotel industry with an aim to provide guidelines for modern hotel energy management

TOURISM AS A PATHWAY FOR RES UTILISATION

Tourism, due its property of being an “invisible export” sector, has a strong multiplier effect over the economy. Tourists boost demand for numerous goods and services, one of them being energy. Unfortunately, energy sources are scarce for most of the countries in the region. Thus, one could think of another solution to the excess demand for energy than import. Namely, for more than a decade, renewable energy sources are in the central focus of the EU energy policy with an aim to ensure security, price stability, availably and affordability of energy to its citizens together with reduction of GHG emissions and making the EU economy more competitive. Combining tourism with renewable energy sources utilisation helps reducing the spill over effect from energy import. In this paper, the cross-section analysis based on environmental determination of tourism and renewable energy sources potentials is performed in order to indicate a pathway for implementation of renewable energy sources utilisation in the tourism and hotel industry

Methodology for evaluation of integrated photovoltaic systems in local energy and spatial planning documents

Kako u izradi dokumenata energetskog i prostornog planiranja na lokalnoj razini nije uspostavljena sinergija za povećanje korištenja obnovljivih izvora energije dostupnih u neposrednoj blizini potrošnje energije, u ovom radu je razvijena metodologija za sagledavanje potencijala za distribuiranu proizvodnju električne energije integriranim fotonaponskim sustavima na postojećim zgradama. Metodologija se sastoji od dva kvalifikacijska i tri eliminacijska kriterija. Zadatak kvalifikacijskih kriterija je uspostaviti bazu podataka i georeferencirani prikaz potrošnje energije i potencijala za distribuiranu proizvodnju energije. Kroz eliminacijske kriterije ocjenjuje se ispunjavanje dimenzija dekarbonizacije, prilagodba klimatskim promjenama i razvoja energetskog tržišta, prema ciljevima određenima na nacionalnoj i EU razini, kroz povećanje udjela električne energije proizvedene iz obnovljivih izvora energije na lokaciji, smanjenje emisije CO2 te uključivanje krajnjih kupaca kao aktivnih sudionika tržišta električne energije. Metodologija je primijenjena na pilot području stambene namjene u primorskoj Hrvatskoj, gdje je dominanti izvor energije električna energija s udjelom od 93,51% u finalnoj potrošnji energije. Procijenjena ukupna instalirana snaga integriranih fotonaponskih sustava je 1,82 MWel, dok je ukupna godišnja distribuirane proizvodnja električne energije 2,13 MWh, što čini 66,96% finalne potrošnje električne energije, te se ostvaruje visoki udio obnovljive energije proizvedene na lokaciji od 63% finalne potrošnje energije i smanjuju se emisije CO2 za 66,3%. Krajnje kupce još nije moguće uključiti kao aktivne sudionike tržišta električne energije do izmjena u Zakonu o tržištu električne energije. U kategoriji samoopskrbe električnom energijom, ulaganje u integrirani fotonaponski sustav isplativa investicija u srednjem roku do 14 godina i prije kraja vijeka trajanja tehnologije. Ako se primjenjuje princip „najprije energetska učinkovitost“ gdje se kombinira ulaganje u integrirani fotonaponski sustav i povećanje energetske učinkovitosti vanjske ovojnice, nužno je osigurati visoki udio sufinanciranja investicije od 60%.As no synergy has been established in the preparation of energy and spatial planning documents at the local level to increase the use of renewable energy sources available in the immediate vicinity of energy consumption, this study develops a methodology for considering the potential for distributed electricity production by integrated photovoltaic systems on existing buildings. The methodology consists of two qualification and three elimination criteria. The task of the qualification criteria is to establish a database and a georeferenced map of energy consumption and potential for distributed electricity production. The elimination criteria assess the fulfilment of the dimensions of decarbonisation, adaptation to climate change and the development of the energy market, according to the goals set at national and EU level, through increasing the share of electricity produced from renewable energy sources on site, reducing CO2 emissions and involving end consumers as active participants in the electricity market. The methodology was applied in the pilot residential area in coastal Croatia, where the electricity is the prevailing energy source with a share of 93.51% in the final energy consumption. Total estimated installed power of the integrated photovoltaic systems is 1,82 MWel while total annual distributed electricity production is 2,15 MWh, which provides 66.96% of final electricity consumption, 63% of final energy consumption and 66.3% CO2 emission mitigation. It is still not possible to include end consumers as active participants in the electricity market until the amendments to the Electricity Market Act. For the category of self-sufficient supply of electricity, an integrated photovoltaic system is a feasible investment with simple payback period in the medium term of 14 years and before the technology end of life. When applying the „enregy efficinecy first“ principle i.e. combining investment in an integrated photovoltaic system and energy efficiency refurbishment of the building envelope, it is necessary to provide high co-financing rate of at least 60%

Methodology for evaluation of integrated photovoltaic systems in local energy and spatial planning documents

Kako u izradi dokumenata energetskog i prostornog planiranja na lokalnoj razini nije uspostavljena sinergija za povećanje korištenja obnovljivih izvora energije dostupnih u neposrednoj blizini potrošnje energije, u ovom radu je razvijena metodologija za sagledavanje potencijala za distribuiranu proizvodnju električne energije integriranim fotonaponskim sustavima na postojećim zgradama. Metodologija se sastoji od dva kvalifikacijska i tri eliminacijska kriterija. Zadatak kvalifikacijskih kriterija je uspostaviti bazu podataka i georeferencirani prikaz potrošnje energije i potencijala za distribuiranu proizvodnju energije. Kroz eliminacijske kriterije ocjenjuje se ispunjavanje dimenzija dekarbonizacije, prilagodba klimatskim promjenama i razvoja energetskog tržišta, prema ciljevima određenima na nacionalnoj i EU razini, kroz povećanje udjela električne energije proizvedene iz obnovljivih izvora energije na lokaciji, smanjenje emisije CO2 te uključivanje krajnjih kupaca kao aktivnih sudionika tržišta električne energije. Metodologija je primijenjena na pilot području stambene namjene u primorskoj Hrvatskoj, gdje je dominanti izvor energije električna energija s udjelom od 93,51% u finalnoj potrošnji energije. Procijenjena ukupna instalirana snaga integriranih fotonaponskih sustava je 1,82 MWel, dok je ukupna godišnja distribuirane proizvodnja električne energije 2,13 MWh, što čini 66,96% finalne potrošnje električne energije, te se ostvaruje visoki udio obnovljive energije proizvedene na lokaciji od 63% finalne potrošnje energije i smanjuju se emisije CO2 za 66,3%. Krajnje kupce još nije moguće uključiti kao aktivne sudionike tržišta električne energije do izmjena u Zakonu o tržištu električne energije. U kategoriji samoopskrbe električnom energijom, ulaganje u integrirani fotonaponski sustav isplativa investicija u srednjem roku do 14 godina i prije kraja vijeka trajanja tehnologije. Ako se primjenjuje princip „najprije energetska učinkovitost“ gdje se kombinira ulaganje u integrirani fotonaponski sustav i povećanje energetske učinkovitosti vanjske ovojnice, nužno je osigurati visoki udio sufinanciranja investicije od 60%.As no synergy has been established in the preparation of energy and spatial planning documents at the local level to increase the use of renewable energy sources available in the immediate vicinity of energy consumption, this study develops a methodology for considering the potential for distributed electricity production by integrated photovoltaic systems on existing buildings. The methodology consists of two qualification and three elimination criteria. The task of the qualification criteria is to establish a database and a georeferenced map of energy consumption and potential for distributed electricity production. The elimination criteria assess the fulfilment of the dimensions of decarbonisation, adaptation to climate change and the development of the energy market, according to the goals set at national and EU level, through increasing the share of electricity produced from renewable energy sources on site, reducing CO2 emissions and involving end consumers as active participants in the electricity market. The methodology was applied in the pilot residential area in coastal Croatia, where the electricity is the prevailing energy source with a share of 93.51% in the final energy consumption. Total estimated installed power of the integrated photovoltaic systems is 1,82 MWel while total annual distributed electricity production is 2,15 MWh, which provides 66.96% of final electricity consumption, 63% of final energy consumption and 66.3% CO2 emission mitigation. It is still not possible to include end consumers as active participants in the electricity market until the amendments to the Electricity Market Act. For the category of self-sufficient supply of electricity, an integrated photovoltaic system is a feasible investment with simple payback period in the medium term of 14 years and before the technology end of life. When applying the „enregy efficinecy first“ principle i.e. combining investment in an integrated photovoltaic system and energy efficiency refurbishment of the building envelope, it is necessary to provide high co-financing rate of at least 60%

Methodology for evaluation of integrated photovoltaic systems in local energy and spatial planning documents

Kako u izradi dokumenata energetskog i prostornog planiranja na lokalnoj razini nije uspostavljena sinergija za povećanje korištenja obnovljivih izvora energije dostupnih u neposrednoj blizini potrošnje energije, u ovom radu je razvijena metodologija za sagledavanje potencijala za distribuiranu proizvodnju električne energije integriranim fotonaponskim sustavima na postojećim zgradama. Metodologija se sastoji od dva kvalifikacijska i tri eliminacijska kriterija. Zadatak kvalifikacijskih kriterija je uspostaviti bazu podataka i georeferencirani prikaz potrošnje energije i potencijala za distribuiranu proizvodnju energije. Kroz eliminacijske kriterije ocjenjuje se ispunjavanje dimenzija dekarbonizacije, prilagodba klimatskim promjenama i razvoja energetskog tržišta, prema ciljevima određenima na nacionalnoj i EU razini, kroz povećanje udjela električne energije proizvedene iz obnovljivih izvora energije na lokaciji, smanjenje emisije CO2 te uključivanje krajnjih kupaca kao aktivnih sudionika tržišta električne energije. Metodologija je primijenjena na pilot području stambene namjene u primorskoj Hrvatskoj, gdje je dominanti izvor energije električna energija s udjelom od 93,51% u finalnoj potrošnji energije. Procijenjena ukupna instalirana snaga integriranih fotonaponskih sustava je 1,82 MWel, dok je ukupna godišnja distribuirane proizvodnja električne energije 2,13 MWh, što čini 66,96% finalne potrošnje električne energije, te se ostvaruje visoki udio obnovljive energije proizvedene na lokaciji od 63% finalne potrošnje energije i smanjuju se emisije CO2 za 66,3%. Krajnje kupce još nije moguće uključiti kao aktivne sudionike tržišta električne energije do izmjena u Zakonu o tržištu električne energije. U kategoriji samoopskrbe električnom energijom, ulaganje u integrirani fotonaponski sustav isplativa investicija u srednjem roku do 14 godina i prije kraja vijeka trajanja tehnologije. Ako se primjenjuje princip „najprije energetska učinkovitost“ gdje se kombinira ulaganje u integrirani fotonaponski sustav i povećanje energetske učinkovitosti vanjske ovojnice, nužno je osigurati visoki udio sufinanciranja investicije od 60%.As no synergy has been established in the preparation of energy and spatial planning documents at the local level to increase the use of renewable energy sources available in the immediate vicinity of energy consumption, this study develops a methodology for considering the potential for distributed electricity production by integrated photovoltaic systems on existing buildings. The methodology consists of two qualification and three elimination criteria. The task of the qualification criteria is to establish a database and a georeferenced map of energy consumption and potential for distributed electricity production. The elimination criteria assess the fulfilment of the dimensions of decarbonisation, adaptation to climate change and the development of the energy market, according to the goals set at national and EU level, through increasing the share of electricity produced from renewable energy sources on site, reducing CO2 emissions and involving end consumers as active participants in the electricity market. The methodology was applied in the pilot residential area in coastal Croatia, where the electricity is the prevailing energy source with a share of 93.51% in the final energy consumption. Total estimated installed power of the integrated photovoltaic systems is 1,82 MWel while total annual distributed electricity production is 2,15 MWh, which provides 66.96% of final electricity consumption, 63% of final energy consumption and 66.3% CO2 emission mitigation. It is still not possible to include end consumers as active participants in the electricity market until the amendments to the Electricity Market Act. For the category of self-sufficient supply of electricity, an integrated photovoltaic system is a feasible investment with simple payback period in the medium term of 14 years and before the technology end of life. When applying the „enregy efficinecy first“ principle i.e. combining investment in an integrated photovoltaic system and energy efficiency refurbishment of the building envelope, it is necessary to provide high co-financing rate of at least 60%

Sustainability of Investment Projects with Energy Efficiency and Non-Energy Efficiency Costs: Case Examples of Public Buildings

According to the European Commission Energy Union strategy from 2015, some of the main objectives are to improve energy efficiency, reduce dependence on energy imports, cut emissions, and drive jobs and growth. Achieving the objectives of the Energy Union requires significant financing, particularly for investments in energy efficiency. Serbia and Croatia included the objectives of the Energy Union in their national strategies and have implemented various investment projects in this area. This paper focuses on the sustainability of energy efficiency projects for public buildings which include not only energy efficiency investment cost but also non-energy efficiency investments. By applying the European Commission methodology for cost-benefit analysis, we assessed the sustainability of several projects in Serbia and Croatia. The sustainability assessment is done by quantifying energy savings, greenhouse gas emission reductions and the social and economic benefits that are related to non-energy efficiency project components. The values of economic performance indicators imply that society would be better off with projects that would contribute to achieving not only the targets set in national energy strategies but also to creating broader social benefits

Qualitative and quantitative diagnosis in head and neck cancer

The diagnosis is the art of determining the nature of a disease, and an accurate diagnosis is the true cornerstone on which rational treatment should be built. Within the workflow in the management of head and neck tumours, there are different types of diagnosis. The purpose of this work is to point out the differences and the aims of the different types of diagnoses and to highlight their importance in the management of patients with head and neck tumours. Qualitative diagnosis is performed by a pathologist and is essential in determining the management and can provide guidance on prognosis. The evolution of immunohistochemistry and molecular biology techniques has made it possible to obtain more precise diagnoses and to identify prognostic markers and precision factors. Quantitative diagnosis is made by the radiologist and consists of identifying a mass lesion and the estimation of the tumour volume and extent using imaging techniques, such as CT, MRI, and PET. The distinction between the two types of diagnosis is clear, as the methodology is different. The accurate establishment of both diagnoses plays an essential role in treatment planning. Getting the right diagnosis is a key aspect of health care, and it provides an explanation of a patient\u27s health problem and informs subsequent decision. Deep learning and radiomics approaches hold promise for improving diagnosis

Expression of extracellular matrix-related genes and their regulatory microRNAs in problematic colorectal polyps

Colorectal carcinoma usually evolves gradually, forming a spectrum of lesions, due to accumulation of genetic mutations and epigenetic alterations. Many early lesions are detected since the introduction of screening programs. The greatest challenge is to distinguish between adenomas with epithelial misplacement (AEM) and adenomas with early carcinoma (AEC), considering the diagnosis affects prognosis and treatment. We analyzed the expression of selected extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes and proteins, and their regulatory microRNAs using RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry in biopsies from 44 patients. Differences were observed in AEM in comparison to AEC for DCN, EPHA4, FN1, SPON2, and SPP1, reflecting inflammatory stromal reaction to traumatisation and misplacement of dysplastic glands in the submucosa in the former, and desmoplastic stromal reaction to true invasion of dysplastic glands in the submucosa in the latter. Expression of regulatory microRNAs hsa-miR-200c and hsa-miR-146a significantly negatively correlated with the expression of their regulated genes, while significant difference between AEM and AEC was observed only for hsa-miR-29c. The described expression patterns are too complex to be used in diagnostic work, but might contribute to better understanding ECM changes in colorectal carcinoma development, helping to find new markers in the future

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related microRNAs and their target genes in colorectal cancerogenesis

MicroRNAs of the miR-200 family have been shown experimentally to regulate epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Although EMT is the postulated mechanism of development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC), there are still limited and controversial data on expression of miR-200 family and their target genes during CRC cancerogenesis. Our study included formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsy samples of 40 patients (10 adenomas and 30 cases of CRC with corresponding normal mucosa). Expression of miR-141, miR-200a/b/c and miR-429 and their target genes (CDKN1B, ONECUT2, PTPN13, RND3, SOX2, TGFB2 and ZEB2) was analysed using quantitative real-time PCR. Expression of E-cadherin was analysed using immunohistochemistry. All miRNAs were down-regulated and their target genes showed the opposite expression in CRC compared to adenoma. Down-regulation of the miR-200 family at the invasive front in comparison to the central part of tumour was observed as well as a correlation of expression of miR-200b, CDKN1B, ONECUT2 and ZEB2 expression to nodal metastases. Expression of the miR-200 family and SOX2 also correlated with E-cadherin staining. These results suggest that the miR-200 family and their target genes contribute to progression of adenoma to CRC, invasive properties and development of metastases. Our results strongly support the postulated hypotheses of partial EMT and intra-tumour heterogeneity during CRC cancerogenesis

Identification and validation of new cancer stem cell-related genes and their regulatory microRNAs in colorectal cancerogenesis

Significant progress has been made in the last decade in our understanding of the pathogenetic mechanisms of colorectal cancer (CRC). Cancer stem cells (CSC) have gained much attention and are now believed to play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of various cancers, including CRC. In the current study, we validated gene expression of four genes related to CSC, L1TD1, SLITRK6, ST6GALNAC1 and TCEA3, identified in a previous bioinformatics analysis. Using bioinformatics, potential miRNA-target gene correlations were prioritized. In total, 70 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsy samples from 47 patients with adenoma, adenoma with early carcinoma and CRC without and with lymph node metastases were included. The expression of selected genes and microRNAs (miRNAs) was evaluated using quantitative PCR. Differential expression of all investigated genes and four of six prioritized miRNAs (hsa-miR-199a-3p, hsa-miR-335-5p, hsa-miR-425-5p, hsa-miR-1225-3p, hsa-miR-1233-3p and hsa-miR-1303) was found in at least one group of CRC cancerogenesis. L1TD1, SLITRK6, miR-1233-3p and miR-1225-3p were correlated to the level of malignancy. A negative correlation between miR-199a-3p and its predicted target SLITRK6 was observed, showing potential for further experimental validation in CRC. Our results provide further evidence that CSC-related genes and their regulatory miRNAs are involved in CRC development and progression and suggest that some them, particularly miR-199a-3p and its SLITRK6 target gene, are promising for further validation in CRC