Evaluation of financial aspects and energy performance indicators of residential real estate in the Netherlands

The introduction of the concept of sustainable building in the construction industry has led to different measures to reduce the environmental impact of building objects in the past decades. Because the built environment accounts for more than 40% of the total energy consumption in Europe (EC, 2002), energy saving techniques receive much attention. In the Netherlands the overall energy performance of houses can be calculated by three different indicators. In order to compare these Energy Performance Indicators (EPI) seven residential objects are evaluated. This study reflects on the financial efficiency of energy saving measures, techniques or technologies by introducing a new variable for the gains related to the value increase of houses. It is found that the energy performance of houses has gradually improved during the last century. The results of the financial analysis point out that the return on investments is high in Dutch real estate

Phase change materials in betonvloeren - deel I

Er is een experiment uitgevoerd met vier betonnen vloeren in een semiadiabatische omgeving. Twee vloeren bevatten PCMs en, ter referentie, twee vloeren geen PCMs. De opstelling moest op schaal een woning voorstellen met een raam op het zuiden. De omgevingscondities en de temperatuurontwikkelingen in de vloeren en boxen werden gemonitord. Het experimenn moest aantonen in hoeverre PCMs kunnen worden gebruikt voor het passief verwarmen van Nederlandse woningen

Design of fibre reinforced PV concepts for building integrated applications

Fibre reinforced polymers present an interesting encapsulation medium for PV-modules. Glass fibres can provide increased strength and stiffness to thin polymer layers overcoming the brittleness and limited deformability of glass-panes. Glass fibre reinforced polymers allows for transparency over a broad range of the solar spectrum while the material properties and integral production processes create possibilities for novel product concepts with embedded PV technology. To explore such possibilities, innovative design methods were used to design novel PV product concepts for applications in the build environment.\ud In our paper three conceptual designs are presented; (1) a thin film module with an adjoining interconnection system functioning as structural element for geodetic roofing structures, (2) a PV lamella with single-axis tracking utilizing a linear concentration effect caused by the geometry of the product and the materials applied, and (3) a prepreg PV-material which allows for easy shaping during the production of PV modules with complex geometries. Each concept employs a specific PV technology and demonstrates a possible application aimed at a specific market. In this way we show the potential of integration of PV technology in fibre reinforced composites. The paper will be illustrated by concept renderings

Development of PV powered consumer products using future scenarios

Given the high potential of PV technology to reduce the environmental impact of electricity use of consumer products, it would be worthwhile to advance the application of PV systems in mass produced products. To date this field of application has been explored only to a limited extent. For this reason the developers of consumer products, the industrial designers, might be unaware of the possibilities of product-integrated PV systems [1][2]. Their focus on the utility of consumer products might have an added value to existing R&D of PV technology which emphasizes on increased performance and decreased production cost. In the nearby future integration of both points of view might be important to better integrate PV cells in consumer products. Therefore, in this paper, we will assess industrial product design of integrated PV technology in the context of future scenarios. In our project about 25 product designers have conceptually designed products with integrated flexible PV cells within a future scenario. By observing the resulting cases we can evaluate how the design process was established in the framework of integrated technology design, the product phase model and future scenarios. The PV-powered products that will be evaluated are an electronic book, an information bracelet, a floating platform, sports garment and a robotic monitoring device. Each product is supported by visual materials such as renderings and an explanation of the design process based on scenarios

A study into students' interests in industrial design engineering using a gender pattern analysis

This paper describes first year students’ interest and motivation towards the field of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE) at the University of Twente during three years (2002-2004). Data was gathered systematically based on students’ interest to aspects of IDE: technology, styling, ergonomics and marketing. Students’ arguments were analysed with help of a theoretical framework, based on: 1. a basic phase model of product development (I/design-product-use/market) and 2. value patterns (virtuosity, economic, and user/need values). Results show varied and gender patterned interest in the mentioned four aspects of IDE. Significant gender differences were also found in type of arguments students used to motivate their rate of interest. Results of this paper can be used for a didactical educational review. They too may be relevant to enhance insight into the differentiating values of people in design practices

Special issue on advanced applications for smart energy systems considering grid-interactive demand response: editorial

This book covers applied research on smart energy systems, smart grids, smart energy homes, smart energy products and services, and the advanced applications thereof, in the context of demand response and grid interactions. In particular, this book is focused on interdisciplinary research results that combine technical, social, environmental, and economic aspects of smart energy systems and smart energy products. Moreover, several chapters are based on the evaluation of real life cases, energy pilots, prototypes of smart energy products, and end user surveys and interviews