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Abstract: In this paper we undertake a comprehensive study to meet the building heating/cooling and power demand through a sustainable operation. We integrated polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system and triple effect absorption refrigeration system (TEARS) for space cooling/heating and water heating applications in buildings. The analysis is carried out to observe the effects of different operating conditions on the efficiency of the fuel cell, output of the fuel cell and TEARS, and the utilization factor of the system. It is found that the efficiency, the utilization factor, and change in temperature of hot water increases from 36% to 48.8%, 49% to 86%, and 14K to 23K, respectively when the temperature of the cell is increased for different cooling loads and membrane thicknesses. In addition, the increase in membrane thickness affected the efficiency, the utilization factor, and change in temperature of hot water in a negative way and they were found to be decreasing from 47.3% to 42%, 85% to 49%, and 23K to 12K, respectively for different cooling loads. The water supplied to the house is obtained from a geothermal water source which makes the system more sustainable. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: It is well known that it is necessary to insulate the buildings to decrease the thermal demand and to decrease the use of heating and cooling. Due to the high cost of fossil fuels and to the necessity to reduce CO2 emissions, and also due to the new building regulations more attention is paid to the insulation of buildings. Different insulation materials are available in the market. Usually, they are compared by their thermal conductivity and with theoretical calculations, but there are no experimental comparisons available, where the behavior of such insulation materials in a building is compared over time. This is why the authors started a comparison of three typical insulation materials, polyurethane, polystyrene, and mineral wool. For this purpose, four house-like cubicles were constructed (with a size of 2.4m×2.4m×2.4m) and their thermal performance throughout the time was measured. The cubicles were built under a conventional Mediterranean construction system, differing only in the insulation material used. During 2008 and the first months of 2009 the performance of these cubicles was evaluated, and the results are presented in this paper. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper reports on an analytical investigation into the energy saving potential associated with modified comfort limits in transitional spaces in buildings. Such spaces may not require the same high level and close environmental control of more fully occupied spaces and thus a wider variation in conditions and interpretation of thermal comfort may be permitted. Estimations are made of energy saving potential based upon typical floor area proportions utilised for transition spaces of various types in office/commercial buildings. The data are combined with suggested norms for comfort expectation that have wider temperature limits than for normally occupied office zones. The method has been applied to a series of building types situated in the climate of the East Pennines area of the UK using a thermal analysis tool. The results show that useful energy savings (particularly for heating) are possible by allowing for a modest (and realistic) relaxation of prescribed comfort standards in transition spaces. Further work is now required to confirm the limits and assess energy saving in practice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]