Search

The design of a high energy performance building requires an assessment of the various design options. Energy simulation offers interesting possibilities for clarifying the architect’s decisions at this level, especially in the initial design phases where the greatest opportunities for optimization lie. The aim of this work is to develop an approach for the evaluation and optimal use of energy simulation in the building design phases. To do this, EnergyPlus building simulation software was used to simulate the energy consumption of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering building at “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University in Iasi, in order to identify the factors influencing energy consumption in buildings. The results of this study show that an increase in the cooling setpoint temperature from 22 °C to 28 °C in the roof construction can reduce operating temperatures by 14.2% and 20.0%, respectively. This optimization could significantly reduce the hours of thermal discomfort, in a ratio of 6.0 and 3.25, respectively. Consequently, optimizing parameters linked to design and the heating and cooling systems within the building makes it possible to achieve energy savings and ensure thermal comfort in buildings.

The design of a high energy performance building requires an assessment of the various design options. Energy simulation offers interesting possibilities for clarifying the architect's decisions at this level, especially in the initial design phases where the greatest opportunities for optimization lie. The aim of this work is to develop an approach for the evaluation and optimal use of energy simulation in the building design phases. To do this, EnergyPlus building simulation software was used to simulate the energy consumption of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering building at "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University in Iasi, in order to identify the factors influencing energy consumption in buildings. The results of this study show that an increase in the cooling setpoint temperature from 22 °C to 28 °C in the roof construction can reduce operating temperatures by 14.2% and 20.0%, respectively. This optimization could significantly reduce the hours of thermal discomfort, in a ratio of 6.0 and 3.25, respectively. Consequently, optimizing parameters linked to design and the heating and cooling systems within the building makes it possible to achieve energy savings and ensure thermal comfort in buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Around the world, with a significant increase in installed capacity each year, wind power is one of the most profitable forms of renewable energy. In this study, three commercial wind turbines, namely Bonus 300kW/33, Bonus 1MW/54 and Vestas 2MW/80, were selected as large-scale wind power conversion systems (WECS) for the technical evaluation of production electricity for the N'Djamena site in Chad. The economic evaluations of these three WECS for power generation are calculated using the Cost Calculation Technique (PVC). Thus, the results obtained show that the highest capacity factor is 15.29% with Bonus 1MW/54 while the lowest at 11.39% with Bonus 300kW/33. The minimum average cost per kWh is 23 US$ / kWh with the 1 MW/54 Bonus, while the highest cost is 33.8 US$ / kWh with a Bonus of 300 kW / 33.

The use of electric buses is increasing all over the world; this is due to the aim of limiting pollution in heavily urbanized areas. Using electric buses is one element of the desire to drop local pollution to zero emissions. The necessary electricity can be generated through centralized production, and in the case of electric buses, the pollution level is directly proportional to the amount of electricity produced. Their limited onboard power needs optimization, both in terms of traction and in auxiliary energy consumption. Heating in electric buses consumes the most energy from the auxiliaries, which can reduce the range of the vehicle up to a half, or more in the coldest days of the winter months. In this context, a precise estimation of heat loss and of the energy necessary for heating electric buses is crucial. Using the heat transfer theory, the heat balance method, and the U-value estimation, this article estimates the heat loss for a typical 12 m electric bus for a harsh winter day. Thermal simulations were made in order to estimate the heat flux through the structure of the bus (windows, walls, roof, and floor). Heat loss components were calculated in order to determine the most affected zones of the bus. The calculated data for the energy necessary to heat the bus were compared with the heating system data from an electric bus. By optimizing the necessary auxiliary energy consumption, the emissions at the source of electricity production will be significantly reduced.

The use of electric buses is increasing all over the world; this is due to the aim of limiting pollution in heavily urbanized areas. Using electric buses is one element of the desire to drop local pollution to zero emissions. The necessary electricity can be generated through centralized production, and in the case of electric buses, the pollution level is directly proportional to the amount of electricity produced. Their limited onboard power needs optimization, both in terms of traction and in auxiliary energy consumption. Heating in electric buses consumes the most energy from the auxiliaries, which can reduce the range of the vehicle up to a half, or more in the coldest days of the winter months. In this context, a precise estimation of heat loss and of the energy necessary for heating electric buses is crucial. Using the heat transfer theory, the heat balance method, and the U-value estimation, this article estimates the heat loss for a typical 12 m electric bus for a harsh winter day. Thermal simulations were made in order to estimate the heat flux through the structure of the bus (windows, walls, roof, and floor). Heat loss components were calculated in order to determine the most affected zones of the bus. The calculated data for the energy necessary to heat the bus were compared with the heating system data from an electric bus. By optimizing the necessary auxiliary energy consumption, the emissions at the source of electricity production will be significantly reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conservative mastectomy is a form of nipple-sparing mastectomy which is emerging as a surgical option for selected breast cancer patients. This technique differs from subcutaneous mastectomy which is well established as a technique for risk reduction but leaves behind a finite remnant of retro-areolar breast tissue. Clinical trials have confirmed the efficacy and safety of breast conservation therapy for smaller localised breast tumors whereby a variable amount of surrounding normal tissue is excised with administration of breast radiotherapy post-operatively. Conservative mastectomy aims to remove all breast tissue with dissection continued into the core of the nipple. However, the indication for conservative mastectomy remains to be defined but generally includes tumors of modest size located at least 2 cm away from the nipple. Patients undergoing conservative mastectomy do not necessarily receive adjuvant radiotherapy and this may only be intra-operative irradiation of the nipple-areola complex (NAC). Preservation of the NAC as part of a skin-sparing mastectomy in patients who might otherwise require standard mastectomy is of unproven safety from an oncologic perspective but is associated with enhanced cosmetic outcomes and quality-of-life. The advent of conservative mastectomy has coincided with a trend for "maximal surgery" with bilateral extirpation of all breast tissue in conjunction with immediate breast reconstruction. It is essential there is no compromise of local recurrence and survival in terms of ipsilateral breast cancer treatment. Further studies are required to clarify the indications for conservative mastectomy and confirm oncologic equivalence to either wide local excision and breast irradiation or conventional/skin-sparing mastectomy with sacrifice of the nipple areola complex.