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Abstract: From energy statistics (primary energy consumption) and a few Census data (residential buildings floor area) the average specific primary energy use (kWh/m2) of a territorial (Regional or National) building stock may be easily evaluated. However, can we achieve a deeper insight on this building stock using basically the same data bases? This is the question which this paper is aiming at, and the results is an analytical methodology to determine the Statistical Distribution Of residential Buildings according to primary Energy consumption for heating purposes (E-SDOB) at a Regional or National scale. This tool may allow the legislator to define a performance scale for building energy certification, to introduce mandatory measures and incentives for building energy retrofits, to evaluate the potential of new technologies, etc. The main source of data required for determining E-SDOB is still the National Census, but it has to be integrated by energy standards and laws, literature and a few data taken from the authors’ experience and in situ analysis. The results obtained have been compared with those derived from two Italian Regional (Piedmont and Lombardy) energy statistics, with excellent agreement. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, we propose a vision-based system for human detection and activity analysis in indoor environment. The developed presence sensor is based on video analysis, using a static camera. Composed of three main steps, the first one consists in change detection using a background model updated at different levels to manage the most common variations of the environment. Second, a moving objects tracking, based on interest points, is performed. Third, in order to know the nature of the various objects that could be present in the scene, multiple cascades of boosted classifiers are used. The validation protocol, defined by the industrial partners involved in the CAPTHOM project focusing among other things on “Energy Management in Building”, is then detailed. Three applications integrated into the CAPTHOM project illustrate how the developed system can help in collecting useful information for the building management system. Occupancy detection and people counting as well as activity characterization and 3D location extend to a wide variety of buildings technology research areas such as human-centered environmental control including heating adjustment and demand-controlled ventilation, but also security and energy efficient buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper presents a detailed meta-analysis of end and primary energy use for heating, cooling and ventilation of 11 low-energy non-residential buildings and one residential building in Germany that belong to the EnOB research program launched by the German Federal Ministry for Economy. In particular, the analysis emphasizes the substantial impact of auxiliary energy use on the efficiency of heating and cooling performance. The investigated buildings employ environmental energy sources and sinks – such as the ground, ground water, rainwater and the ambient air – in combination with thermo-active building systems. These concepts are promising approaches for slashing the primary energy use of buildings without violating occupant thermal comfort. A limited primary energy use of about 100kWhprim/(m2 neta) as a target for the complete building service technology (HVAC and lighting) was postulated for all buildings presented. With respect to this premise, a comprehensive long-term monitoring in high time resolution was carried out over the course of two to five years, with an accompanying commissioning of the building performance. Measurements include the energy use for heating, cooling, and ventilation, as well as the auxiliary equipment, the performance of the environmental heat source and sink, and local climatic site conditions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]