A new method to energy saving in a micro grid

Optimization of energy production systems is a relevant issue that must be considered in order to follow the fossil fuels consumption reduction policies and CO2 emission regulation. Increasing electricity production from renewable resources (e.g., photovoltaic systems and wind farms) is desirable but its unpredictability is a cause of problems for the main grid stability. A system with multiple energy sources represents an efficient solution, by realizing an interface among renewable energy sources, energy storage systems, and conventional power generators. Direct consequences of multi-energy systems are a wider energy flexibility and benefits for the electric grid, the purpose of this paper is to propose the best technology combination for electricity generation from a mix of renewable energy resources to satisfy the electrical needs. The paper identifies the optimal off-grid option and compares this with conventional grid extension, through the use of HOMER software. The solution obtained shows that a hybrid combination of renewable energy generators at an off-grid location can be a cost-effective alternative to grid extension and it is sustainable, techno-economically viable, and environmentally sound. The results show how this innovative energetic approach can provide a cost reduction in power supply and energy fees of 40% and 25%, respectively, and CO2 emission decrease attained around 18%. Furthermore, the multi-energy system taken as the case study has been optimized through the utilization of three different type of energy storage (Pb-Ac batteries, flywheels, and micro—Compressed Air Energy Storage (C.A.E.S.)

Improving building energy efficiency: case study

The main purpose of this study was to conduct a study for improving energy efficiency of an important building in Rome, the Headquarters of the Italian State Monopoly. The study was conducted by comparing conventional analysis tools with innovative ones, in order to evaluate the possible solutions, both structural and plant, aimed at the use of renewable sources and at energy saving. After making a thermo graphic survey, the first and useful step for a good energy audit, conduct building energy was simulated, at first in steady state by the use of a software widely used at the professional level, then in transient state by the use of TRNSYS, a finite difference method software which is able to simulate more accurately conduct building energy. The next step was to propose possible redevelopment of a structural and energy plant that promotes the building energy rating higher, finding the right balance between the energetic and economic aspect. Among the interventions plant, two possible workarounds have been proposed and designed in detail: - installation of a photovoltaic system; - installation of a solar cooling system. Both solutions lead to a reduction of electricity consumption with a significant impact in economic and environmental term

Solar cooling: a case study

Throughout the years various methods for heat prevention and indoor temperatures control in the summer have been used. The alternative cooling strategies are based on various passive and low energy cooling technologies for protection of the buildings via design measures or special components to moderate the thermal gains, or to reject the excess heat to the ambient environment. All these techniques aim to reduce summer cooling loads and electricity demand for air conditioning. During the summer the demand for electricity increases because of the extensive use of heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) systems, which increase the peak electric load, causing major problems in the electric supply. The energy shortage is worse during ‘dry’ years because of the inability of the hydroelectric power stations to function and cover part of the peak load. The use of solar energy to drive cooling cycles for space conditioning of most buildings is an attractive concept, since the cooling load coincides generally with solar energy availability and therefore cooling requirements of a building are roughly in phase with the solar incidence. Solar cooling systems have the advantage of using absolutely harmless working fluids such as water, or solutions of certain salts. They are energy efficient and environmentally safe. The purpose of this paper is to describe a Solar Cooling System to be installed on the roof of a building in Rome, the headquarters of the State Monopoly. The medium size power plant is composed of the following components: − Solar Collectors; − Thermal Storage Tank; − Absorption Chiller; The plant design is based on a dynamic simulation in TRNSYS, a dynamic simulation tool used by engineers all over the world to make energy calculations in a transient state

Energy study of a non-residential and historic building in transient conditions

The purpose of this manuscript is to analyse the interventions of energy retrofit of a non-residential and historic building, through dynamic simulation by the use of the TRNsys code. The study is made up of some steps: - the analysis of the building and utility data, including study of the installed equipment and analysis of energy bills; - the survey of the real operating conditions; - the selection and the evaluation of energy conservation measures; - the identification of interventions of energy retrofit; - TRNsys simulation of the effects of these interventions on the energy behaviour of the building. The present paper aims to present the results of the study, to discuss the expected energy behaviour of the building and to comment on the options for introducing energy conservation technique

A new tri-generation system: thermodynamical analysis of a micro compressed air energy storage

There is a growing interest in the electrical energy storage system, especially for matching intermittent sources of renewable energy with customers’ demand. Furthermore, it is possible, with these system, to level the absorption peak of the electric network (peak shaving) and the advantage of separating the production phase from the exertion phase (time shift). CAES (compressed air energy storage systems) are one of the most promising technologies of this field, because they are characterized by a high reliability, low environmental impact and a remarkable energy density. The main disadvantage of big systems is that they depend on geological formations which are necessary to the storage. The micro-CAES system, with a rigid storage vessel, guarantees a high portability of the system and a higher adaptability even with distributed or stand-alone energy productions. This article carries out a thermodynamical and energy analysis of the micro-CAES system, as a result of the mathematical model created in a Matlab/Simulink® environment. New ideas will be discussed, as the one concerning the quasi-isothermal compression/expansion, through the exertion of a biphasic mixture, that will increase the total system efficiency and enable a combined production of electric, thermal and refrigeration energies. The exergy analysis of the results provided by the simulation of the model reports that more than one third of the exergy input to the system is lost. This is something promising for the development of an experimental device

Riqualificazione energetica dell’edificio sede della Direzione Generale della Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato (A.A.M.S.)

Il problema energetico continua a crescere di intensità ed è ormai campo di confronto per molti settori anche non prettamente tecnico- scientifici. Lo studio e la ricerca sono sempre più multidisciplinari e le iniziative e le creazioni con finalità ecologico-ambientali sono sempre più frequenti e ben viste dalla collettività. L’edilizia non è estranea al vivo interesse verso questa problematica, anzi alla luce dei forti consumi che genera, è tra i settori più attivi in merito. L’efficienza energetica è al pari di altri aspetti costruttivi una dotazione indispensabile di ogni edificio che sia da realizzarsi o preesistente. Il progetto di una nuova struttura pone delle problematiche non semplici ma in generale meno complesse di quelle che si affrontano durante una riqualificazione energetica, ancor più di edifici con valore storico. Il seguente lavoro vuole studiare come sia possibile oggi sfruttare metodologie di calcolo più complesse di quelle imposte da normative e comune pratica professionale, per analizzare in modo più realistico e preciso il comportamento energetico di edifici per sottoporli a interventi di riqualificazione energetica per il miglioramento dell’efficienza globale e specifica di impianti e strutture. Si ripropone l’intero iter progettuale dalla diagnosi energetica all’analisi economica passando per il calcolo termodinamico in regime transitorio. Quest’ultimo sarà implementato con modellizzazione assistita dal software TRNsys, leader in ambito accademico e non solo. Viene inoltre, per dare più efficacia e concretezza allo studio svolto un test progettuale a 360° su un edificio reale di dimensioni notevoli come la sede centrale dell’AAMS in Piazza Mastai Roma. In quest’ottica si presenterà anche la soluzione della tecnologia LED come nuova ed efficace sostituta delle lampade tradizionali per l’illuminazione degli ambienti . Nello specifico, si è proposto la sostituzione di un impianto tradizionale d’illuminazione con uno con lampade a LED. Si è quindi studiata l’attuale configurazione degli ambienti e delle lampade e la nuova configurazione che si avrebbe con i nuovi apparecchi luminosi, effettuando sia un confronto illuminotecnico che energetico. La complessità, i vincoli architettonici e storici e le scadenti prestazioni energetiche attuali dell’edificio hanno portato ad uno studio ampio e complesso che ha evidenziato risultati interessanti e degni di ulteriori approfondimenti

Riqualificazione energetica dell’edificio sede della Direzione Generale della Amministrazione Autonoma dei Monopoli di Stato (A.A.M.S.)

Il problema energetico continua a crescere di intensità ed è ormai campo di confronto per molti settori anche non prettamente tecnico- scientifici. Lo studio e la ricerca sono sempre più multidisciplinari e le iniziative e le creazioni con finalità ecologico-ambientali sono sempre più frequenti e ben viste dalla collettività. L’edilizia non è estranea al vivo interesse verso questa problematica, anzi alla luce dei forti consumi che genera, è tra i settori più attivi in merito. L’efficienza energetica è al pari di altri aspetti costruttivi una dotazione indispensabile di ogni edificio che sia da realizzarsi o preesistente. Il progetto di una nuova struttura pone delle problematiche non semplici ma in generale meno complesse di quelle che si affrontano durante una riqualificazione energetica, ancor più di edifici con valore storico. Il seguente lavoro vuole studiare come sia possibile oggi sfruttare metodologie di calcolo più complesse di quelle imposte da normative e comune pratica professionale, per analizzare in modo più realistico e preciso il comportamento energetico di edifici per sottoporli a interventi di riqualificazione energetica per il miglioramento dell’efficienza globale e specifica di impianti e strutture. Si ripropone l’intero iter progettuale dalla diagnosi energetica all’analisi economica passando per il calcolo termodinamico in regime transitorio. Quest’ultimo sarà implementato con modellizzazione assistita dal software TRNsys, leader in ambito accademico e non solo. Viene inoltre, per dare più efficacia e concretezza allo studio svolto un test progettuale a 360° su un edificio reale di dimensioni notevoli come la sede centrale dell’AAMS in Piazza Mastai Roma. In quest’ottica si presenterà anche la soluzione della tecnologia LED come nuova ed efficace sostituta delle lampade tradizionali per l’illuminazione degli ambienti . Nello specifico, si è proposto la sostituzione di un impianto tradizionale d’illuminazione con uno con lampade a LED. Si è quindi studiata l’attuale configurazione degli ambienti e delle lampade e la nuova configurazione che si avrebbe con i nuovi apparecchi luminosi, effettuando sia un confronto illuminotecnico che energetico. La complessità, i vincoli architettonici e storici e le scadenti prestazioni energetiche attuali dell’edificio hanno portato ad uno studio ampio e complesso che ha evidenziato risultati interessanti e degni di ulteriori approfondimenti

Disponibilização de Cursos EaD para Programador Web a partir da Abordagem de Cursos Privados e Centrada ao Aluno

Distance learning evolution demands for studies to continuous improvement ofteaching and learning, making the student aware and present in this process. This article deals with the case study of a course that uses approaches Small Private Online Course (SPOC) and student-centered teaching. Thus, we seek to verify the applicability of these concepts as a tool with the Moodle platform, and as a case study of web programming course. Keywords: virtual environment, teacher, task, automation

The characteristics and activities of child and adolescent mental health services in Italy: a regional survey

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>To date, no studies have assessed in detail the characteristics, organisation, and functioning of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). This information gap represents a major limitation for researchers and clinicians because most mental disorders have their onset in childhood or adolescence, and effective interventions can therefore represent a major factor in avoiding chronicity. Interventions and mental health care are delivered by and through services, and not by individual, private clinicians, and drawbacks or limitations of services generally translate in inappropriateness and ineffectiveness of treatments and interventions: therefore information about services is essential to improve the quality of care and ultimately the course and outcome of mental disorders in childhood and adolescence.</p> <p>The present paper reports the results of the first study aimed at providing detailed, updated and comprehensive data on CAMHS of a densely populated Italian region (over 4 million inhabitants) with a target population of 633,725 subjects aged 0-17 years.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Unit Chiefs of all the CAMHS filled in a structured 'Facility Form', with activity data referring to 2008 (data for inpatient facilities referred to 2009), which were then analysed in detail.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Eleven CAMHS were operative, including 110 outpatient units, with a ratio of approximately 20 child psychiatrists and 23 psychologists per 100,000 inhabitants aged 0-17 years. All outpatient units were well equipped and organized and all granted free service access. In 2008, approximately 6% of the target population was in contact with outpatient CAMHS, showing substantial homogeneity across the eleven areas thereby. Most patients in contact in 2008 received a language disorder- or learning disability diagnosis (41%). First-ever contacts accounted for 30% of annual visits across all units. Hospital bed availability was 5 per 100,000 inhabitants aged 0-17 years.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The percentage of young people in contact with CAMHS for mental disorders is in line with those observed in previous epidemiological studies. The overall number of child psychiatrists per 100,000 inhabitants is one of the highest in Europe and it is comparable with the most well equipped areas in the US. This comparison should be interpreted with caution, however, because in Italy, child psychiatrists also treat neurological disorders. Critical areas requiring improvement are: the uneven utilisation of standardised assessment procedures and the limited availability of dedicated emergency services during non-office hours (e.g., nights and holidays).</p

Corruption in Public projects and Megaprojects: There is an elephant in the room!

Despite the relevance of corruption in project selection, planning and delivery, the project management literature pays little attention to this crucial phenomenon. This paper sets the background to foster the discussion concerning how to select, plan and deliver infrastructure in corrupt project contexts. It presents the different types of corruptions and the characteristics of projects that are more likely to suffer from it. Corruption is particularly relevant for large and uncommon projects where the public sector acts as client/owner or even as the main contractor. Megaprojects are “large unique projects” where public actors play a key role and are very likely to be affected by corruption. Corruption worsens both cost and time performance, and the benefits delivered. This paper leverages the institutional theory to introduce the concept of “corrupt project context” and, using the case study of the Italian high-speed railways, shows the impact of a corrupt context on megaprojects